Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community,
Welcome to the month of June, which means we have finished the Easter season within the Liturgical season within our Church, as we talk of the 50 days of Easter which finished with the Feast of Pentecost — which many regard as the birth of our Church. June, of course, also brings the beginning of winter, which means cold, wet days, but also long, dark nights and days with grey skies. Some people struggle with what they perceive as the bleakness of the Melbourne winter. I remember driving home from Canberra last year where, although it was cold, the sky was still blue. The closer I got to home, the more grey the sky became. I really do believe Melbourne winters to be beautiful and I try to find beauty around me every day.
Each morning, when Charlie and I stand at the top of the driveway to greet students as they arrive, I try to remind them to have a happy day as it is the only one of that day they will get this week, so happy Friday to each and every one of you. It is the only Friday you will get this week, so take every opportunity to enjoy it.
(1) Social media
Last week I read an article on the ABC news pages about the state of Utah in the United States, with its stunning and famous natural landscapes. It is also known for the Sundance Film Festival. The state also has a high proportion of youth, with one in three being under the age of 18 and with larger families. What interested me is that Utah is about to introduce legislation so that no one under the age of 18 can open up a social media account without parental permission, and parents can monitor their children’s social media accounts and impose curfews. The state is doing this to try to negate the very high incidence of youth mental issues in America, which some describe as being in a crisis. They cite an American study which talks about the persistent sadness of American teens. You can read the report HERE.
A survey of 17,000 adolescents at high schools across the US in 2021 found that nearly three in five teenage girls felt persistent sadness — double the rate of boys. You can read the whole ABC article HERE.
Now, some would say that the state of Utah is over-reacting and that this could well be an invasion of the rights of young people, and that education about the dangers of social media is far more important. Prohibition only forces such issues underground
Education is certainly the key and we know that parents need to be fully involved in that education.
In today's ever-connected world, social media has become an integral part of our lives. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter offer countless opportunities for communication, self-expression, and information sharing. While social media can be a valuable tool, it's essential for us, as parents and educators to understand and address the potential dangers it poses to our children, no matter what their age.
Some research has provided me with the following thoughts which I offer to you:
(1) Cyberbullying: One of the most significant risks associated with social media is cyberbullying. The anonymity and distance provided by online platforms can embolden individuals to engage in hurtful behaviour. As parents, it's crucial for us all to educate our children about the impact of their online actions and encourage them to be kind, respectful, and supportive whenever online.
Navigating how to deal with issues such as cyberbullying can be a daunting prospect. Although the College is here to help you with issues, our influence can be limited. If you are dealing with an issue or would like to know more about how such issues are handled, the eSafety Commissioner has an information page that explains what can be reported to the eSafety Commissioner with some relevant steps to take. You can find a link to the eSafety Commissioner page HERE. This information page also has a link for making a report.
(2) Mental Health Concerns: Constant exposure to social media can lead to negative effects on our mental health. The carefully curated highlight reels of others' lives can create feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Encourage your children to balance their online activities with offline hobbies, spending time with friends, and engaging in physical activities. Physical activity is so very important as is the benefits of team sports.
(3) Privacy and Security: Social media platforms collect vast amounts of personal information. Teach yourselves and your children about the importance of privacy settings, not sharing personal details publicly, and being cautious about accepting friend requests or engaging with strangers online. Remind everyone in your family to regularly update their passwords and be vigilant about phishing attempts and scams.
(4) Online Predators: Unfortunately, the internet is not entirely safe, and there are individuals who seek to exploit vulnerable users, especially children. Educate your children about the dangers of interacting with strangers online and encourage open communication about their online experiences. Establish rules about whom they can connect with and monitor their online activities to ensure their safety. It is a good idea to be connected to your children social pages and monitor activity with open discussion over the dinner table.
(5) Time Management and Distraction: Social media can be incredibly addictive and lead to decreased productivity and academic performance. Encourage your children to develop healthy habits by setting boundaries on screen time and promoting designated "tech-free" hours or zones. Encourage them to use social media as a tool for positive engagement, such as connecting with friends or following educational resources.
I often encourage parents not to allow blue screens in bedrooms after a certain hour, which is age dependent. Phones and computers should be charged in a public place like the kitchen bench. Dinner time could be shared over a dinner table which should be a phone free time.
(6) Inappropriate Content: Social media platforms are home to a vast array of content, not all of which is suitable for our children. Help your children understand the importance of discernment and critical thinking when consuming online content. Encourage them to report and block inappropriate material and provide guidance on filtering or blocking features available on platforms.
(7) Digital Footprint: Remind your children that what they post online can have long-lasting consequences. Potential employers often review social media profiles as part of the selection process. Encourage them to think twice before sharing or posting anything that could potentially harm long term prospects.
As parents and educators, it's crucial that we all establish open lines of communication with our children about social media. Encourage them to come to you with any concerns or issues they encounter online without fear of judgment or punishment. Be proactive in learning about the platforms they use and engage with their online experiences.
Lastly, let us remember that technology itself is not inherently good or bad. It is our responsibility as parents to guide our children and teach them to use social media responsibly and safely. By fostering open dialogue, setting boundaries, and educating our children about the potential dangers, we can empower them to navigate the digital world with confidence and wisdom.
(2) Community Forum Group (CFG)
The Community Forum Group is slowly establishing itself as an important consultation group within the College processes and I encourage parents and community members to become involved. It meets twice a term at 7.30pm and venues very much depend on numbers.
The next scheduled meeting of the CFG is Wednesday 14 June and agenda items include discussion about:
- student free days — the number of them, when and why we have them
- Year 10 2024 and moving forward
- proposed curriculum changes for Years 7 and 8.
If you would like to join the group discussion or if you would like to have something added to the agenda , please email me at principal@mlmc.vic.edu.au. Papers will be distributed via email to all attendees on the Tuesday before the meeting.
(3) Student free day
Lastly a reminder that next Thursday 15 June is a student free day as it is a Professional Practice Day for teachers to finalise the semester’s work.
(4) Term dates
A reminder that the last day of Term 2 for students is Wednesday 21 June at 3.15pm. The first day of Term 3 is Wednesday 12 July, with all year levels commencing with homeroom at 9.00am.
In the spirit of Catherine,
May you all enjoy these last weeks of term.
God bless
Philip A Morison
