Mental Health and Wellbeing
Being Online & Screen Time
Dear Families,
Recently, our students in Years Four, Five, and Six participated in the Attitudes to School Survey. As part of my responsibilities, I analyse the survey results and consider strategies to support their mental health and wellbeing. One aspect that stood out was related to the use of electronic devices. Over time, I have observed a trend of increasing screen time among students. While there are many benefits associated with technology use, I also reflect on the potential impact of screen time on wellbeing.
As a parent, managing my children's screen time at home has often presented challenges. I have continually considered how best to support them and foster their ability to manage this independently as they grow older. My youngest son, Monty, is now 18 years old, and screen time remains a topic of thought. However, he is an adult now, and I hope that the guidance and habits developed over the years have equipped him to handle this responsibly, which he seems to be doing well.
I encourage you to reflect on your children and their screen time habits. Is there an opportunity to approach this differently? Might you consider trying new strategies? How could you include your children in these conversations? Alternatively, if you are satisfied with your child's screen time, that is also valid. While there may not be definitive answers to these questions, I believe small adjustments can lead to positive outcomes.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Andy McNeilly
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader
