Some messages have been going around in a variety of formats; text or video and on different platforms. The videos, for example, scare children, encourage children to commit suicide or cut themselves among other things and in some cases, share extremist views.
One of our Primary School students alerted us of a message he received from his sister (please see below). We would like to commend the sibling on doing the right thing - seeking to talk to him about the video.
One of our Primary School students alerted us of a message he received from his sister (please see below). We would like to commend the sibling on doing the right thing - seeking to talk to him about the video.
Our approach, as a school, is not just to block websites or ban iMessages, social media. Dialogue is important. Social media tools can be very beneficial when used appropriately. When misused, the results can be catastrophic.
This week, a ‘Momo’ video caused a stir in Primary School. It has been talked about a lot on social media by concerned parents and teachers. While it turns out the ‘Momo’ video was a hoax, a lot of children saw the video and were affected by it. We speak with students about Digital Citizenship and how they should react to content found online. The Grade 3 students explore the Digital Passport, Grade 6 students take a Life Skills class where they explore the Digital Compass. These are interactive experiences created by Common Sense Media to teach Digital Citizenship Skills. Other classes talk about Digital Citizenship skills as and when it is necessary. For example, during the How The World Works Unit Of Inquiry, Grade 2 students discuss how technology has changed the way we communicate. This year, they had an open house where we discussed issues around technology use with parents. As a result of our discussions with students, they create a variety of media that promotes Digital Citizenship Skills. Below is a video we recorded in Grade 4 after discussing the ‘Momo’ and other videos found online. Although the ‘Momo’ video has been dismissed as a hoax, it has had a significant impact on some of our students at our school. Our focus is not on the ‘Momo’ video. We would like to address any other inappropriate videos and content found or shared online.
This week, a ‘Momo’ video caused a stir in Primary School. It has been talked about a lot on social media by concerned parents and teachers. While it turns out the ‘Momo’ video was a hoax, a lot of children saw the video and were affected by it. We speak with students about Digital Citizenship and how they should react to content found online. The Grade 3 students explore the Digital Passport, Grade 6 students take a Life Skills class where they explore the Digital Compass. These are interactive experiences created by Common Sense Media to teach Digital Citizenship Skills. Other classes talk about Digital Citizenship skills as and when it is necessary. For example, during the How The World Works Unit Of Inquiry, Grade 2 students discuss how technology has changed the way we communicate. This year, they had an open house where we discussed issues around technology use with parents. As a result of our discussions with students, they create a variety of media that promotes Digital Citizenship Skills. Below is a video we recorded in Grade 4 after discussing the ‘Momo’ and other videos found online. Although the ‘Momo’ video has been dismissed as a hoax, it has had a significant impact on some of our students at our school. Our focus is not on the ‘Momo’ video. We would like to address any other inappropriate videos and content found or shared online.
As demonstrated by the sibling in the message at the beginning of this post, we encourage parents to have conversations with their children about talking to strangers in person or online. Talk about watching random videos sent or posted on digital platforms and what the implications could be. Set your own agreements and boundaries together as a family.
You may ban devices for your child or block certain websites but other platforms you don’t even know about may exist or come up tomorrow. Your children could be shown the videos or media by someone else who has access to a device. Rather teach your children to make a choice when watching digital media and ask the following questions:
Who is the sender?
Is this appropriate?
Would my parents be ok with me watching this?
What could the creator’s intentions be?
Common Sense Media has written a post titled 13 Online Challenges Your Kid Already Knows About. Click here to read the article and pay attention to the ‘What to Do’ section of the post to find out how you can help your children navigate these platforms. Common Sense Media is an organisation that helps students, parents, and schools harness the power of media and technology in children’s lives. It reviews the most common apps, games, movies, and other media that children consume.
Please get in touch with Mr. Danai Maramba (WIS Technology Coach) - [email protected] or your child’s respective principal (Secondary - Ms. Reiff - [email protected], Primary - Ms. Beth - [email protected]) if you have any questions or want to discuss this matter further.
WIS will be hosting a parent information evening on the 27th March 2019 to talk with parents about their child(ren)’s use of technology and what to do to avoid technology being used in the wrong way.
You may ban devices for your child or block certain websites but other platforms you don’t even know about may exist or come up tomorrow. Your children could be shown the videos or media by someone else who has access to a device. Rather teach your children to make a choice when watching digital media and ask the following questions:
Who is the sender?
Is this appropriate?
Would my parents be ok with me watching this?
What could the creator’s intentions be?
Common Sense Media has written a post titled 13 Online Challenges Your Kid Already Knows About. Click here to read the article and pay attention to the ‘What to Do’ section of the post to find out how you can help your children navigate these platforms. Common Sense Media is an organisation that helps students, parents, and schools harness the power of media and technology in children’s lives. It reviews the most common apps, games, movies, and other media that children consume.
Please get in touch with Mr. Danai Maramba (WIS Technology Coach) - [email protected] or your child’s respective principal (Secondary - Ms. Reiff - [email protected], Primary - Ms. Beth - [email protected]) if you have any questions or want to discuss this matter further.
WIS will be hosting a parent information evening on the 27th March 2019 to talk with parents about their child(ren)’s use of technology and what to do to avoid technology being used in the wrong way.