Digital Learning

Empowering Hillsmeade Families: Managing Home Internet and Children's Screen Time

In today's digital age, children's access to the internet presents both opportunities and challenges for parents and carers within our Hillsmeade community. Understanding how to manage home internet usage effectively and setting appropriate screen time limits are crucial steps in fostering a healthy digital environment for our children.​

Recommended Screen Time for Primary School Children

Guidelines on appropriate screen time for children vary, but several health organisations offer recommendations:​PMC+2Wikipedia+2OSF HealthCare+2

• Children aged 2 to 5 years: Limit screen time to one hour per day of high-quality programming. ​Wikipedia+6Mayo Clinic+6Eye Health & Vision Care+6
• Children aged 6 to 12 years: No more than two hours of recreational screen time daily. ​PMC

Excessive screen time has been associated with various health issues, including obesity, sleep disturbances, and behavioural problems. Balancing screen use with physical activity, homework, and family interactions is essential to promote overall well-being.​Twinkl+6Wikipedia+6OSF HealthCare+6

Managing Home Internet with Telstra, Optus, and TPG

Our community members using Telstra, Optus, or TPG services have access to tools that can help manage and monitor their children's internet usage:​

• Telstra: Offers 'Telstra Mobile Protect,' a free set of tools accessible through your account page on the Telstra website. This service allows you to set parental controls on any phone number associated with your account, including options to limit access to certain websites and to set data curfews for school nights. ​WhistleOut
• Optus: Introduced 'Optus Pause,' a feature that lets you pause the data connection on your Optus mobile or home internet plan with just a tap. This helps you temporarily disconnect connected devices for a specific period or as long as you want, encouraging family time and reducing screen distractions. ​Compare Broadband
• TPG: Provides guidance on implementing parental controls and web filtering through their modems. It's important to note that parental controls will not work if the child's device is not accessing the internet directly through your modem via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. ​YouTubeTPG Support

Resources for Setting Up Parental Controls

To assist parents and carers in configuring these settings, here are some resources:​

• Optus Modems: A step-by-step video guide enabling parental controls and web filtering.​YouTube

• iPhone Devices: A comprehensive guide on setting up parental controls on iPhones, including preventing access to explicit content and restricting apps. ​WhistleOut

Engaging in Open Discussions

Beyond technological measures, it is vital to foster open discussions with children about their online activities. Please encourage them to share their experiences and educate about potential online risks. Building trust ensures they feel comfortable seeking guidance when needed.​Mayo Clinic+1The Guardian+1thesun.ie

By utilising available tools and maintaining open communication, we can create a safe and balanced digital environment for our children, supporting their growth and well-being in the digital world.