Students and Technology

Dear Parents/Legal Guardians

I came across this informative article below and thought it could be of value to you.

Technology has done a lot to make our lives easier and more efficient. Yet as a parent, you ought to be concerned about the impact that devices such as smartphones can have on your child. At a time when it is becoming commonplace for children to have their own mobile device, shouldn’t you be worried about what negative impact a smartphone could have on your child.

What are children so addicted to on their phones and is it impacting their wellbeing? “Is the child getting enough sleep? Exercise? Actual face to face time with friends and family? Is homework getting done? These are the questions you need to ask. Any kind of compulsive activity, whether it be gambling or internet use, really boils down to the displacement of other things. What’s not happening if this is happening?

Many children spend much time in their rooms on devices. Do you know what your children are using their devices for? Another question we need to ask ourselves is, “Do you know your child’s password?” Many children are given a phone for safety reasons and are not always educated on the use and boundaries of their phone. Apps which have location sharing are not safe and have got a number of young people into situations they are not mature enough to manage.

Here are 15 apps parents should look out for on their children’s phones

Helen Del Frate

Dean of Students