From the Principal
Mobile Phone and Personal Electronic Devices Acceptable Use Policy
Education Minister Grace Grace has announced mobile phones and certain wearable electronic devices like smartwatches will be banned at all Queensland state schools during school hours – including break times - from Term 1, 2024. This state-wide ban will provide uniformity, extend bans to break times, and include certain wearable devices like smartwatches. Minister Grace will continue discussions with other Education Ministers on producing consistent guidelines for implementation across states and territories. Independent schools will follow this lead in extending the restricted use of mobile phones to before and after school.
When I was in Julia Creek in May for the ICPA Conference, a conference speaker raised the hot topic of community interest in how our children use digital technology such as tablet computers and mobile phones. Media reports highlight the potential physical, mental and social wellbeing risks of children using technology but also suggest digital technology use is essential to children’s learning, development and socialisation.
The Australian Research Council Linkage Project suggests that one way of reducing the conflict between using or not using technology may be to think about children using technologies in the same way we think about helping children to enjoy the beach. This idea really captured my interest. We wouldn’t let our children go to the beach without making adequate preparations, so the same principle applies to allowing our children to use technology in the cyber world – they need to be prepared.
I acknowledge the article that follows, adapted from “Technology as the Beach’ – how a new way of thinking about children’s use of digital technologies may lead to better outcomes for children” authored by Professor Straker et al.
The beach can be a risky place for children – they could drown, be dumped by a wave and experience an injury, there are many creatures there that could harm children, or children might get sunburnt, and later in life develop skin cancer.
However, the beach can also be an engaging and happy place for children – they can have fun with friends, play games with family, or relax. Opportunities to be physically active at the beach help children to develop stronger muscles, bones, co-ordination and heart fitness. They benefit from socialising with family and friends and get to learn about and experience nature.
It would seem extreme to ban children from enjoying the beach because of the risks. Rather, as a community and as parents we create a series of safeguards to help children gain the benefits of being at the beach whilst respecting and navigating the risks. We set up ‘swim between the flags’ safe zones, we have responsible adults accompany children, we teach children critical skills like how to swim, how to spot a rip, and how to ‘be sunsmart’, and we engage with our children to help them play, learn and socialise respectfully with friends and family.
What would the conflict between using or not using technologies with children look like if we thought about technology like we think about the beach? Yes, there are risks, but using technology also has benefits for children. Just like at the beach where children develop skills like swimming and knowledge about the ocean, using technology allows children to develop skills and knowledge to navigate the digital environment and its many opportunities for learning and education.
We think research should be directed towards enabling children to gain the benefits whilst reducing the risks.
Parents are risk managers and promoters of experimentation to enable children to develop competence and confidence in many things (hot water, relationships, learning to walk, hygiene, roads, sharp objects etc). Instead of focusing on conflict and contributing to adult confusion about children using technology, now is the time to rethink how, why and when to use technology in positive ways which minimise risk – just like we ensure children are safe, well and happy at the beach. This would help families to better prepare their children for life in a digital world.
Please read the current Somerville House Mobile Phone and Other Personal Electronic Devices Acceptable Use Policy. We will advise you when this policy is updated to reflect the State Government stance.
Mrs Kim Kiepe
Principal
Acknowledgements
Australian Research Council Linkage Project #LP190100387 and Centre of Excellence #CE200100022