Supporting Parents

Parents or carers have an important role in helping their children use technology safely and responsibly. Communication, an understanding of the issues around technology, and making time to discuss their children’s use of the web helps parents and children become more aware of ways to minimise risks.

Schools can also play a part in supporting parents support their children in the online world. To this end, schools could consider the following  as part of their preparation to build school-home links:

• Do parents contribute to the formation and review of e-safety policies?
• Does the school send updates to parents regarding technology use in school?
• Does the school provide advice and support on using technology in the home?

By encouraging parents to be involved in the development and review of e-safety policies, inviting them to information sessions or distributing handouts on school expectations of acceptable use, schools can give parents useful information about existing and emerging technologies.

Parent information evenings

Schools can use information evenings to raise parent awareness about school e-safety and in so doing give parents ideas about possible measures that could be taken at home. While school and home environments may not be exactly alike in their set up of technology, schools can still promote general safety strategies and in so doing help ease parental concerns.

Bridging the gap between home and school

At school the internet is mostly used to support teaching and learning. Internet use is monitored by teachers, internet filters and tracking tools. At home, however, it is used differently. Not only is it a study resource for students, but it is increasingly being used as a social space to meet, play and chat. The internet can be lots of fun.

At home, it isn’t uncommon for students to be ‘doing their homework’ with six or seven screens open for different tasks and activities. They might be chatting, sending real time messages, listening to or downloading music, contributing to social networking spaces like MySpace or even gaming or sharing videos from their mobile phones.

If you have the internet at home, encourage your child to show you what they are doing online. If not, see if you can make a time to visit the school to see their work.

At home we recommend you:

• make some time to sit with your child to find out how they are using the internet and who else is involved in any online activities
• have the computer with internet access in a shared place in the house – not your child’s bedroom
• ask questions when your child shows you what they are doing, such as:
  • how does it work and how do you set it up
  • who is else is sharing this space or game - did you know them before or “meet” them online
  • why is this so enjoyable – what makes it fun
  • can you see any risks or dangers in the activity - what would you say to warn/inform a younger child
  • what are you doing to protect yourself or your friends from these potential dangers
  • when would you inform an adult about an incident that has happened online that concerns you? Discuss why your child might keep it to themselves.

 Statistics show that students will not approach an adult for help because:

• they might get the blame for any incident
• they don’t think adults “get” their online stuff – it is for students only
• they might put at risk their own access to technology by either:
  
  • admitting to a mistake or
  • highlighting a situation that might lead a parent to ban their access. 

What are some of the issues?

Students may provide personal details or details of other students including full names, telephone numbers, addresses and images and protecting password details.

Students can be approached, groomed, and bullied online. They also love to publish information about themselves and their friends in spaces like Myspace, blogs etc. A public MySpace space may let you see all the details of a teenage weekend party and it can also leave information such as names, addresses and dates available for anyone.

We recommend they:

• don’t use their own name, but develop an online name and use avatars
• don’t share personal details including images of themselves or their friends online
• password protect any spaces or accounts they have and protect that password
• don’t allow anyone they don’t know to join their chat or collaborative space
• are reminded that any image or comment they put on the internet is now public (anyone can see, change or use it).

The term “Digital Footprint” is being used to describe the “imprint” or “presence” that people are leaving on the internet.

Anything posted to the internet can remain online forever (even after you remove it). Students who post comments or images are really presenting themselves online. Their reputations and image can be made or broken by their “online footprint”

We recommend that students:

• present a positive online presence
• password protect all spaces they own or contribute to
• be aware that they can be traced by interested people including future employers
• be aware that once you post to the internet you have lost control of who has your post, what they use it for ,who can see it and when.

Be respectful online and do not participate in online bullying

The online environment sometimes feels different. The language is different. Sometimes students say things online that they would never say to someone’s face. 

• being online can make students feel that they are anonymous
• the space or chat they use in leisure time might have explicit language and they will feel they have to be part of it
• often the online environment has very few adults.

Bullying can take place in a playground, a party or via text message on a mobile phone. Gossip can be spread by conversations in the corridor or published on a blog. Ask them about any bullying they have seen online. What did they do? What did they feel they could do? Were they able to contact someone who could help the victim? Perhaps provide some strategies and contact details.

Why is Web 2.0 an issue?

With the emergence of Web.2.0, social networking and user generated content has become increasingly popular and this has changed the way students interact with the web.

Before Web.2.0 major concerns regarding student internet use centered on the availability of inappropriate content and the potential for inappropriate people to make contact through chat rooms and/or email. These issues still exist, but Web.2.0 tools and social networking spaces now allow students to create their own content and share it with others a lot more easily. Now there are concerns about what students are actually contributing; where they are posting; and who they are sharing the information with.

What parents need to know

Using the internet at home can be an appropriate leisure activity that is enjoyable and fun. Visiting this online space is virtually no different to any night out your child may have. 

Most parents want to know:

• where their child is going and why
• who their child is with
• what are they doing
• when they should be home.

These questions when applied to an online space change very little. Parents can ask:

• where their child is going online and ask whether these places are safe
• who their child is with online and are they real life friends or ‘online friends’ who they have never met
• what their child is doing and saying. Are they revealing information that may make them unsafe or writing or receiving information which is harmful or hurtful
• if their child is spending too much time online. The availability for this as a 24/7 activity can affect students time offline and needs to be appropriate so it is reasonable to question how much time is being spent online.

 

Parent support links

• NetAlert - part of the Australian Government's ongoing commitment to providing a safe online environment for all families, especially children. It provides practical information and advice about online safety 
• Cybersmart - provides cybersafety education and awareness for children, young people and parents
• Childnet International - provides resources on e-safety information for parents and carers
• NetSafe - provides cybersafety education for all New Zealanders, but its information also holds relevance for Australian parents
• Protect your Kids Online - this fact sheet is designed to help parents talk to their children about online safety and protecting their identity from criminals.