Online Safety – Our Shared Responsibility
Lockleys North Primary School
Online Safety – Our Shared Responsibility
As technology and social media continue to play an increasing role in the lives of young people, helping our children develop safe, respectful and responsible online behaviours has never been more important.
At LNPS, we regularly talk with our students about our school values of Respect, Honesty, Care and Concern, and the Pursuit of Excellence. These values guide how we treat one another, build relationships and contribute to our school community. Importantly, these expectations don't stop at the school gate. They are just as relevant in the online world.
What happens online doesn't always stay online
One of the growing challenges we are seeing in schools is the impact that online interactions can have on friendships, relationships and student wellbeing.
Messages, group chats, comments, images and videos shared outside school hours can quickly become issues that carry over into the classroom or playground. What may begin as a joke or disagreement online can leave students feeling excluded, upset or anxious about coming to school.
These situations can also be particularly difficult for schools to investigate and resolve, especially when conversations occur on personal devices, outside school hours, or when messages and content are no longer available.
While we will always support students when these situations impact their wellbeing and relationships at school, it is important that families also play an active role in understanding and monitoring their child's online activity.
Building responsible digital citizens
Our goal is not simply to teach students how to stay safe online, but to help them develop the judgement, empathy and responsibility to make positive choices.
We encourage families to have regular conversations with their children about:
Treating others online with the same respect and kindness they would show face-to-face.
Thinking carefully before posting, commenting or sharing images and messages.
Understanding that online actions can have real consequences for others.
Respecting the privacy of others and seeking permission before sharing images or videos.
Knowing when to seek help from a trusted adult if something online makes them uncomfortable or upset.
Recent Australian legislation also requires certain social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat, to take reasonable steps to prevent children under 16 from holding accounts. This provides another important opportunity for families to discuss age-appropriate technology use and online safety.
Working together
We have recently been having conversations with our senior students about online safety, respectful behaviour and the responsibility they have for their choices online. We are also exploring opportunities to engage an external presenter to further support student understanding, along with the possibility of a parent information session.
As parents and educators, we have a shared responsibility to help children navigate an increasingly complex digital world. This includes setting clear expectations, taking an interest in their online experiences and providing guidance when things don't go as planned.
At LNPS, we want our students to be respectful, responsible and caring members of our community, whether they are learning in the classroom, playing in the yard or interacting online.
Ultimately, the same values that make us good friends, classmates and community members should guide who we are online.
Helpful resources for families