Nau mai haere mai!

It was pleasing to see an article this week from TikTok, the tech giant, that has announced new safeguards for teen users. This is with social media companies facing growing calls to better protect young people online. Now TikTok has added a default 60-minute screen time limit for under 18-year-olds. This along with many other controls shows there is hope in controlling this addictive habit.

Parenting is very much around milestones. As our children get older their access to the wider world grows - whether that is virtually or physically. From access to a device, first phone, and social media accounts, heading into the township on their own, to heading into the city - each a milestone as we prepare our young ones to be independent, positive contributors to society.

I would like to hone in on one of those milestones - access to the Internet and social media. This is a "floodgate" we want to open slowly, with support - because once it is fully open there is no closing it. Some family rules you may consider establishing may include:

• reviewing and approving games and apps before they are downloaded
• reviewing privacy settings of sites and applications
• checking children’s profiles and what they are posting online
• checking the sites your child is accessing
• reminding children that anything that is posted online will be permanently on the internet
• taking the time to understand what sites they are visiting and who they are talking with and checking in regularly
• some social media sites have age restrictions to join, check these before letting your child use them or join them (mostly 13+)
• monitoring a child’s use of the internet and consider having them use it in an open, common area of the house
• establishing device-free / internet-free times
• making sure your children know to report any activity they don’t feel comfortable with to parents and caregivers straight away

Netsafe have information for parents and caregivers. Netsafe also has information about the safe use of social media. This includes -

• Instagram
  
• TikTok
• Snapchat
• Facebook

To report an incident to Netsafe use the following link - https://www.netsafe.org.nz/reportanincident/

Together we can support our young ones to navigate this virtual world while we walk along side them. 

It has been another full on couple of weeks at EOHS. Our Year 9 students have completed the annual pilgrimage to Glenorchy Lodge. What an amazing place Glenorchy is to spend some time. A reminder that you as community members can book the lodge out for your family for a weekend get away at a very affordable price. Please contact the school office glenorchy@eohs.school.nz or check out our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/glenorchylodge 

Last night our Year 9/10 students climbed up Puketapu to complete the "Calling" for the Rite Journey programme. Thank you to the parents that joined us for a BBQ after the event. The need to work as a team to educate and raise our students is a vital part of what we are trying to achieve at EOHS.

Nga mihi nui.

Marcus Cooper

Principal/Tumuaki

East Otago High School