The evolution of screen time for children and parents has been exponential in the past decade. When I was child TV was the only option. We were protected from adult content by the watershed – the time of day when programmes with content deemed only suitable for mature audiences began. The tide has well and truly turned. The content available on streaming services, You Tube and on demand TV is never ending. It is now the responsibility of the parents to create a safe viewing harbour for their child.

The lure of gaming devices is also huge. Children love to play Roblox with their school friends after school, but again this seemingly innocent game can expose children to adult content and contact with strangers through the chat function. Phone use is also on the rise. We highly recommend that you hold off buying a phone until Year 9. In a small school like ours the peer pressure is much lower. They simply don’t need one. Messaging apps are a minefield for tweens. From Snapchat to Discord, children in Years 7 and 8 lack the maturity to consistently make good choices, which can have serious consequences.

If you want to learn more, please visit our online Safety Hub which provides trusted digital safety advice for caregivers. Hit the Parental Controls tab and register for the free Qustodio Parent Account. This will enable you to set parental controls on two devices at no cost. It appears as a one-month trial after which time it reverts to the free package for schools.

Mrs Spicer, Deputy Principal