St. Martin de Porres Primary School

Digital Technology News

Cyber Safety is an important topic that all students will be discussing in their digital technology lessons this term. 

 

Some of the key messages I will be speaking to the students about are:

  • Thinking about what they post and how their posts or comments can affect others.
  • Talk to a trusted adult and not become a bystander when seeing Cyber Bullying or something that doesn't feel right. 
  • The importance of not sharing personal information online and not talking to people on games who you do not know.
  • Keeping their accounts safe by having strong passwords and not sharing them with their friends or anyone other than parents and teachers.
  • Balancing screen time and 'green time' and knowing that it is important to not always be on technology.

Here are some tips that parents might do to support their children to be safe online.

  • Green time vs screen time. Making sure children have enough green time such as mindful time, moving time, outside time, social time, unstructured time and reading time.
  • Educating yourself with what games your child is playing. The Common Sense Media website is a great resource for understanding if a game or device is right for children to play.
  • Knowing what Apps your child is using. Please note that social media apps such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat have age restrictions and children need to be 13 years or older to use these.
  • Co-playing the game with your child. Playing the video games with your child will help you make an informed decision if the game is appropriate for your child to use.
  • Privacy setting on popular games such as Roblox. Games are very different if played online compared to a solo mode.
  • Supervision. Have children using devices in a shared space rather than their bedrooms.

If you are looking for further information on how you can keep your child safe online I highly recommend reading the blogs from Inform and Empower. 

https://www.informandempower.com.au/parents

 

If you have any questions regarding keeping your child safe using technology, I'm always happy to have a chat and support you.

 

 

Lucas Mangani

Digital Technology Leader