POLICY CONTENT

Digital technologies have become an integral part of many children’s daily lives. For this reason, it is important that our educators are not only familiar with the use of digital technologies, but are able to guide children’s understanding of, and ability to interact, engage, access and use a range of digital technology in a child safe environment. Technology and media items will only be used as an extension to the daily program assisting in the development of social, physical, emotional, cognitive, language, and creative potential of each child. Digital technology can be helpful in the retelling of stories about our culture, help to celebrate diversity and assist in providing an inclusive and equitable educational program. 

The Risk assessment associated with this is: Risk Assessment Template - Computers/Laptops

NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARD (NQS)

QUALITY AREA 1: Educational Program and Practice

1.1.1	Approved learning framework	Curriculum decision-making contributes to each child’s learning and development outcomes in relation to their identity, connection with community, wellbeing, confidence as learners and effectiveness as communicators.
1.1.3	Program learning opportunities	All aspects of the program, including routines, are organised in ways that maximise opportunities for each child’s learning.

PURPOSE

Our School will implement responsible behaviour and limit screen time when using technology, respecting the School, children, and the privacy of families and educators. Educators will exercise appropriate judgement and behave in a professional and ethical manner when using technology. At all times, educators will provide a child safe environment and supervise children when using technology to minimise the opportunity for abuse or other harm to occur (Child Safe Standard 8).

SCOPE

This policy applies to children, families, staff, management, and visitors of the School. 

IMPLEMENTATION

Technology, when used appropriately, can be a tool for learning, especially when educators play an active role. The Internet is a magnificent resource for research, communication, and extending programming ideas and interests. Technology use within our School aims to encourage children to solve problems and use logical reasoning, leading children to make decisions and choices and assisting them to use computer software competently and safely. Our educators are diligent in ensuring children are only able to access age-appropriate technology on any device provided by the School. 

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS 

• App: an abbreviation of the term ‘Application’- refers to small programs that can be downloaded or installed on mobile phones
• Coding: process of creating and inputting messages that can be understood by others or a digital device such as a computer robotic toy or app 
• Digital technology: enables large amounts of data to be stored and shared so it can be accessed, created and used by people anywhere and at any time 
• Digital documentation: recording and analysing children’s engagement and learning using digital tools. (includes photos, text and video and may be communicated via an online program). 
• Interactive whiteboard: a digital screen that projects content for groups of children to view or co-view or co-engage. Incorporates touch sensitive or responsive controls so the user may engage via the screen rather than a mouse or keyboard (source: ECA Statement on young children and digital technologies, 2018.) 

Examples of technology for early childhood education may include: 

• touchscreen devices - tablets (iPads) 
• programs that develop literacy or numeracy skills with ICT such as word processing and desktop publishing 
• internet and information literacy skills 
• Robotic toys - such as bee bots 
• scanners 
• interactive smartboard/data projectors

GOVERNANCE

Management/ Nominated Supervisor/ Responsible Person will:

• provide professional learning to educators and staff in response to the ECA - Statement on young children and digital technology 
• provide professional development, information and resources to educators from the e-Safety Commissioner- Early Years Program 
• provide regular training for all staff on reporting obligations (including mandatory reporting) and child safe practices 
• report any breach of child protection legislation to relevant authorities- police, regulatory authority through NQA ITS portal (see: Child Safe Environment, Child Protection Policies) 
• identify technology training needs of educators for professional development 
• maintain and promote a positive culture that promotes safe, responsible, and respectful use of digital devices and online services 
• reflect on our School’s physical environment, layout and design to ensure it is supports child safe practices when children are engaged in using technology
  • ensure risk assessments are completed for all physical and online activities and identify areas where adults may have opportunities to interact with children unsupervised  
  • identify risks to children’s safety and changes in room set-ups that can indicate areas of higher-risk and become supervision ‘blind spots’ 
  • ensure location of digital technology/equipment allows educators to remain in line-of-sight of other staff members when working with children 
  • only permit children to use devices in open areas where staff can monitor children’s use 
  • ensure all devices are set up safety- with controls, filters for privacy levels and safe search settings 
  • ensure all devices are password protected with access for staff only 
• ensure the School Privacy and Confidentiality Policy is adhered to at all times by educators 
• ensure there is no unauthorised access to the School’s technology facilities (programs, software program etc.) 
• ensure all educators have appropriate login details to provide secure usage 
• ensure all technological devices have current virus protection software installed 
• develop guidelines about how technology will be used within our School 
• provide information to parents about technology use within the School 
• seek permission from families to use digital documentation including photographs of children via social media and/or other forms of documentation platforms (see: Social Media Policy) 
• ensure children, educators and parents are aware of our School’s Complaints Handling Process to raise any concerns they may have about the use of digital technologies or any other matter 
• provide a range of technology devices for educators to utilise- Smartboards, iPads, printers 
• must ensure that no breaches of copyright eventuate if screening/viewing DVDs 
• discuss with educators terms regarding sharing personal data online; ensure children’s personal information where children can be identified such as name, address, age, date of birth etc is not shared online

Educators will: 

• comply with current legislation and School policies  
• keep passwords confidential 
• model appropriate use of digital devices and online services for learning purposes 
• identify and minimise risks to children in physical and online environments 
• only permit children to use devices in open areas of the School to ensure close monitoring and supervision 
• log out of computers and software programs after each use 
• only access and modify files and data for which they have authorisation 
• respond to and report any breaches and incidents of inappropriate use of digital devices and online services to management 
• not harass, slander, intimidate, embarrass, defame, or seek to offend another person, group of people, or organisation via technological devices  
• not make copies of, transmit, steal, or loan copies to other persons of School documents.  
• not use personal mobile devices to take photos at the School, access social media (Facebook, Instagram or other) or breach children and families’ privacy. All mobile phones need to be locked away and not in the staff room. 
• ask permission before taking photos of children on any device so children begin an understanding of how photos of them can be used and where they will be published 
• provide adequate supervision to children when using computers or other technology 
• ensure they are aware of their mandatory reporting requirements and report any concerns related to child safety including inappropriate use of digital technology to the Approved provider or nominated supervisor 
• ensure children’s personal information where children can be identified such as name, address, age, date of birth etc is not shared online 

In relation to children, Educators will: 

GUIDELINE FOR THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNET AT THE AKIDAMY

Guidelines for use of technology within our School:

• implement risk management strategies to ensure children are always supervised when using any digital device 
• use of digital technologies are used to promote social interactions between children, peers and adults 
• programs must be carefully selected and be suitable to the needs and developmental levels of each child using or watching various types of technology or media 
• programs and apps will be chosen to support and promote children’s cognitive investment 
• all online devices have appropriate filtering and monitoring in place with safe settings activated 
• all devices are password protected with access for staff only 
• postural awareness will be promoted when using devices 
• technology is used to assist in expanding the content of the daily program and appropriate current affairs (e.g., the Olympic Games, environmental resources) 
• technology is predominantly used where play-based and ‘hands-on’ experiences cannot provide the same information (e.g., investigating planets or dinosaurs). It will not replace appropriate experiences nor professional pedagogy 
• programs are chosen that are engaging and age appropriate to children: Only ‘G’ rated television programs and movies will be viewed at the School. For special events, any movies or television programs shown, parental permission will be obtained  
• the use of TV will be kept to a minimum. If used:  
  • programs depicting violence and/or inappropriate content (including graphic news reports) will not be shown 
  • TV programs or videos will only be shown that have positive messages about relationships, family and life 
  • all content will be socially and culturally considerate and appropriate
• timeframes for ‘screen time’ according to Australia's Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines are: 
  • children birth to one year should not spend any time in front of a screen 
  • children 2 to 5 years of age should be limited to less than one hour per day 
  • children 5 to 12 years of age should limit screen time for entertainment to no more than 2 hours a day. 
• children will be taught responsible concepts of digital use and citizenship as children are ‘growing up digital’ 
• only quality developmentally appropriate interactive media will be used

Internet Guidelines, Responsibilities and Obligations

Internet facilities are provided to many team members to assist them in carrying out their duties. It is envisaged that it will be used to lookup details about activities for children and research on ideas for projects with the children. It should not be used for personal reasons.
If you are using these facilities you must understand the following guidelines, responsibilities and obligations:

DO 

• Do keep your use of the Internet to a minimum
• Do check that any information you access on the Internet is accurate, complete and current
• Do check the validity of the information found.
• Do respect the legal protections to data and software provided by copyright and licenses
• Do inform the Director immediately of any unusual occurrence

DO NOT 

• Do not download text or images which contain material of a pornographic, racist or extreme political nature, or which incites violence, hatred or any illegal activity.
• Do not download content from Internet sites unless it is work related
• Do not download software from the Internet and install it upon the School’s computer equipment
• Do not use the School’s computers to make unauthorised entry into any other computer or network
• Do not disrupt or interfere with other computers or network users, services, or equipment. Intentional disruption of the operation of computer systems and networks is a crime under the Computer Misuse Act 1990
• Do not represent yourself as another person
• Do not use Internet access to transmit confidential, political, obscene, threatening, or harassing materials

Please note the following: 

• All activity on the Internet is monitored and logged.
• All material viewed is scanned for viruses.
• All the content viewed is scanned for offensive material.
• If you are in any doubt about an issue affecting internet access, you should consult the Director.
• Any breach of these Internet guidelines, responsibilities, and obligations may lead to disciplinary action.

In relation to families, our school will: 

• create shared understandings between families and educators about digital technology use, by adults, in front of children 
• provide information regarding online safety to families eSafetyparents  
• provide families with information about the digital technology used within the School 
• request written consent from parents/families to collect and share personal information, images or videos of their children online (Website, Facebook, Instagram) 
• discuss and advice to families about the selection of digital media content, apps and games that are appropriate for use by young children 
• discuss information about the apps and programs used within the School with families 
• support families to understand that negative effects of exposure to disturbing or arousing content and screens before sleep time  

SOURCE

Australian Government. Department of Education, Skills and Employment. (2009). Belonging, being and becoming: The early years learning framework for Australia. 
Australian Government. e-Safety Commissioner Online safety for under 5s   
Australian Government Department of Health. (2014). Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines:  
www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/...  
Commission for Children and Young People. (2021). Victoria’s new Child Safe Standards 
Early Childhood Australia Statement on young children and digital technologies. (2018). 
Education and Care Services National Regulations. (2011).  
Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). 
Guide to the National Quality Framework. (2017). (Amended 2020). 
Guide to the National Quality Standard. (2017). 
NSW Department of Education. (2021). Implementing the Child Safe Standards. A guide for early childhood 
education and care and outside school hours care services. 
NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian. (2020). Guide to the Child Safe Standards   
Revised National Quality Standard. (2018). 
The Australian Council on Children and the Media for the Australian Research Alliance for Children 
and Youth. (2011). Television and young children: Quality, choice and the role of parents: What the experts and parents say.