8 March 2024
Dear Parents,
In my e-news this week, I speak about us fighting for the sanctity of childhood. I thought it appropriate to share some practical, personal advice on what this fight means on a day-to-day basis.
I would suggest having a device for every function. What I mean by this is to have an iPad for gaming, a laptop for internet searches and a phone for communication. When you have an all-in-one device, monitoring becomes very difficult. Each device is then set up to fulfil the appropriate role and is managed accordingly.
Consider your child's device as you would their bedroom. While they can spend time there, it's your responsibility as a parent to regularly clean and inspect it. At times you walk into the room, sit down, and have a chat. The phone is no different.
Given this perspective, it's important not to treat your child's phone as a strictly personal and private device. You should maintain the right to "walk into" their digital space at any time, sit down, and spend time on the device.
Remember, the more access you give them to apps and websites, the more they are at risk.
Establish clear family rules for online behavior and engage in regular discussions to reinforce these guidelines. Emphasise the importance of trust and mutual accountability in upholding core family values during these conversations.
Sit with your child and actively spend time together online to teach your child appropriate online behaviour.
A phone can be turned into a brick very easily by disabling certain features to restrict access to inappropriate content. If you're unfamiliar with the setup process, there are several parental control apps available that can help protect and monitor children's activities. Some popular options being: Google Family Link, Qustodio, Norton Family, Kaspersky Safe Kids and FamilyTime.
Before choosing a parental control app, consider your specific needs, such as the age of your child, the level of control you want, and the features that are most important to you. Additionally, it's a good idea to involve your child in the conversation and establish clear communication about the purpose of using these tools.
After setting up these features, conduct tests to ensure their functionality. Attempt to search for inappropriate content to confirm that the implemented measures effectively restrict access to undesirable material.
Phones are not the place for internet searches. Let your child use a computer for this. Bookmark favourite websites and never allow them to browse the internet using Privacy mode.
Guidelines to put in place:
When your children have friends over for a playdate, implement a strict "NO device" policy. Don’t be afraid to ask the friend for their device until they go home.
Even at the High School level, it is crucial that your child refrains from viewing content on someone else's phone or allowing a friend to use your phone for online activities. I cannot stress this point enough.
Never allow your child’s phone in his or her bedroom at night, designate a central charging station in a common area.
Always position the computer in a common area where you can observe and monitor its usage.
Regularly check your credit card and phone bills for any unfamiliar account charges that may indicate unauthorised transactions.
It's important not to be naive and assume that inappropriate online behavior is exclusive to boys; it can affect anyone.
It's also essential to avoid the mindset that challenges or risks wouldn't affect "my" child, assuming they would never engage in certain behaviours, again it can impact anyone.
I trust that you will find these guidelines valuable and practical in maintaining a secure online environment for our children. Your vigilance and proactive approach contribute significantly to their online safety.
Help us to uplift the Clifton Gardens!
You can help us to uplift the Clifton gardens simply by giving your child money for a hot dog this coming Monday. All the proceeds from this coming Monday’s sales, will be exclusively allocated to our garden upliftment program.
This initiative is being led by the dedicated efforts of Nicole McCormick and Colleen Bromilow, who have generously invested incredible amounts of their time and energy to ensure the success of this project.
To further support their commendable work, additional funds for the purchase of grass, plants, flowers, and other necessities would be highly appreciated. Moreover, donations of indigenous plants from your own garden would also be welcomed as a valuable contribution to the project. If you wish to make an additional donation towards this initiative, please reach out to Jenna Reinhardt, our PA Chairlady, at parent.association@cliftonprep.org.za.
Your involvement and generosity will undoubtedly contribute to the success of this worthwhile project of enhancing the aesthetic appeal of our Clifton campus.
