An Australian school is taking a unique approach to educating students about social media and internet safety.

Pymble Ladies’ College has launched a 'Wise Phones' initiative that gives students in Years 4 to 8 age-appropriate smartphones that block social media and the internet until they reach Year 10 or 16 years of age.

Principal Dr Kate Hadwen says it's important to teach kids about the technology slowly as they age - rather than banning phones outright.

"It's a little bit like learning to swim - when we have our children, we don't throw them into the ocean, we teach them slowly and take them with us on the journey. And that's what I believe about the use of technology as well."

LISTEN ABOVE

An Australian school is taking a unique approach to educating students about social media and internet safety.
Pymble Ladies’ College has launched a 'Wise Phones' initiative that gives students in Years 4 to 8 age-appropriate smartphones that block social media and the internet until they reach Year 10 or 16 years of age.
Principal Dr Kate Hadwen says it's important to teach kids about the technology slowly as they age - rather than banning phones outright.
"It's a little bit like learning to swim - when we have our children, we don't throw them into the ocean, we teach them slowly and take them with us on the journey. And that's what I believe about the use of technology as well."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Dr Kate Hadwen: Pymble Ladies’ College Principal on the school's plan to give students 'Wise Phones'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/149e8d06-9683-4234-b286-b22f003d096a/transcript

Advertisement