Friday, 7 February 2025 | Term 1 | Week

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Day | Views 740

Parents in an Electronic Age

It’s 2015 and many of our children’s fingers will be exercised by pushing buttons at a rate we all find astounding.  Texting and Facebook communication is now a way of life for many students.  Communication can now be made with the sender having anonymity.  Sites which enable this have been blocked from our school server but students can still access them outside of school.  As Counsellors, we have had to deal with the aftermath of such technology being used to hurt others.

Inappropriate use can involve put downs which are then circulated to an unlimited audience.  The consequences of such messages can result in the victim becoming withdrawn and isolated, a drop in attendance at school, a change in their behaviour and a reduction in their grades.

Another serious aspect of negative use is that students are vulnerable to inappropriate sexual advances.  These can be requests for sexual favours, revealing pictures or the offer of money to become involved in such activities.  Such requests can be aimed at either gender and, through embarrassment or fear of retribution, students will often hide such communication from parents.  An associated issue is when students, of either sex, send scantily dressed or naked photos of themselves to others.  Such photos can be shared via the internet causing extreme embarrassment.

Talking with your child about these matters is paramount.  If they feel at ease and able to talk with you, such negative interference in their lives can be averted, or at least brought out into the open where it can be dealt with.  Please also encourage your child not to access these anonymous sites at all as by doing so they are actively or passively encouraging such behaviour.  In today’s technology rich society such issues will continue to occur and we as adults we need to feel confident in addressing them and talking openly with our children about them.  When our children are at home under our care we have the right to access their devices and a responsibility to ensure they are being used safely.

As school Counsellors, Mrs Jenni Segedin and I are available to help.  If you suspect your child has been targeted please feel free to make contact.

Yours sincerely 

Mr T Dowling                                                      Mr D Macleod

COUNSELLOR                                                  PRINCIPAL