News
The popularity of Netflix’s hit TV series “Adolescence” has sparked discussions in schools, homes, and communities across Ireland and abroad.
While is has undoubtedly raised concerns for parents and guardians, there are practical things we can do.
Check out Webwise “7 things parents can do after watching Adolescence” for practical advice on next steps
https://www.webwise.ie/news/7-things-parents-can-do-after-watching-adolescence/
This year’s Safer Internet Day takes places on Tuesday 11th February. The theme is “Prepare/Protect/Thrive: Navigating Algorithms and Influencers.” To access amazing resources to help celebrate this day check out Webwise https://www.webwise.ie/saferinternetday/
The Agree to Agree Pilot Project, supported by the Department of Education thought Oide Technology in Education, hosted a webinar for parents/guardians of school communities involved in the process this year. Thank you to all 465 parents/guardians who attended on the night. We look forward to continuing our “Agree to Agree Pilot Project” with school communities in Clare, Kerry and Navan Education Centres.
Cyber Safe Kids have created a “gadget gift guide” which may come in useful for those considering purchasing a smart device this Christmas. As always, I recommend that we co-own devices with our children so we can help them navigate the online world and help reduce (or at least share) the worries, fears and challenges they face in their online lives. Click on the picture below to go to CyberSafeKids and access their Gadget Gift Guide.
During the month of October, the Agree to Agree Pilot Project supported by the Department of Education through Oide Technology in Education was launched in Clare Education Centre, Tralee Education Support Centre and Navan Education Support Centre, with great success. 21 school communities are involved in the process this year, with the potential of improving the digital wellbeing of over 4000 pupils and over 500 teaching staff combined. The launches were attended by principals, school staff, Board of Management members and parent representatives from the school communities. Participants were extremely enthusiastic about the project and we thank them for their engagement in the Agree to Agree Process. Over the course of the year, we will work with our participating school communities and facilitate them in enhancing the online lives of their pupils through a collaborative approach.
On Wednesday 25th September, 10 Clare primary school communities who participated in the Agree to Agree project during the academic year 2023-2024, attended an event hosted by Clare Education Centre and Dr. Maureen Griffin to launch their Agreements. Those participating in the Agree to Agree Pilot project during the current academic year were also in attendance. On the night, guests heard from Martin Moloney, Director of Clare Education Centre, Dr. Maureen Griffin, Forensic Psychologist and facilitator of the project, in addition to a principal, a board of management member and a parent representative from three separate schools who participated in the project. The night was a great success, and we would like to congratulate the 10 Clare schools for their extensive collaboration with the wider school community culminating in unique agreements centred on issues most relevant to their school communities. We are eagerly looking forward to working with our new schools in the months ahead.
We are all dealing with an extremely difficult and stressful time. Our devices, which are now a lifeline during lockdown, can also be a source of stress with daily news updates and notifications. For younger children, it is easier to shelter them from the news, the stories etc. but for older children, particularly those who have their own devices, this can be more difficult.
A big challenge for children is determining what is real and what is not!! It is important to talk together as a family, find out what is worrying them/concerning them, share your feelings and encourage critical thinking of content they view online.
Common Sense Media have provided a great article on “Helping Kids Sort Fact From Fiction About The Coronavirus”. They also offer some good advice on helping the family de-stress Help Your Family De-Stress During Coronavirus Uncertainty
Stay safe, connected and kind,
Maureen
We all make comparisons, it is human nature. We compare ourselves to others in real life and now online. However, the comparisons we make to those images we see online are often not fair -we are comparing ourselves to an illusion, an edited version of reality.
In my workshops with students across Ireland, students commonly tell me they see hundreds of images on a daily basis. This is not surprising, given that image based platforms such as Instagram, boast 95+ million pictures and videos shared daily.
The following infographics from Common Sense Media provide parents/teachers with practical tips on addressing body image with both males and females.
For more information check out Common Sense Media “Children, Teens, Media and Body Image” Report.
Netflix is hugely popular with adults and children alike. While a lot of the content can be educational and beneficial, there is also a lot of age-inappropriate content especially for children at primary school level. Here is a handy guide from Common Sense Media on setting parental controls on Netflix.
If you are thinking of getting a smart speaker this Christmas, Caroline Knorr from Common Sense Media has some good advice.
You can read the article here and see more advice for parents at Common Sense Media
