Last term the College Leadership Team gifted a voucher to all BDC staff to acknowledge the wonderful work they had done with our students and community during a very long term. The voucher could be used during the school holidays and staff could choose from several businesses that were aligned with our BDC families. Eateries and self-care were the desired choices for most staff this time.
The list of businesses that we used came from our BDC Business Directory. We often turn to this directory for specific needs and now this wellbeing initiative. So, if you have a family business and are connected to Bishop Druitt College, please use this link to fill in the details:
https://www.bdc.nsw.edu.au/our-community/business-directory
As families transition back to pre-COVID routines, some are still struggling to re-establish boundaries and rules around using screen-based devices. Many parents continue to deal with digital conflict and tech-tantrums on a daily basis. In this month’s edition of SchoolTV, care-givers will be provided with a range of guidelines and strategies to help manage screen time at home.
As a result of the global pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift in the amount of time people spend on screen-based devices. Families are transitioning back to pre-COVID routines but many are still struggling to re-establish the boundaries and rules around screen use. Some continue to deal with digital conflict and tech-tantrums on a daily basis. The latest research found that 77% of teenagers spend more than five hours on screens per day, but it is important to note that not all screen time is considered equal.
Parents play a crucial role in modelling a positive and healthy approach to using screens and assisting children to navigate the content they watch. It is better to model and mentor screen use, rather than monitor it. Children tend to do more of what they see us do, and less of what we tell them to do. However, it is still important to outline the risks and highlight the benefits of screen use to ensure you keep a balanced attitude. Encourage discussions around the issues that people experience in monitoring their screen time and be honest about your own difficulties.
Parents need to remain firm in their approach to managing screen time. Excessive screen time can be detrimental to a child’s overall wellbeing. Ensuring the correct privacy settings are in place is vital to prevent children from being inadvertently exposed to inappropriate content or online predators. Parents need to also be mindful of the potential impact screen time can have on a child’s social, emotional, educational, behavioural, and even physical domains.
In this edition of SchoolTV, care-givers will be provided with a range of guidelines and strategies to help manage screen time at home. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to this month's edition https://bdc.nsw.schooltv.me/newsletter/managing-screen-time
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