Wellbeing News

Computers in the Home

Since the introduction of the computer program for all Year 7, 8 & 9 students this year, we now have the majority of our junior students and some senior students using computers both at school and at home on a regular basis. These devices are a valuable tool in the classroom and at home, providing a critical communication tool and access to key resources and information. Used well, IT resources enrich students’ educational experience.

In the school setting, we have built a culture of safe and positive internet use both inside and outside the classroom. Students in all Year levels have participated in presentations on cyberbullying, responsible use of the internet and other related topics.  We are aware however that there is a constant need for both teachers and parents to be vigilant in monitoring students’ use of computers, both the amount of time spent on the device and the material they have access to.  We believe that Internet safety is a topic that should be regularly discussed in classrooms, staffrooms and home.

Here are some key messages around internet safety that could help parents help their children.

• Computers need to be in a communal area of the house like the kitchen or lounge room, and don’t allow portable internet devices (laptops, phones, tablets etc.) in the bedroom. You need to be able to “shoulder surf”.
• Find out what your child is doing online. Talk to them regularly about what websites they visit and take the time to sit with them as they use the internet. Make sure you’re familiar with how the sites that they visit work.
• Encourage your child to tell you if they ever have a problem on the internet or if they’re ever unsure about anything. Reassure them that you won’t take away their connection to the internet if issues occur.
• Remind your child to keep personal information private. YAPPY is a useful acronym to remind children of the personal information they should not share on public online spaces (blogs, forums etc.) – Your full name, address, phone number, passwords, your plans.
• Remind your child that not everything on the internet is true and not all internet users tell the truth. There are no internet police however if activities occur on line that you are suspicious of please report it to your local Police for advice.
• Don’t support your child to sign up for sites that are 13+ if they are under age (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram etc.) Make sure your child sets their online accounts to private to limit access to people they know well (when they are old enough to sign up).
• Encourage your child to balance their leisure time so they’re not spending all of their time online. Sleep is vital to teenagers and all devices should be in a parents’ care at 9pm and returned the next day.
• Create your own internet rules and a contract for your household and have your child agree and adhere to them. Devices can be removed if they are unable to abide by them.
• Explore government resources for parents so you can educate yourself and protect your children on the internet. https://www.esafety.gov.au/
• Don’t let potential problems stop you from letting your child use technology for their education and personal interests.

In addition to following these tips, parents might want to install filters on their home computers.

Brooke Mollenkopf

Head of Wellbeing

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