Dear Parents and Guardians,
This message is to inform you that we have recently become aware of a WhatsApp group that has been created for some of our Year 6 students. We would like to take this opportunity to open a dialogue with you about a few important points regarding online communication and digital wellbeing for our children.
Our primary concerns are focused on three key areas:
- Sleep and Wellbeing: The constant stream of notifications, especially at night, can significantly disrupt students’ sleep patterns. Adequate rest is crucial for their concentration and emotional regulation at school, and we would encourage you to be mindful of device usage after a certain time in the evenings.
- Appropriateness and Kindness: The speed and nature of digital messaging can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or messages that may not reflect our school’s core values of respect and kindness. We encourage you to have a conversation with your child about being a responsible and considerate digital citizen, reminding them that online comments can have a lasting impact.
- Terms of Service: It is important to note that WhatsApp’s own terms of service state that users must be at least 13 years old to use the platform. As Year 6 students are typically 10 or 11, many of our students do not meet this age requirement.
We would also like to take this opportunity to remind students about other aspects of Digital Citizenship, especially regarding the sharing of photos and videos. It is vital that students understand the importance of giving and receiving consent before taking or sharing a picture or video of another person. We ask that you reinforce the message that respecting a person’s privacy is a key component of being a responsible digital citizen. We believe that open communication between parents, students and the school is the best way to navigate these modern challenges.
Furthermore, we would like to address the importance of our students’ behaviour in the wider community. We have received comments from community members regarding children playing in the Discovery Bay Plaza without adult supervision and exhibiting inappropriate behaviour. It is essential that our students remember they are role models for younger children and should wear the DBIS uniform with pride and respect, acting as ambassadors for our school at all times, both in and out of school hours.
We ask that you please take a moment to discuss these points with your child. For further advice and recommendations around digital safety and usage, we also encourage you to refer to the DBIS Family Technology Agreement.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership.
Sincerely,
The Year 6 Teaching Team