Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week, I am delighted to share some wonderful news regarding the school’s P & F arising from Tuesday night’s parent meeting. I am pleased to announce that Andy Carr and Catherine Kemsley have stepped forward as our new Presidents, and Angela Manahan will be taking on the role of Treasurer. Francesca Barron will continue as our Secretary. A heartfelt thank you to all parents who, while unable to commit to these executive roles, have pledged their support in various other ways. This truly highlights the incredible spirit of the St Margaret Mary's community.

As many of you already know, I will be taking leave for the last two weeks of term. Mr. O’Donnell turned 60 at the beginning of March, and we are taking a little road trip around Tasmania to celebrate this significant milestone. I am confident the school will be in capable hands with Mrs. Guardiscione and our acting principal, Mr. Joseph Payne. As this will be my last newsletter for the term, I take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy, safe, and holy Easter and to thank you for your ongoing support.

This issue of the Parenting Toolbox by Michael Grose is longer than usual. However I encourage you to set aside some time to read this Comprehensive Digital Guide that can help you to help your kids become safe and savvy digital users.

Raising Well-adjusted Kids in a Digitally-dominant World: A Comprehensive Guide.

Unlock Digital Parenting Success: 10 Tools for Raising Digitally-Smart Kids

Ten-year-old Lily sat hunched on the living room floor; the flickering light of her tablet illuminated her face. Her fingers danced across the screen, navigating a virtual world filled with colourful characters and exciting challenges. Sarah and Mark, her parents, watched from the kitchen, a familiar knot tightening in their stomachs. Once a bubbly, imaginative child, Lily was increasingly withdrawn, her world shrinking to the confines of that glowing rectangle. They’d tried setting limits, but the ensuing tantrums and the constant tug-of-war exhausted them. Worse, they weren’t sure they were on the right track.

One evening, as Lily’s screen dimmed and she finally looked up, her eyes were filled with a quiet sadness. "Everyone else has more," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "More games, more friends, more… everything." That whispered secret, a glimpse into the hidden pressures of a digital childhood, served as a stark wake-up call for Sarah and Mark and countless parents navigating the complex landscape of raising happy kids in a digital world.

The digital age has brought incredible opportunities for learning and connection, but it also presents unique challenges for primary school-aged children and their parents. These formative years are essential for building social skills, emotional resilience, and a healthy sense of self, which can be significantly affected by technology's widespread influence.

It’s like the Wild West - the key challenges for parents raising kids in a digitally dominant world. Challenges come with the parenting territory. It always has and always will. But the current digital age throws up challenges that previous generations didn’t face, including:

1. “Don’t fence me in!”

Striking a balance between allowing children to explore technology and preventing excessive screen time is a constant struggle. Parents often grapple with guilt, fearing they are depriving their children of essential experiences, or they feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of digital content.

2. “Keeping the baddies at bay!”

The internet's anonymity can embolden bullies, and children may encounter inappropriate content or harmful interactions. Parents must navigate the complex online safety landscape, teaching their children how to protect themselves and fostering open communication about their online experiences.

3. “Fighting FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).”

Social media platforms, even those designed for younger audiences, can so often fuel feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. Former US President Theodore Roosevelt famously said, “Comparison is the thief of joy!” Absolutely. It's unsettling in the digital age when kids are inundated with curated images showcasing seemingly perfect lives, which fosters unrealistic expectations and a continual craving for validation.

4. “It’s time to meet face-to-face.”.

Excessive screen time detracts from face-to-face interactions, impacting children's ability to develop essential social skills, empathy, and emotional intelligence. It may not seem like a major issue, but it is significant during a child’s formative years, when they learn a variety of social skills that they will use in adulthood.

5. “So, what are you doing now?”

Keeping an eye on children’s online activities and behaviours is challenging yet essential. Parents must ensure that the content their kids access is safe for their age. They must also teach their children about online privacy and protecting personal information.

It’s hard - Key challenges for children. It’s not just parents who struggle with the Digital Age. Children, too, experience challenges that previous generations didn’t meet, including:

1. “I can’t concentrate.”

The constant stimulation of digital devices can make it difficult for children to focus on tasks that require sustained attention, such as schoolwork or reading. Research suggests that increased use of digital devices and media, mainly social media apps, can harm children's and adolescents' attention span and focusing abilities.

2. “Mum, I can’t get to sleep.”

The blue light on the screens can interfere with sleep patterns, leading to fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Exposure to blue light, particularly before bedtime, disrupts sleep by suppressing melatonin production, a hormone that regulates sleep, which may delay sleep onset and reduce sleep quality.

3. “I Feel So…..Mad…all…the…Time!”

It’s well documented that many children struggle to regulate their emotions when exposed to upsetting content or negative online interactions. Screen time can also negatively affect social and emotional development by reducing the quality of parent-child interaction and potentially leading to social isolation.

4. “I’m not good enough.”

It can be heartbreaking! The pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards and constant exposure to filtered images on digital devices can adversely affect children's body image and self-esteem. Studies show that girls are more likely to be affected by negative body image due to the prevalence of beauty standards and social comparison on social media. However, increasingly, boys’ body image is negatively impacted due to photos and messages they receive digitally.

5. “No, I’ve got to play on my computer”.

Some children develop an unhealthy dependence on digital devices, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when deprived of them. Early research into the area of digital dependency shows disturbing similarities to other types of addictions, including gambling and drug addictions. Like substance use disorders and gambling addiction, technology addiction is characterized by single-minded preoccupation, mood changes, the development of tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and social problems.

Practical Solutions for Parents are at Hand.

When confronted by something as overwhelming and ever-changing as the digital world, throwing our parental hands in despair is easy. But it won’t cut it if you want kids to be safe and savvy. Here are ten practical tools to add to your toolbox to keep your digital kids safe (and smart) in the online world:

1. “These are the limits.” (Boundaries)

It may seem old school, but limits and boundaries, like marking and kicking in Australian Rules or passing in Rugby League- are the basics to get right. Set specific limits on screen time, designate screen-free zones and times, and consistently enforce these rules. Involve your children in creating these rules to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility.

2. “Do as I do, not what I say” (Modelling)

Imitation is the prime learning mode for children, coming way before your wise words and instructions in the learning hierarchy. So, consciously model and show rather than tell your kids to live smartly in a digitally-dominant world. Start by putting away your devices during mealtimes and family activities and demonstrating a balanced approach to technology use.

3. “Everything is in moderation” (Balance)

Everything we do comes with a cost. Too much time in front of a digital device means less time spent elsewhere. Encourage/coax/persuade your kids to become involved in offline activities. Promote outdoor play, creative hobbies, and social interactions with friends and family. Engage in activities such as board games, sports, or nature walks. There are so many alternatives to the digital world to explore.

4. “I’ve something I want to tell you about?” (Education)

Teach kids about online safety. They may work things out for themselves, but I wouldn’t count on it! Teach them about cyberbullying, online predators, and the importance of protecting their personal information. How can they recognise cyberbullying? What should they do? These are essential aspects to cover. Emphasize the need to report any concerning online interactions to a trusted adult.

5. “We can talk about anything.” (Open Communication)

Foster open communication in your family. Create rituals such as mealtimes that bring you together for a purpose and enjoyment. This will help create the conditions for good, honest conversations about the things that matter. Listen attentively and guide without judgment. Yep, keep the judgement down if you want them to open up. Nothing closes down a conversation with a child or teen quicker than a parental cry of “You did WHAT?”

6. “There’s a tool for that!” (Parental controls)

Thankfully, the recent development of a range of parental control apps has given some control back to parents. Explore and use parental control apps and software to filter content, monitor screen time, and restrict access to certain websites or apps. While parental controls don’t replace real-time monitoring and parental curiosity as your key tools for monitoring your kids’ activities, they offer security that can be used in situations beyond your control.

7. “Think it through!” (Critical thinking)

To say the online world is not necessarily a reliable source of accurate information is stating the obvious. Use the CRAP method to help them see through the……crap online. That is, Is the information they read Current?Is it Reliable? Who is the Authority? What’s the Purpose? Introduce the CRAP concepts in an age-appropriate way for your child to promote critical thinking and an awareness of the potential for misinformation and manipulation online.

8. “How would you like that to happen to you?” (Empathy)

The impersonal nature of the digital world makes it a haven for bullies and the nasty-minded. Conversely, it’s easy for your children to be less than kind or dismiss others’ feelings when communicating online. It helps teach your children the importance of online etiquette and respectful communication. Encourage them to always be mindful of the impact of their words and actions on others, whether spoken face-to-face or indirectly through a text or video.

9. “Talk with them.” (Face-to-face connections)

Sadly, many kids prefer communicating digitally rather than speaking directly to friends. It’s easier, uses less energy, and requires fewer social skills. And if practised consistently, digital communication becomes a child’s default method of socialising, inhibiting their future social progress. Facilitating opportunities for face-to-face interactions with friends and family is essential. Encourage/persuade/insist that your child participates in extracurricular activities and community events. This is an excellent insulator against loneliness and social disconnection.

10. “You can handle this…. with a little help.” (Help-seeking)

Undoubtedly, the digitally-dominated world your child is entering will require a special type of resilience. They will need to be able to cope with online challenges such as cyberbullying or unfavourable social comparisons. It is essential that you:

•  Teach them to recognise and manage their emotions.

• Help them develop help-seeking behaviours.

• Lend a supportive shoulder when things go wrong.

• Stay connected as a family.

• Let your child know that everything will pass, even nasty stuff that can happen online.

Raising happy kids in a digitally-dominated world requires a proactive and balanced approach. It’s about empowering children to navigate the digital landscape safely and responsibly while maintaining strong connections to the real world. By establishing clear boundaries, fostering open communication, and prioritizing real-world experiences, parents can help their children develop the skills and resilience they need to thrive in the digital age.

Like Sarah and Mark, you must be open to learning, adapting, and, most importantly, listening to your children, ensuring that the glowing screen doesn't overshadow the warmth of a loving and supportive family.