Cyber Safety for your Child

What apps is your child using?

The minimum age to open an account on nearly every social media platform—TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Kik, YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook, and more— is 13.
(Ref: eSafety Commissioner)
On 29 November 2024, the Australian Parliament passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024. The Bill sets 16 as the minimum age for social media access, requiring age restricted social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent underage users from having social media accounts.
(Ref: https://engage.vic.gov.au/safesocials)

What is Cyber bullying?

Cyberbullying is when someone is mean to a child or young person under 18 online so they feel bad or upset. It can happen on a social media site, game, app, or any other online or electronic service or platform. It can include: posts, comments, texts, messages, chats, livestreams, memes, images, videos and emails.

These are some examples of ways the internet can be used to make someone feel bad or upset:

Sending hurtful messages about them or to them.
Sharing embarrassing photos or videos of them, including sexual content.
Recording and sharing physical abuse, violence or harassment.
Spreading nasty online gossip about them.
Leaving them out online.
Creating fake accounts in their name.
Tricking them into believing you are someone else.

You think your child is being bullied on-line?

Your child may not tell you if they are experiencing bullying behaviour online because of a fear it might make things worse for them, or that they may lose access to their devices and the internet. They may also feel ashamed, especially if they have also been involved in bullying others online.

Signs to watch for:

Being upset after using the internet or their devices, such as mobile phones.
Changes in personality, such as becoming more withdrawn, anxious, sad or angry.
Appearing lonelier or more distressed.
Unexpected changes in friendship groups.
A slide in their school results.
Changes in their sleep patterns.
Avoiding school or clubs.
A decline in their physical health.
Becoming secretive about their online activities and device use.

For further information on:

go to https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice/cyberbullying

How Can Parents Help?

(Extract from our school Acceptable Use Agreement 2025)

SMOKING / VAPING is banned in and around Schools

Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is banned within the school grounds and within four metres of an entrance to all primary and secondary schools, childcare centres and kindergartens in Victoria under an amendment to the Tobacco Act 1987.

The smoking ban applies to:

anyone present on school premises during and after school hours including students, teachers, contractors, parents/guardians or the wider community, such as sporting groups.
all activities that take place on school premises including pre-schools, kindergartens, outside school hours care, cultural, sporting or recreational activities and school fetes.

Food for Thought:

Regards

Angelika Ireland

Community

Genesis Music School