Digital Technology News

Hi everyone,

I am taking over the role of Digital Technology Leader at our school this year. Thanks to Janice for doing such a wonderful job over the last couple of years before starting her maternity leave.

One of many concerns we have as teachers is that we worry about the amount of “screen time” children engage in with technology at home. Often we lead very busy lives, so it can be easy to let our children use the internet or play video games as we try to manage the chores that need to be done to keep the home running smoothly. Consequently, children can come in to school the next day feeling tired and lethargic which will impact on their ability to learn and engage in work tasks in the classroom, as well as affect their relationships with their peers and teachers.

According to the website https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/, around 60 percent of children find it difficult to sleep if they are using technology right up until bedtime. The “Blue Light Effect” from the screen they are viewing often keeps their brain very active for extended periods of time.

There are three things you can do to reduce the impact of “screen time” for your children:

Change the light settings on your phone or tablet. Many phones and tablets have a night time setting, which will change the type of light emitted from the screen. This can greatly reduce the effects of using technology for extended periods of time.

Make sure your children are not using technology for at least an hour before bedtime. This will give them time to prepare their mind for sleep, and as we all know, sleep is very important because it gives our body and mind a chance to reset and refresh for the following day. Young children need a good 8-10 hours of quality sleep every night (and it doesn’t hurt adults either!). We want your children to be in the best condition so that they can gain the most from their learning time during the day.

Set up a timetable or schedule at home that factors in “screen time” as part of their daily routine, and try to keep the use to a maximum of an hour. You can also set the example by making sure you use your phone or tablet for short periods of time, and put it down or even switch it off to spend time with your family.

If we keep these things in mind, it will go a long way in supporting our children to understand how technology can impact on their wellbeing.

Many thanks,

Simon Taylor

Digital Technology Leader