This week we encourage everyone to listen to the Radio New Zealand interview with Dr Jonathan Haidt on devices and mental health. It highlights the significant impact social media is having on our tweens and teens. And, whether we like it or not, it is an issue we need to know about and better understand. Listen here - Dr Jonathan Haidt on devices and mental health | RNZ 

It also feels timely to remind our rangatahi that their digital footprint has the potential to affect them both now and in their future. Students should always be representing our school values and remember that they are ambassadors of Rangi Ruru.

What should I do if I have serious concerns about online behaviour, relating to my daughter?

If it is an out of school incident, please use Netsafe. We are happy to support students and help minimise the impact at school.

If the incident happens during school hours, on a school platform, or when the student is in school uniform, please involve us as soon as possible by contacting your year level dean. 

Amy Martin-Bowen
Assistant Principal - Care and Wellbeing 

In her column this week, Addie Voight, our Student Leader for Wellbeing, shares her views on the pro’s and con’s of social media and being online.

Kia ora koutou,

I hope everyone has enjoyed the past two weeks and is looking forward to the long weekend. I encourage you to take some time this weekend to catch up with schoolwork, friends and family, or take time for yourself. My goals are to spend time completing schoolwork, catching up with some friends, but also to spend time relaxing and doing absolutely nothing. It can be hard to take a step back and do nothing, but it is so important to help us de-stress, take a break and reset.

In this column I want to address the topic of social media, which is particularly relevant following Pink Shirt Day. Social media helps us stay connected and builds communities but also causes harm.

Use of social media and the internet have many downsides and can lead to anxiety, depression, and loneliness, often due to comparing ourselves to others and experiencing cyberbullying. It is vital to watch out for, and keep in mind, these damaging effects.

Potential counteractions:

• Set boundaries: Limit the amount of time you spend on social media daily. Track and limit your screen time. You could manually set a screen time limit on your social media apps on your phone.

• Curate your feed: Follow accounts and like posts that inspire and uplift you. Unfollow accounts that promote negative images and lower your self-esteem, confidence and create negative feelings. Remember, we can’t compare ourselves to what we see online, and I am sure you have heard this countless times, but social media is not real, people choose to put out what makes them look good. You can’t compare your lows to someone’s highs.

• Seek support: Talk to your friends and family or reach out further to mental health professionals, if you feel negatively impacted by social media. It might be time to just have a chat or even a detox, maybe try deleting one of those apps, TikTok or Instagram?

Although we often hear plenty about the negatives of social media, there are also so many benefits. Some of these include:

• Staying connected: Social media can connect us instantly with our friends and family, regardless of the distance, either through messages, calls, or facetimes.

• Educational Resources: The internet and social media provide unlimited access to educational resources that help us in and out of school; so many platforms have been digitalised and made easy for students to access and utilise to help them study. There is a wide range of tutorials, live-streams, articles and expert opinions to help us learn and develop. It also raises our awareness of local and global issues.

• Networking Opportunities: We are exposed to new and diverse opportunities online, and even through social media platforms, such as career opportunities and support networks.

This week I want everyone to challenge themselves to acknowledge both the positives and negatives of social media. Take this into your own hands, reflect on your usage. Consider how you experience some positives, even if it is just enjoyment from a 15 second video or immersing yourself in Insta reels. But also reflect on the negative impacts and how you could change your habits to boost your confidence and ensure you feel positive when using social media or being online. If you need to, challenge yourself to delete a social media app.