Catholic Outlook July 2016
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CATHOLIC EDUCATION www.parra.catholic.edu.au @<strong>Catholic</strong>EdParra <strong>Catholic</strong>EdParra<br />
Be Safe, Be Respectful,<br />
Be Responsible online<br />
MANY PARENTS are fearful<br />
of their children becoming<br />
active online. We’ve all heard<br />
the horror stories in the<br />
news. Yet many parents and<br />
grandparents are actually<br />
the first to develop an<br />
online presence for their<br />
youngsters.<br />
Keep safe online<br />
By some estimates, the average parent posts about<br />
1000 images of their child online before his or her fifth<br />
birthday. It’s a much, much more public version of the<br />
old-fashioned “brag-book”. In fact, most adults, me<br />
included, use the internet frequently on a daily basis,<br />
including the use of social media sites like Twitter and<br />
Facebook.<br />
Given the prevalence of the internet and social media,<br />
rather than fear their involvement, it is crucial that we<br />
teach our young people responsible online behaviour to<br />
keep them safe.<br />
As parents and educators, supporting children as they<br />
develop their social skills is a major part of our role –<br />
the use of “social” media is no different. Though the<br />
social settings we grew up with have changed, our<br />
duty to prepare younger generations to participate in a<br />
respectful and responsible way has not.<br />
If we fail in this duty, there’s a risk that young people<br />
will view online spaces as morally neutral. As a result, we<br />
become part of the problem and promote “anti-social”<br />
content. Preparing our children and students to make<br />
a positive contribution to society, including through<br />
their activities online, is a must. This is what we mean by<br />
“digital citizenship”.<br />
Part of our responsibility as parents and educators is to<br />
ensure that young people’s use of technology is ageappropriate.<br />
This requires a high level of supervision<br />
but, unfortunately, it cannot prevent children from being<br />
exposed to anti-social material on the internet.<br />
By taking an active role in monitoring and limiting<br />
access, as needed, we can assist in preparing young<br />
people for future independent and responsible online<br />
use. This includes honest conversations about predatory<br />
behaviour and confronting or inappropriate images.<br />
To help parents and educators raise this issue with their<br />
children and students we have created a resource called<br />
Cyberwise, which encourages young people to Be Safe,<br />
Be Respectful, Be Responsible online.<br />
I am very proud of our students from St Mark’s <strong>Catholic</strong><br />
College, Stanhope Gardens, who recently created and<br />
produced a short film as part of this resource. It is a<br />
creative way to communicate a very important message.<br />
I encourage you to watch this video with your children or<br />
students and talk about the importance of cyber safety.<br />
On 16 June we welcomed our new Bishop, Most Rev<br />
Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv, and on behalf of<br />
our staff and families I look forward to working with him<br />
in our mission of <strong>Catholic</strong> education.<br />
Greg Whitby<br />
Executive Director of Schools<br />
@gregwhitby<br />
blog: bluyonder.wordpress.com<br />
CYBERWISE: BE SAFE I BE RESPECTFUL I BE RESPONSIBLE<br />
Schools launch Cyberwise campaign<br />
CONNECTIVITY has become an integral<br />
part of everyday life and learning. As students<br />
communicate, collaborate, create and learn with<br />
online and digital tools, the need to educate<br />
students about responsible online behaviours<br />
has become more important than ever.<br />
Launched on 15 June, Cyberwise is a learning<br />
and teaching resource for students, teachers and<br />
parents to encourage cybersafety in schools.<br />
Available through <strong>Catholic</strong> Education’s Classm8<br />
site, the Cyberwise web page provides a range of<br />
resources, policies, teaching strategies and tips<br />
TOP TIPS FOR PARENTS TO HELP<br />
KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE ONLINE<br />
• Be aware of how your child uses the internet and<br />
explore it with them;<br />
• Discuss with your child the importance of keeping<br />
personal information private;<br />
• Talk about cyberbullying and remind your child<br />
online communication should be responsible and<br />
respectful;<br />
• Advise your child not to respond to any negative<br />
messages;<br />
• Consider using inbuilt filters and controls on your<br />
digital devices to manage your child’s access; and<br />
• Keep your virus protection up to date.<br />
For more information visit: www.esafety.gov.au or<br />
http://cnadigitalcitizenship.weebly.com/for-parents.html<br />
to support young people in becoming discerning<br />
and responsible users of technology and social<br />
media.<br />
Designed in collaboration with teachers and<br />
students, Cyberwise is underpinned by <strong>Catholic</strong><br />
values and key behaviours to be safe, be<br />
respectful and be responsible.<br />
The focus on these three areas encourages<br />
students to be mindful of their online activity in<br />
a way that puts relationships, human dignity and<br />
personal reputations at the forefront.<br />
Students from St Mark’s <strong>Catholic</strong> College,<br />
Stanhope Gardens, took an active role in<br />
contributing to the Cyberwise campaign by<br />
producing a video that would provide a student<br />
view of cybersafety issues and a starting point<br />
for discussion within the classroom.<br />
Year 10 St Mark’s student Jacob Aouchan said<br />
the Cyberwise video was extremely relevant for<br />
students.<br />
“It is really important that young people have<br />
a greater awareness of the dangers and risks<br />
associated with social media and are encouraged<br />
to be proactive and seek help when needed,”<br />
Jacob said.<br />
WATCH NOW<br />
http://www.learningexchange.nsw.edu.au/cyberwise<br />
14 <strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | JULY <strong>2016</strong><br />
www.catholicoutlook.org