This procedure outlines the guidelines for ensuring the safe use of digital technologies and online environments at The Akidamy School of Early Learning. This is crucial to protecting children and guaranteeing a safe, supportive environment in accordance with Australian regulations and standards.
The primary aim is to promote digital literacy while ensuring the safety and security of all children, educators, and staff within the early learning environment. Adhering to this procedure will help mitigate risks associated with digital and online activities.
This procedure applies to all educators, staff, students, volunteers, and any other personnel involved in the use of digital technologies and online platforms within The Akidamy School of Early Learning.
Each education and care service must have established policies and procedures to ensure safe and responsible use of digital technology by children, educators, staff, visitors, and families. As per Education and Care Services National Regulations 168(2) (ha), the approved provider is obligated to ensure these policies and procedures are in place, addressing:
This guidance, alongside the Safe Use of Digital Technologies and Online Environments Policy, ensures the responsible use of digital devices across the service by everyone involved.
Regular checks must be performed to ensure that all educators, staff, and volunteers are authorized to access digital technologies. This includes:
| 1 | review the Service’s Safe Use of Digital Technologies and Online Environments Policy annually in collaboration with educators, staff, families and children | |
| 2 | inform parents/guardians of the Service’s Safe Use of Digital Technologies and Online Environments Policy and procedures upon enrolment | |
| 3 | inform educators and staff of the Safe Use of Digital Technologies and Online Environments Policy and procedures during orientation and induction | |
| 4 | keep records of inductions and regular training completed by educators and staff | |
| 5 | identify technology training needs of educators for professional development | |
| 6 | provide regular training for all educators and staff on reporting obligations, including mandatory reporting and child safe practices | |
| 7 | provide professional development, information and resources to educators relating to the safe use of digital technologies and online environments from the e-Safety Commissioner- Early Years Program | |
| 8 | implement the National Model Code and Guidelines and ensure management, staff and educators adhere to these recommendations for taking images or video of children | |
| 9 | require new staff and educators to complete a Cyber Safety Agreement and Data Security Checklist as part of their induction program to ensure they understand their responsibilities in handling and protecting digital information | |
| 10 | inform educators, staff, volunteers and students that personal devices or storage devices must not be used or in their possession when working directly with children, including tablets, mobile phones or smart watches that can capture images or videos | |
| 11 | 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 | |
| 12 | inform families of examples of digital technology and electronic devices used at the Service, which may include:
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| 13 | develop and maintain an Electronic Device Register for all electronic devices purchased and used at the Service | |
| 14 | provide parents and families with information about the apps or software programs accessed by children at the Service | |
| 15 | inform families that personal electronic devices are not to be brought to the Service by children | |
| 16 | ensure that personal device’s brought to the Service by a child are turned off, securely stored in a locked cupboard, and collected by the child’s parent/guardian at the end of the day | |
| 17 | ensure educators are informed of, and adhere to, recommended timeframes for ‘screen time’ according to Australia's Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines | |
| 18 | ensure that children aged 0-1 year do not spend any time in front of a screen | |
| 19 | ensure that screen time for children aged 2 to 5 years does not exceed 1 hour per day | |
| 20 | ensure children are fully supervised and never left unattended whilst using an electronic device, including a computer or mobile device is connected to the internet, including during transport or excursions | |
| 21 | ensure educators only use educational software programs, websites and apps that have been thoroughly examined for appropriate content prior to allowing their use by children | |
| 22 | ensure educators use a search engine such as ‘Kiddle’ rather than Google to search for images or information with children | |
| 23 | encourage educators and children to report anyone who is acting suspiciously or requesting information that does not seem legitimate or makes staff/educators/children feel uncomfortable | |
| 24 | document and investigate all concerns relating to the safe use of digital technologies or online environments (See: Privacy Law Compliance Procedure) | |
| 25 | conduct a review of practices following any incident involving digital technologies or online environments, including an assessment of areas for improvement | |
| 26 | report any breach of child protection legislation to relevant authorities, police, Mandatory reporting WA. | |
| 27 | notify the regulatory authority within 24 hours, via NQAITS, if a child is involved in a serious incident, including any unsafe online interactions, exposure to inappropriate content, or suspected online abuse |