Our Guiding Principles of Device Use

Our programmes use the Sensible Screen Use Recommendations for Schools. You can find information about these here. We aim to balance using devices to enhance students’ access to the NZ Curriculum as well as meeting our obligations of teaching the Digital Technology curriculum. We frequently audit our teachers’ device use in their planning. We then review the purpose of its use with the ultimate goal of keeping screen time to a minimum whilst maximising engagement and learning experiences.

Digital Citizenship at Campbells Bay School

This page is a reminder of the Digital Citizenship Agreement that is signed by Campbells Bay School students.

 

For more tips, tricks and downloads visit the CBS Student/teacher portal.

Looking after yourself online includes:

  • Choosing online names that are respectful and appropriate.

  • Only visiting sites that are appropriate, and respecting age limits on websites. As a general rule, if you wouldn’t show the site to your parents or grandparents, it is inappropriate.

  • Making sure you have strict privacy settings so only people you know can see your photos and personal information.

  • Only putting information online that is appropriate, and only posting suitable pictures. Not everyone viewing them will be friendly.

  • Reporting anything you see online that makes you uncomfortable or unhappy.

  • Talking to adults and people you trust about your online experiences, both good and bad.

Looking after others online includes:

  • Not flaming (sending hurtful or inflammatory messages) others, or forwarding messages that are unkind or inappropriate.

  • Not getting involved in conversations that are unkind, mean or bullying.

  • By reporting any conversations that you think might be hurtful or bullying. Try imagining how you would feel if the conversation were about you.

  • Not visiting websites that show people behaving disrespectfully or illegally. If you do find a website like that, or one that is racist, bigoted or inappropriate in any way, close it and tell an adult.

  • Showing respect for other people’s privacy online by not attempting to get into their online spaces, stalking them or copying their photos or information.

Digital Citizenship at Home

Discuss with your parents what type of images and online content they think it is appropriate for you to see and share. If you share images online, discuss the apps you use and who you communicate with through services like MessageMe and Instagram.

For parents we have guides to Instagram and Facebook which can be found on the CBS Student/teacher portal.

Social Media Guide for Parents

Netsafe has co-launched a guide for parents whose children are using Instagram, and what they need to know.

As parents, it is important to understand social media and the settings available to protect privacy and keep children safe.

Most social media websites have an age limit of 13 and over, but the reality is this is not actively monitored and many of our children will use these websites regardless of the limit. Knowing this, it is important parents remain vigilant and make sure their children are making informed choices online.

Given the constant news articles about suspect online activities in New Zealand, we need to be involved and be knowledgeable. We need to set a good example and do whatever we feel is the right thing for our families.

In today’s digitally accessible world it is very easy to consider social media forums such as Instagram, Tik Tok and gaming chat platforms as exciting and age appropriate platforms for our children to use. When using them as they are intended it could be argued that they are safe. However, as a school we do not support the use of these social media forums for our students as they are under age.

Here is why:

  • The rule of thumb for most social media platforms is that users must be 13 years old or older.

  • If you or your child create an account and lie about your child’s age, consider the following:

    1.) We would not role model lying to a police officer about our ages, or a security guard and we should consider this as just the same setting up an account the same.

    2.) The advertising children are exposed to during their app use, is based on this age. Take for example a ten year old, with parent’s permission opens an account. The social media platform believes that child to be 13 years old. When they have been using it for a few years, it will believe the user to be 16 years old and advertise and influence the images/information/stories accordingly. Information and imagery a 13 year old should not need to filter or be exposed to.

    3.) The skills needed to use these platforms are developmentally not suited for under 13 year old children. Skills such as keeping personal information private, filtering and screening friend requests and coping with the social pressure. Thus creating a vulnerability to our children to be targeted by predators online, cyber bullies or making mistakes themselves, which they would not have made, if they have not been using social media too young.

  • John Parson notes that it can take a predator sometimes only 4 minutes to find out a child’s address, routine and befriend them, even when they have locked “private accounts.” This is also based on the vulnerability of the age they are. Find more information on how to keep your child safe: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/photo/59899974.cms

  • To conclude, giving students access to social platforms that are restricted to users over 13 years old places undue risk and stress on our children. Please speak with your child’s teacher if you are concerned about their use of social media.

Footnote: as a school we are teaching students how to navigate social media platforms in the form of Google Apps for Education. There are a number of child friendly social media apps as alternatives.

Please be aware that most online gaming such as Minecraft have chat and messaging services. Do not stop your children playing those games but ensure they have the appropriate supervision and knowledge of what to do when other players reach out to talk to them. Remind children that should a stranger in a supermarket ask them their address and name and information about their family, they’d likely not answer, or they would find their parent to inform them and ask if it is ok? The same applies for the online chat world; students need to know it is the same thing. If in doubt, ask a parent.

If your child is on one of the appropriate social forums, be their first friend request; have their log on and password details; check it regularly and get involved in what they are doing. As we know, not only for online scenarios but all experiences, your family values have the most influential part to play in avoiding risks.