Cybersafety & Technology

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  • 1.  Term 4 Phone Ban

    Posted 22-08-2023 09:06
    Edited by James Reynolds 13-10-2023 12:39

    In Term 4, mobile phones will be banned in NSW Public High Schools. What will this mean at your house? Are you concerned because your child uses their phone to pay for things at the canteen, or hot spot when the school internet is weak, or are you happy to see a renewed focus on getting kids to focus in class and interact more in the playground? Is your school ready? Is your child ready? Let us know what you think.------------------------------
    Pauline Metcalfe
    Federation Of Parents And Citizens Association NSW
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  • 2.  RE: Term 4 Phone Ban

    Posted 01-09-2023 08:59

    I think this is a great idea. The less time they spend on their phone, the better. I hate the idea of kids using their lunchtime to stare at their phones instead of doing some physical activity or at least talking to each other.



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    Leanne Clarke
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  • 3.  RE: Term 4 Phone Ban

    Posted 09-09-2023 23:55

    100% Leanne.

    I believe the benefits of the initiative will be happier, healthier, and more creative kids with greater real life social & communication skills.



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    Darin McLean
    President
    Hobartville Public School
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  • 4.  RE: Term 4 Phone Ban

    Posted 16-10-2023 10:30

    I wonder how schools will roll this out and how parents can be informed as to how to implement this from the home front to support an effective transition to the new rules? It will be great for students to be able to focus on learning and developing and have a break from their phones in the school day. 



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    Eve Clark
    Member
    Parent
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  • 5.  RE: Term 4 Phone Ban

    Posted 17-10-2023 09:45
    Edited by Gemma Jamison 17-10-2023 09:46

    Hi Eve,

    The NSW Government has released some information on their website about how schools might choose to enforce the ban. 

    The methods include

    • Off and Away (in bags while students are at school)
    • Phones in lockers
    • Locked phone pouch
    • Phones collected at the front office

    Which do you think would be the most practical in the school setting? 



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    Gemma
    P&C Community Team
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  • 6.  RE: Term 4 Phone Ban

    Posted 17-10-2023 10:11

    Thanks for the info Gemma. Good question and one I am sure teachers will have the answer to but phones in bags or lockers that are easily accessible to students will mean students will access their phones and many struggle to not look at their phones, so need help with boundaries around this. A collection into a lock box or year box in the classroom each day may avoid the front office being inundated but each school will know what works for their setting. Maybe a way for parents to easily message the school and pass on messages to their child to reduce parent anxiety around contact? Also advice to parents around supporting the new move with phones would be helpful. Do children need data on their phones to travel safely to and from school if they can still access calls to parents and would this reduce students crossing roads looking at phones and not traffic? How can parents be brought together to collaborate on ways to improve the wellbeing of students around phone use, reduce access to inappropriate online content and time spent on phones versus other activities e.g. going to sleep at night? Can we advocate as a P&C group for sites like Omegle etc to be enforced to not allow access by those underage?



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    Eve Clark
    Member
    Parent
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  • 7.  RE: Term 4 Phone Ban

    Posted 19-10-2023 09:19

    So many great questions Eve!

    I'm looking forward to hearing what other parents and carers on the Hub think :)



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    Gemma
    P&C Community Team
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