Student wellbeing
Online Safety
Although there are many benefits of online access, there are also risks like inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and online predators.
Important tips for E-safety include:
- ime online together to teach appropriate online behaviour
- Keep the device in a common area where you can watch and monitor
- Bookmark children’s favourite sites for easy access
- Never agree to get together in-person with anyone met online without parent approval and/or supervision
- Never post or trade personal pictures or reveal personal information
- Always inform trusted adult about any communication that is scary, hurtful or threatening
- Turn on safe search settings to help hide inappropriate results
- Use parental control
- Turn off location services in all apps
- Avoid clicking on unknown pop-ups while you are online
- Beware of online scams and avoid clicking on any unknown links
With Artificial Intelligence (AI) all over the headlines, we know it has benefitted a lot of people but we cannot disregard its disadvantages. One needs to be highly cautious when involved with artificial intelligence usage. It brings in various ethical concerns about privacy and security causing potential harm to one’s online safety. Online safety is also at risk if AI is misused for malicious purposes, such as cyberattacks or creation of deep fake content.
Undoubtedly, any risk to online safety and online presence can impact one’s mental health. It is very important for all of us as a community to be diligent uses of AI and make our online presence do more benefit to oneself and others than cause risk or harm.
As we mark an end to this wonderful year, we wish you a happy festive season and a very Merry Christmas! Here’s to spending more time with your loved ones and judiciously managing your screen time!
We look forward to seeing the students and their families back in 2024 after a restful holiday! Good luck!
Kind Regards,
Sue Bassett and Nitleen Kaur
Student Counsellors