Devices are an integral part of our blended learning approach here at Riccarton High School. They offer opportunities for enhancing learning for example through access to varied media and also allow collaboration beyond the classroom.

However, there is a flip side to having devices being so present in our young students’ lives.

At a recent Attitude assembly for year 9 students, at least a third indicated they get less than eight hours sleep per night. Mainly due to using their devices late into the night. However, just like their devices which need to be charged overnight to be of effective use at school the next day, our young people need their natural charger - sleep.

The easiest solution, as outlined on the digital tikanga magnet, is to ensure devices are switched off one hour before sleep, and even better, is to ensure they are not kept in the bedroom.

As well as impacting on physical well-being, emotional well-being is affected when devices are not used for good when social media is misused. While often this occurs outside of school hours, our Deans and whānau teachers are dealing with the consequences as the action affects learning and relationships at school. 

We regularly broach this subject during assemblies with an emphasis on “positive in, positive out”: how their social media use should be for good and that each of us is responsible for our own actions. This reinforces the messages already given during digital citizenship sessions in term one.

So what can you do to help us ensure your young people are making good decisions?

• Regularly check your child’s devices and know what apps they are using. Some apps, like Sarahah, are anonymous, and others, like Snapchat, keep no record of what communications are being sent or received. With many such apps, if content is screenshot at the time of sending, it can be stored and used or shared again without consent to do so having been given.

• Discuss the Harmful Digital Communications Act, 2015 and ensure they understand what “harmful communication” looks like. Harmful communication is defined by Netsafe as being: when someone uses the internet, email, apps, social media or mobile phones to send or publish threatening or offensive material and messages, spread damaging or degrading rumours, publish online invasive or distressing photographs or video.

• Encourage meaningful use of their device and social media. One of the examples shown in assembly was the inspiring story of Joshua Williams. You may wish to have a closer look at the story of Joshua’s heart https://joshuasheart.org/

By working together, we can reinforce responsible device use for good. Thank you for your support.