DIGITAL WORLD JUST FOLLOW THE RULES

Susan McLean

Susan McLean returned to The Rockhampton Grammar School in May to talk with both students, from Year 5 to Year 12, and parents about the importance of your digital footprint and being brave enough to set the boundaries to better help and protect your family and friends.

Australia’s foremost expert in the area of cyber safety and was a member of Victoria Police for 27 years. Widely known as the ‘cyber cop’ she was the first Victoria Police Officer appointed to a position involving cyber safety and young people. In 2003 she was the Victoria Police Region Four Youth Officer of the Year. She has also been awarded The National Medal and the Victoria Police Service Medal and 2nd Clasp, and the National Police Medal.

“You don’t parent online and offline,’’ Susan McLean said.

“It’s about educating parents about the reality of the digital world – not their perception of it, not their experience with it, because that would be different. This is what will be confronting your children.

“Kids are good at following school rules, by in large, following the rules at home, by in large, following the laws in the community, by in large.

“When it comes to the internet that goes out the window. There’s an assumption it’s different. And it’s not. My kids are safe online. That random person you are trying to keep your child away from on the street corner goes home and uses the internet. That’s where they will find your child. Not on the street corner.”

Susan said there is no discussion around social media until your child is 13-years-old.

Each social media site and app has its own criteria for minimum age requirements. Most require users to be at least 13 years of age before they can register, although some sites are created especially for children under 13

“You don’t have your child lie to go somewhere they shouldn’t be that is a known place of risk,’’ said Susan, advice she also offers to those parents and older siblings who are lying for a younger family member to access social media.

“How do you justify that in your brain. I’m happy to put my little kid somewhere they shouldn’t be and I’m going to help them lie to get there, because you’re not going to do that anywhere else in their life.”

Susan said the earlier you start with the good habits the better the outcome will be.

“As much as they say bad habits are hard to break, good habits are hard to break too,’’ Susan said.

Susan said most children understand rules.

“When I speak to the primary children we talk about the rules and why we have them. Rules keep them safe and you can follow them,’’ Susan said.

Susan said parents could feel unsure, scared, they believe their child, they don’t want their child to miss out.

“You are setting your child up for failure if you don’t teach them to follow the rules,’’ Susan said.

“Mixed messages with kids are a recipe for disaster. They need clear and consistent messages. No where else in their life will they lie to be somewhere they shouldn’t be. They might try but you won’t endorse that.

“Technology is part and parcel of everyone’s life and it’s a good part. I wouldn’t want to go back to not having it because there are so many benefits. As a society across the board we’re not there yet as far as understanding the danger.”

Susan said “talk early, talk often”.

“The earlier you start the better. And that’s anything to do with parenting. If you try to change the rules with an 18-year-old it’s probably not going to work. It’s never too late to start. How successful you will be if you start later is debatable.

“You’ll never forgive yourself if there’s something you could have done that you didn’t do and it’s ended poorly.

“I don’t want you to be the parents with regrets. Have a crack at doing it. Like anything you teach children from a young age – say please and thank you, use your knife and fork. You work on that, you don’t leave it and hope for the best.”

Susan also asks parents to remind themselves to be good role models with technology. Don’t say no phones at the table when you, as a parent, are sitting there with your phone.

“Don’t give in and stay strong. Kids don’t need a 40-year-old best friend.”

Mobile Phones in Schools

Mobile phones are common place in today’s world, but where is their place in the school system?

In the debate of mobile phones at school, Susan McLean is a definite NO!

“Every other state in Australia has a total mobile phone ban, and now there’s some push in Queensland to ask why not here?” Susan said.

“At any school, anywhere in Australia, there’s a big sign – all visitors must report to the office. Because you don’t want strangers on school grounds,’’ Susan said.