Dear Parent /Caregivers,
One of the foci of our Pathways Program this term has been centred
around students online profiles and keeping safe when being on social
media sites. These discussions with our students have included presentation from SAPOL for our middle school students around the legal aspects and dangers of what they post on social media.
Social media has become such an integral part of a teenager’s life that it can cause anxiety and lower their self-esteem. Modern teens are learning to do most of their communication whilst looking at a screen instead of another person. They are missing out on very critical social skills. And dependant on what they are communicating online, it can affect their digital reputation. Friendships, relationships and even future job prospects are all at risk.
As a parent, It is very important that you are aware of what picture they are painting of themselves online. Once information makes its way online it can be difficult to remove. Images and words can be misinterpreted and altered as they are easily and quickly shared around. Privacy settings on social media sites need to
be managed in order to protect your child’s digital reputation.
The Following Article has information for families to support discussions with your children around the social media profile and links to resources to support all of us through these challenges in the digital age.
https://woodvillehigh.sa.schooltv.me/newsletter/social-media-and-digital-reputation
The Fact sheets form the NSW government help improve our knowledge base as adults having these discussions with teenagers in the 21st Century.
