Keep informed about what your child is accessing online
Stay in the loop with ICT
Access to the internet has changed the way we communicate and learn. There's no denying the immense impact that instant access to information has on our daily lives. We can get a location, opening times, phone numbers, up to date information on a myriad of topics instantly - and it's only getting bigger and faster.
Like all of us, our children are drawn to the fast responses, engaging imagery and exciting gameplay too. As parents, we monitor our children on playgrounds, making sure the environment is safe, and that they are less likely to hurt themselves. The same care and attention needs to happen to online environments that your children are immersing themselves in. It's important to know the parental controls that you can set up, to put invisible boundaries in place to protect your child. It's even more important to talk to your children constantly, know what they are doing and who they are talking to online. It's essential to their well-being and digital citizenship that they know how to make appropriate choices, and how to keep themselves safe. We can't take the internet away and we don't want to either - the internet itself isn't bad, when used appropriately and respectfully it's a great tool at our fingertips.
At school, your child will participate in e-learning programs through the Cyber Safety Project. We encourage you to go check out their website and look at the parent tools available to you. You can access the site here https://cybersafetyproject.com.au/families/
Additionally, a great resource for you is the e-Safety Commissioner website which is full of resources to support parents and their children to make good decisions online. You can access the website here https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents
One of the great resources available via this website is up-to-date information regarding gaming apps and platforms as they rise in popularity. You can get information on what information the game is requesting, what parental controls are available to you, which ages the game is appropriate for, and whether there are any security concerns with the app or game.
No matter the age of your child, if you're giving them access to the internet through watching YouTube videos, engaging with gameplay or video-calling friends and family, it's important to start teaching discerning internet use. When our children are quiet, and reluctant to tell us what they're doing, experience tells us that means trouble - it's the same in an online world!
Like all learning in these formative years, we partner with you to share the education journey. We can't do it alone, we need you - and we will support you and your child along the journey.
Kasey Thorne
Assistant Principal