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School and digital communication: 7 tips for parents.
The digital world is here to stay. Communication with and at school mostly happens online. Also, talks with classmates and peers. This affects how your child feels at school. How do you handle this? We give you 7 tips.
1. Discuss the school rules with your child
Good manners help create a pleasant school climate, both online and offline. It helps when teachers and parents agree. Your child will feel better at school and outside school.
What rules does the school have about using phones? Which apps does the school use to communicate with you and your child? What agreements are made about contact with teachers? Find these in the school rules. Usually, you can find them in the school guide. Parents in the school participation council talk about the phone and app policy of the school.
App groups with classmates can cause problems. Ask the school how they handle this:
- Are teachers in the class app?
- Are there rules about what is accepted by the school?
- What does the school do if something goes wrong in the class app?
2. Teach your child respectful online behaviour
Talk from a young age with your child about the online world and online experiences. Ask what videos your child has seen online, or talk about something you watch together on TV. You can then talk about how to deal with it, what is fun, what is hard, and what risks there are.
Make clear that you treat each other with respect online. Bullying, sharing nasty or explicit videos, and excluding children is not okay. Remember the digital grey area is large, with jokes that can be funny, meant well, but not for everyone. Discuss with your child where their own limits are. When you make rules together, your child understands why it is important and often follows the rules better.
3. Set a good example
Your child watches you as an example. Act the way you want your child to act. Be respectful in communication with and about school and peers. Do not expect replies outside school hours. Do not constantly check online for grades or absences.
Tip: use the WAIT principle and teach it to your child. Before you post something online, ask yourself: Is it True? Is it Kind? Is it Important? Does it Help everyone? And: Is the Timing right?
4. Share experiences with the school
Digital technology changes fast and what children see and experience online is not always easy to follow. Do you hear from your child that something is happening? For example, that nasty videos are shared, children sneak phones into class, or there is a new dangerous TikTok trend? Then inform the school. They can respond in class and take the right action.
Primary and secondary schools pay attention to digital literacy: digital knowledge and skills. Every school must do this. Your child learns how to recognize and use digital technology, but also what the risks are.
5. Give your child space
From the last years of primary school, your child asks for more freedom. This can be scary. Start with small steps. For example, read the class app weekly at first and talk about it together. You can slowly look less often.
Let your child solve hard situations as much as possible. It builds confidence. You are there to talk about the best way to handle the situation.
Many secondary schools also use a student monitoring system or digital learning environment, like SOMtoday or Magister. It shows information about absence, schedules, and grades. Sometimes you get new grades earlier as a parent than your child. Try not to watch too closely. Give your child space to tell you, including about bad grades or skipping school. If it gets out of control, you step in.
6. Make agreements about safety and emergencies
Since new rules about phones at school, your child has less phone access at school. This can be hard. For example, if your child is bullied, needs special care, or if there is an emergency at home or school.
Talk with the school about the agreements. For example, that there is someone your child can trust at school or a contact person for your child and for you as a parent. The school safety policy has all rules about this.
7. Find balance between online and offline
Your child’s brain is still developing. Using the phone a lot can have a negative effect. It is important to have a good balance between screen time, rest and activities. Talk with your child and agree together about how long, on which apps and when your child can be online.
Important guidelines to keep in mind:
- The 20-20 rule: After 20 minutes of screen time, look into the distance for 20 seconds. This reduces the risk of nearsightedness.
- Make sure your child is outside for at least 2 hours a day. This helps your child’s physical and mental health.
- Evening rest: Your child sleeps better if there is no screen time at least one hour before bedtime. Put the phone away on time and keep it downstairs.
This article was made with Remco Pijpers from Kennisnet. You can also find more useful information on the website digitalebalans.nl from Netwerk Mediawijsheid and the Trimbos Institute.
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