Together for a better internet
Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Whatsapp—the proliferation of social media platforms has resulted in young people being connected twenty-four hours a day. Schoolyard arguments continue to bubble away as slights and grievances are carried from the classroom to the bedroom. Disagreements between two classmates move from the private to the public arena as an ever-increasing number of bystanders choose to become involved in matters that do not concern them. No wonder that, sometimes, we nostalgically look back at a time when children’s technological communications were limited to the family landline sitting on a small table in the hallway.
However, social media is here to stay and despite all the bad press, it can be a powerful tool when used positively—students stuck on homework problems can access instant help from classmates and young people can keep in touch with friends having a tough time. The challenge is to guide our children to use technology wisely and safely but we are in uncharted territory on the best way to do this.
Last week, a current affairs program reported on two schools with opposing viewpoints on the use of mobile phones during the school hours. One, a high school, banned the use of mobile phones but allowed students to store them in their lockers. The other, a primary school, encouraged the use of devices for learning and allowed students to engage with their technology during lessons. A third Australian primary school has asked parents to give their children phones with no internet access.
This dilemma on how to best deal with technology is not confined to Australia. France has banned smartphones in schools for students under the age of 15 and schools in Iceland while allowing students to have smartphones in their bags ban them from the classroom. Scotland is currently debating whether to ban phones in schools while the Finns have mixed opinions on whether phones are distractions or learning tools.
5 February was Safer Internet Day and provided the perfect opportunity to promote responsible behaviour online with our students. The theme for this year was Together for a better internet and encouraged the application of the 4Rs: Respect, Responsibility, Reasoning and Resilience.
With the aid of resources from the Alannah and Madeline Foundation and the Australian Government Office of the E-Safety Commissioner, students were given a clear message about acceptable online behavior and taught how to report issues associated with misuse of technology. Secondary students were reminded of their responsibilities as they reviewed the St Peters Terms of Acceptable Use agreement and signed a personal pledge, acknowledging their commitment to the 4Rs when online.
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner has an excellent section called ‘iparent’ which provides a 10-minute interactive tour for parents to help them understand and manage online issues. There are also useful resources, such as Rewrite your story, a resource for teenagers that explains while “You can’t undo the past, and you can’t change the actions or words of other people, you can rewrite your story.”
Help to remove cyberbullying material and advice about anonymous reporting of offensive or illegal content is also available. The Office’s Online Safeguards provide parent control mechanisms which reduce the likelihood of exposure to offensive and illegal online material and a Kids Helpline provides free and confidential phone counselling 24/7 for young people.
At St Peters, we ensure that students understand the expectations of responsible digital citizenship founded on a Christian perspective and framed by College policy (found in Firefly) and the law.
Any time, students have concerns about social media issues, they are encouraged to talk to their Pastoral Care teacher, Pastor Matt, or me.
Office of the eSafety Commissioner
www.esafety.gov.au
Sue Grotherr
Head of Secondary
