We want our students to access technology in a safe environment and we take this responsibility seriously. Education about online safety is a priority for students, staff and parents. We continue to build the skills in our staff, and keep them as up to date as we can with current risks.

At Piara Waters Primary School we have a small list of carefully selected applications (apps) and websites that students will be using to support and enhance their learning. These apps and websites have undergone rigorous risk assessment by the Department of Education and have been deemed safe for our students to use. Parents will be provided with a list of these apps and websites at the start of each school year.

We offer information sessions for parents to provide information about the ways they can help students become safe online when they are not on school grounds. Parents will be notified via Connect when sessions are available throughout 2023.

Social Media

The youngest age requirement for a social network is 13 years of age, some are even older. Most social media sites set minimum age requirements. This is primarily for safety reasons as young children don’t understand the dangers of cyber predators, and because younger children have not yet developed good judgement to know what’s okay to post and what is not. They are also exposed to adult content which can be suggestive or inappropriate.

At Piara Waters Primary School, students are NOT able to have any social network/ social media/ chat room-type apps on their iPad.

Devices that are brought to school for learning must not have the following apps (examples only as new social networking apps emerge all of the time).

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instragram
• TikTok
• Snapchat

All students must sign our Internet and iPad usage agreement annually. If they are not meeting the requirements of this agreement their access to using their device and/or the school device or network may be restricted for a period of time.

Online Safety Resources

The Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioners Enhancing online safety for children site, leads online safety education for the Australian Government and protects Australian children when they experience cyberbullying by administering a complaints scheme - https://www.esafety.gov.au

The Department of Communications, Stay Smart Online is the Australian Government's online safety and security website, designed to help everyone understand the risks and simple steps we can take to protect our personal and financial information online - https://www.cyber.gov.au

The Australian Federal Police Thinkuknow website, is an Internet safety program delivering interactive training to parents, carers and teachers through schools and organisations across Australia - http:// www.thinkuknow.org.au

The Common-Sense Media site rate, educate, and advocate for kids, families, and schools - https://www.commonsensemedia.org

The Bullying. No way! site has been created to promote positive learning environments where every student and school community member are safe, supported, respected and valued - http://bullyingnoway.gov.au

For more information, please see our ICT Handbook