{"id":5255,"date":"2013-08-16T02:30:41","date_gmt":"2013-08-16T02:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/webdev\/ipadportal\/?page_id=55"},"modified":"2026-03-04T11:34:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T00:34:26","slug":"usage-agreement-archive","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/portal.beaconhills.vic.edu.au\/belearning\/usage-agreement-archive\/","title":{"rendered":"Online Safety and Digital Citizenship 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Steps\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At Beaconhills College we believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, but this comes with a level of responsibility.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Becoming a positive digital citizen is a skill that all Internet users need to embrace. We incorporate this behaviour into our classes and promote students having a clear conversation with their teachers and parents to build a positive online culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A year\u2011long initiative helping students, parents and staff navigate fast\u2011moving digital choices.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Launch event | Wednesday 4 March 2026<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Technology Use Agreements<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Beaconhills College has a Technology Use Agreement for Prep- Year 4 and a second agreement for Years 5-12. These agreements are phrased in language suitable for each age group. Each agreement is distributed through Consent2Go. Every year, the student and a parent are expected to sign the agreement.
It is worthwhile for parents to explain and and discuss the agreement with their child prior to signing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two agreements can be found below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prep \u2013 Year 4 Technology Use Agreement<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Years 5-12 Technology Use Agreement<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>Office of the eSafety Commissioner<\/h2>\n

eSafety<\/a>\u00a0is a national cybersafety and cybersecurity education program managed by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner, as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to cybersafety. The program is specifically designed to meet the needs of its target audiences of children, young people, parents, teachers and library staff.<\/p>\n

There are many great resources at the eSafety<\/a> website.
– A dedicated parents<\/a> section with guides to assist children online, including free webinars<\/a>\u00a0specifically for parents and carers. (Registration required)
– A description of many social media apps<\/a> and advice for parents if these apps are suitable for your child.
– Age appropriate resources for children – Get Help<\/a>\u00a0including videos, games and guides.<\/p>\n

eSmart from the Alannah and Madeline Foundation\"\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

eSmart<\/a>, an initiative of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, helps teachers, librarians and the greater community to best manage cyber risks, bullying and cyber bullying issues so students feel safer and supported.<\/p>\n

It is a Framework that sits across the entire\u00a0community \u2013 teachers, students, parents and the library community.<\/p>\n

eSmart is a long-term change program designed to educate, track, monitor and prevent bullying and cyber bullying. eSmart Schools and Libraries are tailor-made and designed to effect change in that specific environment.<\/p>\n

In their Cyber and Digital Literacy Resources section<\/a> they provide strategies and resources on a range of online services and apps.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Cybersafety from Victorian Government\"Bullystoppers_logo\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

The Victorian Government provide their Bullystoppers<\/a> website that has a variety of resources for students, parents and schools. Their cybersafety section has some great advice, in text form. It is not as dynamic or interactive like the Cybersmart website, but there are some local links that can be helpful.<\/p>\n

Cybersafety from New South Wales Government\"\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

School A to Z<\/a> is provided by the NSW government, similar to the Bullystoppers website.<\/p>\n

Common Sense Media\"\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

Common Sense Media<\/a> is an American organisation that provides the most comprehensive resources in Digital Citizenship and safety.
They offer:
– Parental guides to movies<\/a>
– Guides to apps and their ratings<\/a>
– Advice for parents<\/a>. (Note: It is a very US centric guide)
– Free iBooks<\/a> about different aspects of Digital Citizenship.<\/p>\n

Managing Technology in the Home – Tips for Parents<\/h2>\n
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  1. Build an open trusting relationship around technology<\/strong> \u2014 keep communication open and supportive so your child knows they can come to you if something goes wrong or does not feel right online.<\/li>\n
  2. Use devices in open areas of the home<\/strong> \u2014 this can help you manage and be aware of who your child interacts with online through phones, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles and other connected devices.<\/li>\n
  3. Set time limits that balance time spent in front of screens with offline activities<\/strong> \u2014 a family technology plan can help you to manage expectations around where and when technology use is allowed \u2014 you could even fill in an Early Years Family Tech Agreement.<\/li>\n
  4. Know the apps, games and social media sites your kids are using,<\/strong> making sure they are age-appropriate, and learn how to limit messaging or online chat and location-sharing functions within apps or games, as these can expose your child to unwanted contact and disclose their physical location. For more advice The eSafety Guide includes information to help parents and carers choose safer apps and report and block unwanted contact and sexual approaches.<\/li>\n
  5. Use available technologies to set up parental controls on devices<\/strong> that can filter harmful content, monitor your child\u2019s use and limit or block their time on connected devices or functions (e.g. cameras, in-app purchases).<\/li>\n
  6. Check the privacy settings on the games and apps<\/strong> your child is using and make sure their profiles are turned on to the strictest privacy setting. Restrict who can contact your child or ask them to check in with you before accepting new friends.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Source:\u00a0“COVID-19 Global online safety advice for parents and carers<\/a>” – Office of the eSafety Commissioner .
    Booklet available for free download.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow the Heck!?\u201d FREE eBook\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0– Dr Justin Coulson<\/p>\n

    Solutions to the 4 biggest challenges you are facing at the moment:<\/p>\n