Surrey Schools helps students and parents navigate the internet and media safely
The district's Safe Schools department is educating students and parents on how to stay safe online through presentations on internet and social media safety, as well as media literacy with TV and movie streaming. (Image via iStock)
Internet safety has always been among the district's top priorities, and in the age of social media and streaming services, the district's Safe Schools department is working to educate students and parents on how to stay safe when online.
The department recently gave presentations at a number of elementary and secondary schools to talk about dangerous behaviour on social media apps, media literacy with TV and streaming programs, and resources for better discerning appropriate content for different age groups.
"With all of the different apps and forms of social media out there, we want to make sure students and their families understand what can happen on those platforms and learn some safety tips to ensure they're aware of any dangers," said Sarah McKay, manager of Safe Schools. "It's an overall safety and awareness presentation about the potential dangers of the internet as well as how to stay safe when online."
With popular apps such as TikTok and Snapchat, McKay said it's important for kids and teens to know how strangers can use social media to pose as someone else, and understand that what they post online exists forever, even if it's supposedly designed to disappear.
Presentations are conducted by Safe Schools staff, including liaisons who work at many of the district's secondary schools and are familiar with how students are utilizing social media and what is trending. The presentations can be tailored to specific topics and can be requested by schools and PACs to learn more about online safety. The team has customized presentations for specific audiences, including parents and students of all ages.
"Many of our staff are already connected to the school so having them give the presentation helps the students relate," said McKay. "It can also be more impactful to have a new voice come in and deliver the presentation, instead of the teacher, talking about what they can experience if they engage negatively online."
For managing the media kids consume, McKay recommends Common Sense Media, a website that rates movies, TV shows, books, video games and apps based on educational value, violence, sexual content, language, consumerism and drinking, drugs and smoking.
"Parents can look up an app or a show or a movie and it will give a full breakdown of whether it's appropriate. Then it's up to them to decide if they want their kids to have access to it," said McKay.
Schools or PACs interested in scheduling a presentation by Safe Schools can email SAFE-Office@surreyschools.ca
