Published by: Digital Schools

Screen Time: Supervision is Key

I often describe parenting with digital devices as a little bit (or a lot) ‘dementing’. What I mean by this is that it’s hard work and relentless. While none of us, I included, profess to parent perfectly, I understand that supervision is key without a shadow of a doubt. Like in the offline world, we understand that children cannot be left alone because of the risks we know exist. They need age-appropriate supervision. 

 

Supervision refers to having children using internet-enabled devices in communal areas of your home. Simply put, the risks far outweigh any possible benefits of primary school-aged children being allowed to use devices in their bedroom (or behind closed doors). Although not likely to be a popular decision, we urge every family to set an expectation that devices are only used in communal areas of the home.

 

The reason that supervision of internet-enabled devices is so important is that it will minimise (notice how I didn’t say eliminate) risks of:

  • Cyberbullying
  • Grooming by predators
  • Exposure to inappropriate content

 

To further support you and your family in keeping children safe online, we highly recommend using parental controls. Parental controls are settings that can be used to help supervise and manage device use. One of the best examples of effective parental controls is Apple’s Screen Time setting. Please have a look at the eSafety Commissioner’s guide for more info: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/skills-advice/taming-technology

Above all else, we encourage parents to start and continue conversations about their children’s experiences online. Communication will work side-by-side with supervision and boundaries to mentor our kids to navigate the online world more safely.

 

 

Tags Cyber SafeGrown UpsMindfulness for AdultsNotable PeopleParents and FamiliesWellbeing

Digital Schools

The content by "Digital Schools" which can be found under the "Guest Contributor" category on this platform is produced by Digital Schools PTY LTD. Digital Schools works in partnership with the school as a 3rd party provider to help build and maintain the school website. As well as this, we assist the school by engaging with a range of experts who already provide products and/or services to educational institutions and we work with them to produce and publish information to this website that we think may be relevant, interesting or topical to families within the community. PLEASE NOTE: The views, opinions and content published by us are that of the "Guest Contributor" and/or publisher (Digital Schools). It should be noted that whilst the publisher and guest contributors are acting with the best intentions and in the best interests of the school and their community, sometimes the content may not necessarily reflect the views of the school. We welcome your feedback. Down the bottom of this page is a feedback form so you can let us know what you think.