In Year 6 this term, we are looking at using social media and the internet for positive purposes. This has has been such a critical topic as so many of us have had to rely on technology to learn, connect and socialise over the recent lockdowns.
This coincided perfectly with both World Mental Health Day (10 October) and a recent global report regarding online abuse that was prominent in the news last week.
The Free to be Online report surveyed 14,000 girls aged 15-25 from 33 countries. In Australia, the poll found that two-thirds of the 1000 young women had experienced some form of online harassment, with most girls starting to experience this from the ages of 12-16.
After reading through the findings of the report and discussing what we could do about it, we then looked at six simple tips on how to use social media in a positive way from Beyond Blue. These tips are very simple and are a terrific tool to reframe anyone’s (not just kids) social media use to ensure that it is a positive experience rather than a negative one.
Following on from this work, we are excited to have Project Rockit delivering an incursion sequence of four half-hour webinars that support our students to explore how to safely and positively engage with the digital world. Practical strategies will be shared to build digital wellbeing and learn how to grow awesome friendships and connection – on and offline. Through engaging exercises, our students will grow their leadership skills to create positive action online, in a time where all of our actions can make a difference.