Netsavvii - Galen Catholic College

16th March 2012 Thank you to everyone who participated in the Parent media & technology surveys whilst attending a laptop roll out &/or information session. There was an over whelming response from participants requesting more education in how to set up privacy settings on social networking sites.

Some helpful websites…
‘Easy Guide to Socialising Online’ created by the Australian Government provides information on how internet users can protect themselves and their information when using social networking sites, search engines and online games. http://www.dbcde.gov.au/easyguide

Social Networking sites (examples):

Search Engines:

Online Games(examples):

Reviews and Advice:
http://www.ikeepsafe.org/parents/parents-guide-to-facebook/
Designed to teach parents how to help their teens strengthen their privacy and safety on Facebook, the guide features important topics such as:
–How to parent Facebook users –Managing reputation in the digital age?–Actual risks in social media –Managing your privacy on Facebook?–Reporting problems –And more!
Social Networking and Virtual Worlds http://www.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-parents/social-networking-and-virtual-worlds

Parents Guide to Online Safety http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Parents/Guide%20to%20online%20safety/Guide%20to%20online%20safety.aspx

We encourage all within our school community to share any cyber knowledge, tips & suggestions with us.
Email us at cybersafety@galen.vic.edu.au. You could make a positive difference in another family’s life.

Digital literacy: How confusing is it to stay informed?
Trying to keep up with our kids, in their fast paced online life, requires active parental engagement. There are so many ways to access the internet. (mobile phones, video game consoles & computers etc) & just as many reasons WHY our kids (& we) access the internet. You’re not alone if you feel that some of our kids grasp of technology is leaving us behind.
We hope this regular section will provided relevant information & guidance to ensure a balanced digital life for everyone in your household. Don’t forget to share this information with our students, grandparents & friends.

Some basic tips that may be useful:
Embrace their world –media & technology isn’t going away. It is only going to evolve.
Encourage a balanced use – A rule of thumb could be: equal time spent between technology & other activities (sports, face to face with family & friends, chores etc)
Monitor media use (as best you can) – encourage the use of technology in open areas. Ask questions about what they’re doing (keep the communication open). Make bedtime technology free. Remove devices from the bedroom. Put the devices on charge in another area of the house.
Discuss which sites are acceptable to visit & what can be downloaded – As kids get older they will look to their friends to find what’s cool. Start the conversations & set guidelines with your kids about appropriate age & use of sites BEFORE they have been using them for months.

We encourage all within our school community to share any cyber knowledge, tips & suggestions with us.
You may have that piece of advice that could make a positive difference in another family’s life.
Email us on cybersafety@galen.vic.edu.au