Smartphones are now a necessity and the general trend is that students are getting their own phones earlier, for example, as early as Year 3, at least as far as I know. My son has asked me when he will have his own phone and I told him I haven’t even started considering that. The decision of when your child gets a phone is entirely yours to make. We do however, ask all students to bring a device to school as part of our BYOD program from Year 5 upwards. This opens up opportunities and gives students access to different apps and websites.
Here are the steps we have taken to ensure that the devices are used appropriately and teach Digital Citizenship skills;
It has come to our attention that some students have social media accounts. In some cases the students mention that hey have either created the accounts with their parents or that parents are well aware of their accounts. Although this is part of our discussions with students after earning their Digital Passport, we would like to let parents know that most social media tools require users to be at least 13 years and older.
Here are some links from Common Sense Media that can help show parents what they need to know about some of the social media tools out there including age limits; Instagram, Facebook, Snap Chat, Youtube, Wats App. Common Sense Media often reviews all the latest games, apps and movies to help parents keep up to date with trends and online safety. Subscribe to their newsletters, or follow them on social media to always get their updates.
Digital Citizenship skills are not something that should only be left for the school to teach. They should be taught at home too. Most of the incidences around the misuse use of social media have occurred at home, after school hours. We urge all parents to be vigilant.
Here are the steps we have taken to ensure that the devices are used appropriately and teach Digital Citizenship skills;
- In Year 4, the students earn a Digital Passport from Digital Passport.org. This is a website that has Web-based games and videos that engage students in independent learning and focuses on critical skills related to digital safety, respect, and community.
- After earning a digital passport, the students discuss their learning in their classes and come up with agreements around their use of technology.
- During the first week of bringing their own devices, the students in Year 5 and Year 6 come up with agreements with their new teachers around the use of technology and set out clear consequences for misuse.
It has come to our attention that some students have social media accounts. In some cases the students mention that hey have either created the accounts with their parents or that parents are well aware of their accounts. Although this is part of our discussions with students after earning their Digital Passport, we would like to let parents know that most social media tools require users to be at least 13 years and older.
Here are some links from Common Sense Media that can help show parents what they need to know about some of the social media tools out there including age limits; Instagram, Facebook, Snap Chat, Youtube, Wats App. Common Sense Media often reviews all the latest games, apps and movies to help parents keep up to date with trends and online safety. Subscribe to their newsletters, or follow them on social media to always get their updates.
Digital Citizenship skills are not something that should only be left for the school to teach. They should be taught at home too. Most of the incidences around the misuse use of social media have occurred at home, after school hours. We urge all parents to be vigilant.