The Nazarene

Wellbeing Report 

Last week, all parents had the opportunity to join the informative online parenting webinar 'Digital media literacy & safety Webinar' featuring Dr Michael Carr-Gregg and Susan McLean.

 

The online landscape is constantly changing, and Michael and Susan had many important insights to offer. Here is a summary of some of the important information they wanted to share:

 

Understanding the New Social Media Regulations – Age changes

•Proposed minimum age of 16 for social media is widely debated. 

• Experts, including Susan and Michael, argue that the policy lacks consultation and is difficult to enforce. 

• Concerns raised about limiting teen communication without viable alternatives. 

• A more practical approach might be aligning with existing Child Online Privacy Protection laws (age 13). 

 

School Phone Ban – Is it Effective?

• Research shows phone bans in schools have significantly improved learning environments. 

• Schools implementing bans report fewer distractions and improved student focus. 

• Common objections included arguments about self-regulation and tech literacy, but experts emphasise that bans create a safer, more structured learning environment. 

Cyber Bullying – A Growing Issue

• The No.1 non-academic issue schools face daily.

 • Cyber bullying is directly linked to mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, and self-harm. 

• Australia ranks second-highest in cyber bullying rates among OECD countries. 

• While laws exist, enforcement remains inconsistent.

 

Holding Social Media Platforms Accountable

• Platforms are failing to moderate hate speech effectively.

• AI should be used to detect and remove harmful content before it is seen. 

• Politicians criticise social media companies for prioritising profits over safety

Balancing Online Privacy & Cyber Safety

• There is no true anonymity online—authorities can track offenders. 

• Policies on anti-discrimination and online conduct should be clear and enforced.

 

Protecting Teens from Online Scams & Fraud

• Popular scams target teens with fake giveaways, fashion deals, and compromised accounts. 

• Encouraging critical thinking and financial literacy helps teens recognise scams. 

Final Thoughts

• Cyber safety is an ongoing challenge that requires collaboration between parents, schools, and policymakers. 

• Education is key—the more informed parents and students are, the safer they will be online. 

• Encouraging open discussions about online safety and digital risks is crucial for protecting young people.

Our Nazareth SchoolTV website offers a wealth of information on all parenting topics, including a special Cyber Safety Series:

Link:

https://nazareth.vic.schooltv.me/channel-newsletter/315

 

TOPICS INCLUDE:

  • ONLINE GAMING
  • MANAGING SCREEN TIME
  • IMPACT OF GAMBLING
  • INTERNET ADDITION
  • ONLINE PRONOGRAPHY
  • DIGITAL REPUTATION
  • SEXTING
  • SEXTORTION
  • CYBERBULLYING

Please continue to have non-judgement discussions with your child about their online habits, and should you have specific concerns that you feel we should know about, please contact your child’s Pastoral Teacher as the first port of call. 

 

Ms Jackie Kol

Director of Wellbeing