Technology Ne

Social Media

With new bans possibly coming in regarding the age of social media use, it is the perfect time to discuss the issue of primary school students having accounts on social media sites.

Once your child reaches the upper end of primary school they will start to feel the pressure from other peers to engage in a form of social media. If they have older siblings or friends this may start even earlier.

As teachers we know that much of the negative interaction our students have is when they communicate unsupervised online. The ‘action and consequence’ understanding can take a longer time to develop in some children and their curiosity over-rides the idea that there will be any negative outcomes to their actions. This may lead them to say things online they wouldn’t otherwise say in real-life, search for things they would not ask others about and take risks they wouldn’t in the real world. Younger children who are exposed to social media early may also become adept at hiding their actions from their parents which will cause drama later in their teenage years.

Numerous studies link excessive social media use with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem in children. The pressure to conform, gain likes, and manage online personas can be overwhelming for young minds. Children are also often unaware of the cybersecurity risks they face online. This includes exposure to cyberbullying, scams, false news and inappropriate content. We know that phishing and extortion is costing some children their lives and that what goes online stays there forever.

Children under the age of 13 should not have accounts on Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, Instagram, Reddit, Facebook or any social media site. It is very clear, even in their own policies, that users under this age will not be protected. YouTube with the highest safety settings will still allow videos through that are inappropriate for younger children.

The exposure of your child to inappropriate content, safety risks or cyberbullying in these platforms is not a case of ‘if’ but ‘when’. It’s also important to remember If your child is found to be an instigator of an online offense when they are under the age of 13, that parents can now be found liable.

Remember: your child will be ok if they cannot access their friends through social media – although they may tell you it is the end of the world! It can be hard for children whose friendship groups revolve around online interaction but it is also not a healthy relationship if it relies upon online chat. Ask your child ‘Why do feel like you need to have a social media account?’ and dig into what is behind the feelings and insecurities.

There are plenty of offline activities where your child can engage with others. Plan play-dates with the friends they are desperate to talk to. Have a look at clubs, after-school sport activities, Scouts etc. Check out the Ballarat Library website to see what activities they have on, free for all ages.

As both teachers and parents let’s work together to keep our children safe in an increasingly online world. As always if you would like more information or need help with anything online please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs. Wall.