Our students are connected learners, engaging daily in digital environments for education, communication and social interaction. Alongside these opportunities comes an important responsibility: ensuring students feel safe, confident and supported when navigating online spaces.
Recent national conversations about underage social media use have highlighted growing concerns around online safety, privacy and wellbeing. Platforms such as Discord, Snapchat and others are increasingly part of young people’s social lives, often beyond the visibility of schools and families. This makes it more important than ever that students develop strong digital citizenship skills and that families feel equipped to support them.
At VSV, digital citizenship is embedded in our approach to learning and wellbeing. We encourage students to be respectful, informed and proactive online, aligning with guidance from organisations such as the eSafety Commissioner and UNICEF Australia, both of which provide excellent resources for building online safety awareness and social media literacy.
Making Safe Connections Online
Safe online connection means interacting with others in ways that are respectful, appropriate and protective of personal boundaries. Healthy online friendships are characterised by kindness, mutual respect and honesty. Students should feel comfortable being themselves without fear or pressure.
However, there are also warning signs to watch for. Red flags can include requests for personal information, pressure to move conversations to private channels, exclusion or behaviour that feels uncomfortable or inappropriate. Students should be encouraged to trust their instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
Maintaining boundaries is key. This includes keeping personal information private, being mindful of what is shared and understanding that it is okay to say no or disengage from interactions that feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
If You Feel Unsafe or Uncomfortable
If a student feels unsafe online, there are immediate steps that should be taken:
- Stop engaging with the person or content
- Save evidence such as screenshots or messages
- Block or report the user on the platform
Most importantly, students should talk to someone they trust. At VSV, this could be a teacher, Learning Advisor, Year Level Coordinator or a member of the Wellbeing team. Seeking help is always encouraged and will be met with care and support.
Escalation and Reporting
When incidents occur on external platforms (such as Discord), students should first use the platform’s reporting tools. Families should be informed early, particularly if the issue involves ongoing harassment, safety concerns or inappropriate content.
The school should also be notified so we can provide guidance and support. While we may not control external platforms, we play an important role in supporting students, advising families and helping with escalation to platform providers or authorities where appropriate.
How VSV Supports Students & Families
VSV takes a proactive approach to student wellbeing through education, early intervention and ongoing support. Our programs focus on building students’ resilience, digital awareness and help-seeking confidence. When concerns are raised, our Wellbeing team works collaboratively with students and families to ensure appropriate support is in place. We also recognise that families are key partners in this work.
Open communication, shared understanding and access to trusted resources, such as those from the eSafety Commissioner and UNICEF, help create a consistent and supportive approach to online safety.
By working in partnership, we can empower our students to navigate online spaces with confidence, responsibility and care.
Mal McIver
Assistant Principal: Student Engagement and Wellbeing (Mon-Tue-Thu-Fri)
Acting Executive Principal (Wed)
