Understanding Devices and Digital Parenting

Dear WIS Community,

We are excited about the upcoming community workshop on Understanding Devices and Digital Parenting (see flyer below). Scheduled for Thursday the 7th of March, we are looking forward to connecting and learning from each other and sharing our experiences and insights on navigating the digital landscape with children. 

At WIS, we recognize the importance of addressing the role of media in students' lives. While we want to see students empowered through digital media in subjects like Digital Creation, we also frequently see online content spill over into our school and playground interactions. Recent surveys on student wellbeing and classroom climate among our Grade 5 cohort, have revealed the pervasive presence of social media in their lives, with platforms like YouTube and Roblox featuring prominently, despite age restrictions.  

At school, our fourth and fifth-grade students have been delving into discussions on online pressures and social media challenges in their Digital Citizenship classes with Ms Jeannette. Using resources from our Common Sense Media Curriculum, they've explored the risks associated with certain online behaviours and learned strategies to navigate them safely.   They have developed vibrant Public Service Announcements (PSAs) explaining the dangers and risks associated with these social media pranks and challenges. Additionally, they have crafted scripts to act out how one can politely decline participation when being pressured.  

Over the last few weeks, I've personally delved into the emergence of YouTube Shorts. These bite-sized videos, much like TikTok or Instagram Reels, have quickly gained popularity. As I explored further, I uncovered concerning conversations highlighting the addictive nature of Shorts and the potential risks they pose, particularly to young viewers. The emergence of something like YouTube Shorts also has implications for digital parenting. From privacy concerns to the allure of virality, there are pertinent issues that warrant our attention. Moreover, the addictive nature of Shorts and the potential risks associated with the unrestricted use of audio content raise significant concerns.

For parents seeking guidance in navigating the digital world with their children, Common Sense Media offers a wealth of resources tailored to our needs. Additionally, integrating conversations about social media choices within the context of the Learner Profile can foster meaningful connections across the curriculum. The Empowered Use Policy below uses the Learner Profile to clearly define positive online behaviour. As we use this terminology at school for ‘who we want students to be’- the infographic below allows students to make connections between our curriculum framework and the online world.

I encourage you to join us for what promises to be an enlightening and enriching evening. If you haven’t yet signed up, please do so here.

Warm regards, 

Marcelle van Leenen

Primary School Principal