16/06/2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
We wish to bring to your attention an increase in incidents involving online activity and the use of social media among
our students. Importantly, these incidents have been occurring exclusively outside of school hours, in students’ own
time at home or elsewhere.
Social media is not generally designed for young children, and many platforms have minimum age requirements.
Despite this, some of our students are using these platforms, sometimes unsupervised, which can expose them to risks
such as unwanted contact, inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and issues around privacy.
We need your help to keep our students safe. We encourage you to:
• Speak openly and regularly: Have ongoing conversations about what apps and websites your child uses, why
they use them, and what they enjoy online.
• Check devices frequently: Know which accounts your child has, who they interact with, and what kind of
content is being viewed and shared.
• Set clear boundaries: Establish family rules around screen time, device use, and acceptable behaviour online.
Make sure children understand your expectations.
• Use parental controls: Take advantage of parental controls, privacy settings, and content filters to restrict
access where appropriate.
• Be present and engaged: When your child is online, try to be nearby or within earshot, so you can help guide
them through any difficulties or questions that arise.
• Educate about safety and respect: Discuss why never to share personal information, photos, or passwords
online, and explain the risks of interacting with strangers or joining unfamiliar groups.
• Monitor emotional wellbeing: Look for signs of distress, secrecy, or negative changes, which may indicate
online issues. Encourage your child to talk to you or a trusted adult if anything worries them.
Primary school-age children need strong guidance and support when navigating the online world. Please remember
that most popular social media platforms (including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Facebook) require users to be at
least 13 years old. If your child is using these or other apps, please ensure you are aware of what they are doing and
help them make safe choices.
Our school is here to support you. Contact us if you need advice or assistance, or visit the eSafety Commissioner
website (www.esafety.gov.au) for practical tips on protecting children online.
Thank you for working with us to ensure our students grow up safe, respectful, and responsible online.
Kind Regards,
Brendan Hall
R/Principal
