Building Trust and Curiosity Supporting Our Teens as a Team in a Changing Online World.
As a school community, we are committed to helping our young people grow into kind, curious, and resilient individuals. In recent months, there has been growing concern about the rise of negative and harmful online content targeting teens, particularly teen boys and the spread of messages that promote division and disrespect.
These messages can deeply influence how our students think, feel, and interact with others. However, by staying open, informed, and united, we can empower our teens to think critically and compassionately about the content they encounter online improving outcomes for everyone.
With the social media age verification and delay measures on the horizon, we encourage all parents and carers to take time to talk with your teens about their online experiences and digital footprint. Staying curious, engaged, and involved in your teen’s online world strengthens trust, communication, and connection. Consider where you sit on this journey before and after exploring the resources below.
Open, non-judgmental conversations remain one of the most effective ways to build understanding and trust. The strength of our school community lies in the partnership between families and school staff and together, we can help our young people navigate this rapidly changing digital landscape with confidence and care.
To help guide these conversations, we recommend watching the following ABC and BTN resources, which explore how online influencers and the “manosphere” are shaping young people’s attitudes and beliefs:
- How the ‘manosphere’ is fuelling teen misogyny inside Australian schools | ABC Compass
- How is hyper-masculine content affecting Australian teens? | BTN High
- Masculinity and modelling respect for young boys | with Daniel Principe
Helpful Resources
- eSafety Commissioner — Tips and advice for parents on online safety and digital wellbeing.
- The Man Cave — Programs and tools that support boys in developing healthy masculinity.
- ReachOut — Practical information and support for young people and parents.
Headspace — Mental health and wellbeing services for young people.
Together, we can continue to build a culture of trust, openness, and curiosity, one that helps our students grow into discerning, respectful, and empathetic young adults. Thank you for partnering with us in this important work.