Dear Parents and Carers,

Over recent weeks, teachers and parents have shared concerns about what children are encountering online — particularly on popular platforms such Roblox and YouTube. Please see the attached links from Common Sense Media. Some students have reported seeing or hearing content that isn’t age-appropriate, or interacting with people they don’t know online.

We understand that keeping up with the fast-changing digital world can be challenging. For many children, online spaces are where they play, learn, and connect. Our aim isn’t to discourage technology use, but to help families guide children towards safe, balanced and positive online habits.

At New Farm State School, we’re committed to working alongside families to help every child use technology safely and responsibly. Below are trusted resources and a Family Tech Agreement template to support conversations and create shared expectations around technology use at home.

Trusted Resources for Families

 eSafety Commissioner – Family Tech Agreements

• Printable agreements for different age groups (including 5–8 years).
• Encourage open conversations about when, where and how children use technology.
   Create a Family Tech Agreement (Australian Government – eSafety)

 eSafety Commissioner – Parental Controls

• Step-by-step guides to set safety and privacy settings on devices, games and apps.
   How to set up Parental Controls

Common Sense Media – Family Tech Planners

• Free templates for deciding “when, where, and how long” technology is used at home.
   Family Tech Planner (Common Sense Media)

Daniel Morcombe Foundation – Family Technology Agreement Guide

• A practical guide to creating your own family technology plan, tailored to your needs.
   Download the Guide (PDF)

Creating Your Family Tech Plan

A Family Tech Agreement helps children and parents set clear boundaries and expectations together. You might include:

• When technology can be used (e.g. after homework, no screens before bed).
• Where devices are used and charged (e.g. shared family spaces).
• Which apps or games are appropriate and how chat features are managed.
• Who your child can communicate with online.
• What to do if something online makes them feel worried or uncomfortable.

The most important step is having regular, open conversations — and reminding children they can always speak up if something doesn’t feel right.

Why This Matters

Children are spending more time online than ever before — for learning, play, and connection. While many experiences are positive, risks such as exposure to unsuitable content, online contact from strangers, or unkind interactions can occur.

By setting clear expectations both at home and at school, we help children build digital resilience, manage screen time, and make thoughtful choices online.

Working Together

At school, we are embedding lessons on online safety, respectful communication, and digital wellbeing into our programs. We encourage families to complement this at home by using the resources above and discussing online experiences regularly.

If you have any concerns or questions about your child’s online activity, please reach out. Together, we can help every child become a safe, responsible and confident digital citizen.

Kind regards

Peter Curby