Navigating Social Media Together, Government, Schools, Parents – Jennifer Oaten
Does your daughter have a phone, a laptop and access to social media? Most young people do.
As a nation, we are moving closer to supporting global change in the world of technology. Social media has gone unregulated for years, with much freedom, few regulations or safety measures, and big tech giants having little accountability. There has been little oversight for what is posted and who can access material, with profit being the driving force behind these platforms.
The owners of these platforms have little or no concern for the health and wellbeing of their users and continue to deny the harm they are causing our young people. The best option would be if young people did not have access to smartphones and no access to social media, but given today’s reliance on technology, this is hardly feasible.
Social Media Age Limits
The Australian government’s proposal to set the minimum age for social media at 16 is a step in the right direction. The aim is to reduce the negative impacts these platforms can have on young people, especially around mental health. However, enforcing these laws will be challenging. Social media companies like Meta, Google, and TikTok will need to monitor risks, protect users, and find ways to minimise harm.
If this legislation succeeds, it could set an example globally for protecting young users in the digital world.
Steps Taken by Schools
Schools are fully aware of the impact of phones and social media every day. Whether it is poor online behaviour, online bullying, sharing images or accessing inappropriate material, in addition to the impact of lack of sleep and the escalating incidence of mental health issues, while schools play a big role, the truth is, we cannot do it alone.
Hale School recently announced that it will introduce a school policy that delays student ownership and use of smartphones in an effort to protect its younger students. From 2025, the School’s expectation is that students in the Junior School and Year 7 should not own a smartphone or smartwatch and should not have access to social media.
At Santa Maria, we have focused on
- Educating Students
- Developing Policies
- Partnering with Parents.
Educating Students
We prioritise equipping students with the skills to navigate the digital world safely. Key initiatives include:
Understanding Digital Footprints
Students learn to
- protect personal information
- seek permission from others before sharing photos or content
- understand the lasting consequences of their online actions
Structured Research Modules
 Modules via our Library platform provide students with:
- Â guides that promote focused research, which limit opportunities for the use of inappropriate sites
- resources that minimise time wasting and encourage critical thinking
Online Safety Education
We provide opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of the online world through:
- Specialised courses: Privacy, digital footprints, online safety, and becoming ‘upstanders’ against negative behaviour.
- Expert presentations: Covering topics like sexting laws and the risks of sharing intimate images.
- Guest speakers: Safety advocate Paul Litherland equips students with practical tools for digital safety.Â
Healthy Relationships Online and Offline
We focus on fostering respect and empathy in both digital and face-to-face interactions. Our workshops teach students to:
- Understand the power of words and their impact
- Resolve conflicts respectfully
- Take action when witnessing inappropriate behaviour online
- Report and block cyber bullying
- Use anonymous reporting tools on social media platforms
- Make conscious choices to align their actions with our values
Balancing Technology and Wellness
We understand the importance of balance. Our Wellness Connect platform encourages:
- Adequate sleep
- Tech-free time to support mindfulnessÂ
Our Academic Captain for 2025 aptly said, “It is important for students to surround themselves with people who make good choices.” This highlights the role of peer influence in shaping online behaviour.
Developing Policies
Our mobile phone policy reflects our commitment to student learning and wellbeing. When we introduced this policy several years ago, our goal was not just to minimise distractions but to create opportunities for more focused, deeper learning and stronger peer connections. The results have been very positive.
- Years 5 & 6: Phones are handed to the class teacher at the start of the day and returned at the end.
- Years 7–12: Phones remain locked in lockers from arrival until 3.20 pm.
If we see a phone, we confiscate it.
Click HERE to read the full policy.
This policy is more than just a set of rules; it is a framework for helping students build habits that support their wellbeing.
Partnering with Parents – Families Take the Lead
Helping young people navigate the digital world successfully requires teamwork. While Santa Maria sets clear boundaries during school hours and provides education to empower students, the reality is that parents are the primary influence in their child’s digital life. The habits and behaviours formed at home have the most lasting impact, and this is where parents play a pivotal role.
Schools cannot do this alone, nor should they. Parents must take the lead, and schools are here to support you.
We support your efforts at home by collaborating with experts like Paul Litherland to provide practical tools and strategies. Initiatives such as our parent webinar, ‘My Teen and Social Media,’ help create a united approach to ensure your child’s online and offline wellbeing
Click HERE to read our blog with more insights from Paul Litherland.
Practical Steps for Supporting Your Child’s Digital Wellbeing
Here are actionable steps you can take to make a big difference:
- Consider Saying ‘No’ to Smartphones: If your child needs a phone, opt for a basic ‘dumb phone’ without social media apps.
- Gradual Introduction: Start with a restricted and graduated approach to devices to encourage responsible use.
- Keep Phones Out of Bedrooms Overnight: Charge devices in a common area to support better sleep.
- Set Clear Expectations: Use a mobile phone contract to outline rules and consequences from the start. Click here for a sample contract
- Monitor Apps and Privacy Settings: Know which apps your child uses, follow their accounts, and ensure privacy settings are set to the highest level.
- Have Open Conversations: Talk about what they post and why they post it, and even consider the long-term impact of what you post about them.
- Encourage Speaking Out: Support your child in addressing poor online behaviour, whether by reporting it or calling it out respectfully.
- Discuss Image Sharing: Emphasise the importance of never sharing inappropriate images or videos and the risks involved.
- Set Time Limits: Limit screen time on school nights and during holidays to encourage a balanced lifestyle.
- Create a Tech-Free Hour Before Bed: Blue light disrupts sleep patterns, so ensure all devices are off well before bedtime.
- Ban Phones at the Dinner Table: This applies to everyone, including parents, to foster connection and conversation.
- Schedule Digital Detox Days: Plan regular breaks from technology to help reset and recharge.
- Teach Reporting Tools: Encourage your child to report inappropriate behaviour to the eSafety Commissioner, the police, or the school when needed. Report online harm | eSafety Commissioner
These small steps can make a big difference in helping your child navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
I am proud of what we have achieved so far and look forward to continuing this work alongside our community. When schools, families, and the government work together, we can help young people navigate the digital age with confidence.Â
Additional Readings
- Cyberbullying Prevention, Digital Wellbeing, Featured, Parenting and Technology, School Policies on Phones, Social Media Safety, Teen Technology Use
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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