MDHS MESSENGER

From the Chaplains Desk

Digital technology and Online Safety

 

Digital technology has many benefits for our children but it has also brought about the potential for a number of negative experiences that can be hurtful and damaging.

Did you know that cyberbullying can begin as young as the age of 5 or that most kids have seen pornography by age 12, that one 1 in 5 students have been cyberbullied in the last month and that the number 1 reason young people cyberbully is for entertainment purposes……..I kid you not! And If your child experienced cyberbullying and came to you for help I wonder, would you know what to do or where you could go for help?

It is a necessity that we are informed and able to navigate this digital world. You as parents and carers know your child better than anyone and have the best opportunity to support and guide them to have safer online experiences and there are some great resources out there to guide you.

If you head to www.eSafety.gov.au  you will find lots of helpful information. A great parent guide that can be downloaded, fact sheets and tips on how to communicate with your child on this issue. Being informed and talking about this topic with our kids will go a long way to ensure they have positive online experiences. It will also help us to know how to respond in the event of negative experiences such as cyberbullying.

So, www.eSafety.gov.au get on it!

 

How to Report Cyberbullying

  1.  Report the cyberbullying material to the social media service
  2. Collect evidence - copy URLs or take screen shots of the material
  3. If the content is not removed within 48 hours
  4.  Report it to safety.gov.au/reportcyberbullying
  5. Block the person and talk to someone you trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

If you would like to catch up with me regarding this information or any other pastoral matter please contact me at school Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

 Alternatively you can email me at Allison.Nixon@education.wa.edu.au