FROM THE DEAN OF STUDENT WELLBEING

Supporting Students to Build Healthy Online Habits

This term, the College has worked with every year level through Personal Development lessons focused on online safety, current laws and changes, social media trends, respectful online behaviour and digital wellbeing. These sessions aimed to educate students about the realities and risks of online engagement, while also equipping them with practical knowledge around reporting concerns, seeking help and accessing support if they experience negative online interactions. As technology and online spaces continue to evolve rapidly, schools and families play an important role in working together to support young people in navigating this space safely and positively.

Digital technologies are part of everyday life for most children and young people. While social media can provide opportunities for connection, creativity and entertainment, it can also expose young people to pressures that impact wellbeing, self-esteem and mental health. Many social media platforms are designed to keep users scrolling through constant notifications, endless videos and disappearing stories. Over time, this can make it difficult for young people to switch off and maintain healthy balance in their daily lives. Young people are also still developing the parts of the brain responsible for emotional regulation, impulse control and decision-making. Because of this, they can be more vulnerable to online pressures such as comparison, online validation and fear of missing out.

It is also important for parents and guardians to recognise that young people may come across upsetting or harmful online experiences, including manipulative content, pornography or requests to share images. Having regular, age-appropriate conversations about online experiences can help children feel safer and more confident to seek support if something concerns them.

Some helpful ways families can support healthy online habits include:

• Encouraging regular device-free time
• Setting healthy boundaries around screen time
• Supporting sleep, physical activity and offline hobbies
• Talking openly about online experiences and pressures
• Modelling healthy technology habits as adults
• Checking in regularly about what young people are engaging with online

It is important to remind young people that their worth is not measured by likes, followers or online approval. Helping them build confidence, resilience and strong real-world relationships is essential for long-term wellbeing.

The Australian eSafety Commissioner also highlights the importance of taking regular breaks from devices, recognising when online habits may be affecting mood or relationships, and encouraging balance between online and offline life.

There are also some excellent support platforms and resources available for both parents and young people navigating this fast-moving and ever-changing digital space. Please see the links below for further support, information and guidance around online safety, wellbeing and healthy online habits:

Parents | eSafety Commissioner

Parenting teens: support & advice | ReachOut Parents

Young People | eSafety Commissioner

A Safe Place to Chat Anonymously, Get Support & Feel Better | ReachOut Australia

Together, schools and families can continue partnering to support the wellbeing, safety and healthy development of our young people both online and offline.

Tenille Hambly

DEAN OF STUDENT WELLBEING