Why is it Important to Ensure Students Use Technology Safely?
Learning to use technology effectively is a critical component of life in the 21st century. Young people are required to spend time on devices in order to function effectively at school, complete homework, research, learn and acquire knowledge. They also face pressure to use devices outside of school for socialising, communicating with peers and connecting with hobbies. As the use of electronic devices becomes more widespread among young people, it's essential to ensure that they are using technology safely and responsibly. The negative impact of technology on children, such as exposure to explicit content, cyberbullying, and cybersecurity risks, cannot be ignored. It is therefore crucial for parents and schools to work together to provide guidance to our children and ensure that they are equipped with the skills and frameworks to use technology in a safe and productive manner.
What are some of the concerns we need to consider?
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Cybersecurity Risks
One of the most significant concerns with technology use in schools is the potential for cybersecurity risks. Research shows that apps used by children and students feature unhealthy practices that put their privacy at risk. Two out of three products used by young people have privacy practices that track them on the app and across the internet for advertising purposes. Additionally, almost all of the top 10 streaming apps and top five devices are not prioritising the privacy of their youngest viewers, including sharing data and showing targeted advertisements.
Cyberbullying
The anonymity of the internet can make it easier for students to engage in cyberbullying, which can have severe consequences for both the victim and the perpetrator. Research has shown that the frequency of encountering hate speech on social media has increased significantly in recent years.
Digital Footprint
Everything that students do online leaves a digital footprint that can follow them for years to come. It's essential to teach students how to be mindful of their online presence and to think twice before posting anything that could reflect poorly on them in the future.
Wellbeing
Technology can impact student’s wellbeing in both negative and positive ways. Research shows that 43% of 14-22 year old social media users say social media makes them feel better when they're depressed, anxious, or stressed, while 17% say it makes them feel worse. TikTok (Douyin) has been found to display potentially harmful content to users as frequently as every 39 seconds, and a staggering 75% of teenagers have been exposed to explicit content online before the age of 17. Studies have shown that babies who have 2 hours of screen time a day before the age of 12 months perform worse on attention and memory tests in primary school than children who have less or no screen time. Teachers and parents need to ensure that students are using technology in a way that benefits their wellbeing, while reducing the negative impacts.
Ethical Use
As students become more technologically literate, it's important to teach them about the ethical implications of their technology use. For example, they need to understand how copyright works, how to cite sources properly, and how to respect others' intellectual property.
Clearly, parents and schools have a responsibility to assist young people in learning how to use technology and devices appropriately. Simply avoiding technology is not enough. We must provide students with knowledge, skills and parameters that set them up for success. Thankfully, we are here to help. In our next two ‘Parents as Partners’ parent information webinars, Mrs. Amelia King, our Education Technology Coach, will discuss this important topic.
Promoting Appropriate Use of Tech for Primary School Students
12:30pm - 1:15pm, Wednesday, 15 March 2023
Amelia King, Education Technology Coach at Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi, will present on the effects of parental involvement and engagement on device usage for Primary School students, and discuss the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on device use. Mrs. King will examine the ways children use devices both at home and in the classroom, and the ways in which these devices can enhance academic and overall development, provided they are used appropriately to avoid potential dangers. She will provide tips on what to do if you have concerns about device usage and offer strategies to support your child's device usage at home. Lastly, she will consider the impact of device usage on various aspects of child development, including social skills, language, neuroplasticity, physical health, and wellbeing.
Age-Range
This session is recommended for parents with children in Primary School (5 to 11 years old)
Presenters
Natasha Dennis, Director of Student Services
Amelia King, Education Technology Coach
Scan the QR code below to register and receive your livestream link.
Promoting Appropriate Use of Tech for Teens
12:30pm - 1:15pm, Wednesday, 29 March 2023
Hosted by Mrs. Amelia King, our Education Technology Coach, the aim of this workshop is to support parents with teens to ensure positive use of devices. Mrs. King will discuss types of screen time that your teenager may have, and also consider the impact of screen time and devices on the mental health of young people. As we adapt to the post-COVID world, it is important that parents are able to consider the impact that the pandemic has had on technology use for teenagers. In the workshop, Mrs. King will provide thought provoking points around the difference between healthy and unhealthy screen time. She will also give advice on how, as a parent, you can positively influence your teenager's screen time, strategies to discuss tech use with them, and how you can spot the signs that your teenager is being negatively impacted by technology use.
Age-Range
This session is recommended for parents with children in Senior School (11 to 18 years old)
Presenters
Natasha Dennis, Director of Student Services
Amelia King, Education Technology Coach
Scan the QR code below to register and receive your livestream link.
Future Parents as Partners Topics
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Our Parents as Partners webinar series runs biweekly. All sessions are delivered in English with bilingual Mandarin support.
Future topics include:
Wednesday, 12 April 2023
Promoting Independence in Young Children: How to Help your Child Grow by Developing Independence
Wednesday, 26 April 2023
Promoting Independence in Teens: Helping your Teen become Independent and Successful
Scan the QR code to learn more about upcoming webinars and to register your attendance:
Why is it Important for Parents and Schools to Work Closely Together?
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We believe that an effective education requires close school-family partnerships; creating a community of parents, teachers and student services staff working together to achieve better student outcomes. By working together as a caring community, we can better support well-rounded, happy, confident students who are equipped with the skills needed for success in the 21st century. A strong school-family partnership, with parents who are actively involved in their child’s education, can result in numerous benefits for children, such as;
- Better academic outcomes
When parents are actively involved in their child’s education, they are better equipped to understand what their child is going through and will have the skills required to support their child’s academic growth. - Better social and emotional balance
By openly communicating and sharing information, both parents and teachers are able to respond quicker and support students in developing social and emotional skills. - Better self-esteem and confidence
When children know that their parents are actively engaged with their education, they feel valued and appreciated. This results in them being more confident in their own abilities.
Our ‘Parents as Partners’ webinar series takes some of the most impactful sessions from our Parent Academy and presents them in concise, 45-minute online lunchtime sessions open to all parents. The online format of these webinars allows parents to attend regardless of location. We look forward to welcoming you to an upcoming Parents as Partners webinar.
