Social Media and Digital Representation

Social media has become such an integral part of young people’s lives. However, access to apps and platforms requires monitoring and supervision to ensure that they are age-appropriate and used responsibly.

Australian statistics show that 60% of 10 to 11-year-olds are using at least one social media site, with the majority using age-restricted platforms. What children do, post, and say online is permanent and management of their own digital footprint is an important aspect of digital citizenship.

Online Safety

During COVID, the Office of the eSafety Commission saw a 50% increase in cyberbullying among young people in Australia. Young people using new apps and spending more time on social media, while enabling an important mode of connection through the pandemic, increased the likelihood of online conflict, unwanted attention, and exposure to inappropriate content.

In this edition of our weThrive Parent Wellbeing Platform, parents will learn how to talk to their children about the inherent dangers of social media and how to educate their kids to be responsible users in the online world.

These resources, via mystcatherines, offer a range of advice and suggestions for parents, including interviews with leading experts. The Office of eSafety Commission Parents’ Guide to Online Safety is also a valuable resource.

If you have any concerns about your child, please contact their Head of Year or the School Psychologist for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Click here to access the link to the Social Media & Digital Reputation edition.