Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Aim:

-to consider issues of concern and interest relating to the use of digital technologies by school students

-to examine the role of the school in managing risks related to this use

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Risks:

= circulation of personal identifiers

= known predatory practices of offenders

= anonymity of communication encourages toilet wall psychology

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Risks:

= anti-social and addictive behaviours

= impact of invasive emotional abuse and harassment remains unknown

= many parents are ill-equipped to exercise appropriate supervision and care

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Digital communication is the preferred medium of our youth

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Some myths:+ if we ban it there will be no risk+ the one-off guest lecture for parents will

fix the risk problem+ education professionals can get by without a thorough understanding digital communication+ we had no problems until computer

technology and mobile phones became so popular

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Cyber-bullying and other harmful practices

Cox v State of New South Wales The bullying conduct may only partly occur in the context of school or may be brought into the context of school because some participants in the bullying practices attend the school but some may not…

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Cyber-bullying and other harmful practices

Cox v State of New South Wales The absence of well developed policies, effective risk management strategies, educative programmes for students, parents and teachers may reduce the capacity of the school to respond to the problem effectively…

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Cyber-bullying and other harmful practices

Cox v State of New South Wales Duty required: * management plan for eradicating bullying* the involvement of students as active participants

in anti-bullying initiatives* a vigorous, multi-faceted approach

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

The responsibility of the school:Risk Management

“Schools must play a leading role in the effort to ensure that our young people learn to use the Internet in a safe and responsible manner.”

Bamford, Dr A Cyber-Bullying - AHISA National Conference,

Melbourne, September 2004

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Risk Management StrategiesDevelop a Values Framework to guide decision-making regarding responsible use of technology:

- parents are primary educators- safety and well-being of children and young people is primary consideration- youth should be empowered to build positive school culture

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Risk Management Strategies

Develop a Values Framework to guide decision-making regarding responsible use of technology:

- harassment and bullying is unacceptable- real and direct interaction is more valuable than virtual- internet technology represents potential for valuable learning opportunities

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Risk Management Strategies

Professional Development for Educators designed to… +implement school policies re appropriate use

+implement workplace policies re appropriate use

+guide students to useful, age-appropriate websites

+effectively monitor use of this technology

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Risk Management Strategies

Professional Development for Educators designed to…

+ respond effectively to cases of intimidation and harassment over the internet

+ protect circulation of student identifiers

+ impose and monitor appropriate professional boundaries

+ acquire insight into the local culture

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place? Risk Management Strategies # exercise dynamic community leadership

# develop a multi-faceted approach

# engage in ongoing dialogue with stakeholders

# draw on the expertise of the community

# draw on the resources of service providers

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place? Risk Management Strategies

# develop policies and codes of conduct for school and home # circulate regular articles, tips and websites

# arrange periodic learning opportunities for parents and students

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place? Risk Management Strategies # Empower the student body to promote increased awareness of risks and appropriate conduct

# Create opportunities for discussion groups to meet to explore emerging related issues

# Arrange presentations by government agencies

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Risk Management Strategies

Assessment of practices that increase risk to your community including…

# Sharing of personal identifiers in chat rooms

# Exposure to predatory conduct in chat rooms

# Exposure to offensive or abusive remarks about others

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Risk Management Strategies

Assessment of practices that increase risk to your community including…

# Over-use of internet for purposes of research and study

# Under-developed critical literacy skills of students

# Poor quality of supervision of students

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Risk Management Strategies

Assessment of practices that increase risk to your community including…

# Balance of virtual communication V real social engagement

# Prevalence of anti-social behaviours in students # Prevalence of bullying of any kind within the

community# Skill and knowledge levels of teachers regarding

risk management and appropriate use of internet

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Risk Management Strategies

Assessment of practices that increase risk to your community including…

# Quality of induction and ongoing professional development of staff regarding safe use of digital technologies for students

# Exposure to unsolicited hate mail or pornography

# Prevalent use of violent computer games / videos

Paul Davis Legal

My space… your space… is it a safe place?

Thanks!

Paul Davis Legal