This week, Australia made headlines by passing a law to ban social media use for children under 16. It is a decision that highlights the growing concern globally about the impact of social media on young people. While social media can be a powerful tool for creativity, learning, and connection, it also comes with risks, particularly for children who may not yet have the maturity to navigate it safely.

At Derby High, we see how the digital world can impact young people’s wellbeing, even at a primary level. While many of our younger pupils are not yet using social media, we know that devices often feature on Christmas wish lists, and the conversations about online safety and appropriate use need to begin early. We encourage parents to carefully consider age-appropriate devices for their children, as well as the apps or platforms they might access. Many social media platforms have a minimum age of 13 or even 16 for good reason. Teaching children how to use technology responsibly starts at home, and we are here to support you in having those important discussions.

In school, we take a proactive approach to promoting healthy habits around technology. For lessons that require technology, we provide access to computers. This ensures pupils can engage with technology meaningfully in a supervised, educational setting. Internet safety is a key part of our PSHE curriculum, where we teach children about responsible online behaviour, understanding risks, and how to stay safe in the digital world.

Introducing technology into children’s lives is not just about access, but about ensuring it is appropriate for their age and stage of development. Whether it is the type of device, the apps they use, or the time spent online, making thoughtful decisions now will help them build healthy habits and grow into confident, responsible users of technology in the future.

Thank you for your support as we work together to guide our children in developing these essential life skills.

To read more of this week’s Primary High Notes,  please click here.