Assistant Principal's page 

Respect, Responsibility, Reputation – Online Safety

Cheyenne and I recently attended the ‘Resilient Kids Conference’.  This is a yearly event held on a Saturday and is always a wealth of insight and knowledge.  Susan Mclean, one of the leading experts on cyber safety, presented and wow, was her presentation powerful!  Below are some of the things that she said.

When talking with children about being online it is important to explain what respect for body, self and others means. It is also important to explore what responsible online use looks like and to emphasise the importance of reputation, remembering that once something is posted online it is hard to properly delete.

Other advice she gave included:

• Keep children off online platforms for as long as possible.
• Make sure that you as the parent/guardian understand the ‘terms and conditions.’
• Make sure that you know the age restrictions of all apps.  Note: all social media platforms are 13+.
• Do not allow digital devices in bedrooms or bathrooms.
• Talk with your children about ‘yes’ photos and ‘no’ photos when it comes to posting images online. This includes things like using images of friends and family members, not taking photos of themselves or others in school uniform, not including the location of where photos have been taken etc. 
• Ensure that you and your children personally know all people that they are interacting with online. 

Next week I will be including links and more information about online safety.  In the meantime, I encourage you to continue to do your own research and stay up to date in this space.  It is so important that as adults we are informed.  Technology is changing so rapidly and the safety of our children is paramount. 

Until next time,

Julie Reid   -  Assistant Principal, Wellbeing and Inclusion