As the world continues to speed up, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pace of modern life—especially when it comes to the ever-changing landscape of technology. When I reflect on my own childhood, I’m reminded of slower days, free from the constant digital noise that now surrounds us. Today, it’s said that we’re exposed to the equivalent of 172 newspapers' worth of information every single day—a staggering thought, especially for young minds still forming.
As a Christian community, we are called to “train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6), and this includes helping our children navigate the digital world with wisdom, courage and integrity. While technology is a wonderful gift when used wisely, it also brings challenges we cannot ignore.
At Heathdale, we are grateful for Mr Jeremy Wheelan, who serves our Primary School as the Digital Learning and Innovation Facilitator. He works alongside teachers to guide our students in becoming responsible digital citizens, informed by the wisdom of the eSafety Commission and grounded in our Biblical values.
Students are being equipped with the tools they need to flourish online and to respond wisely when faced with challenges such as unkind behaviour, coercive control, scams or exposure to inappropriate content. Sadly, statistics from the eSafety Commission remind us that the digital world can be a dangerous space: one in five children aged 8–17 have experienced online abuse, and more than half have encountered graphic or disturbing content.
That’s why, across all Primary classrooms, you’ll now find posters reminding students of six biblical virtues we emphasise in digital citizenship: Kindness, Courage, Wisdom, Discernment, Responsibility, and Integrity. These are not just classroom rules, they are virtues drawn from God’s Word that shape character and behaviour both online and offline.
We deeply value our partnership with you, our parents. Child safety is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to doing all we can to protect and prepare our students. But we can’t do it alone. We encourage you to engage your children in open, regular conversations about their online activity and to prayerfully monitor their digital habits.
You may also wish to explore parental control tools that can help you:
- Block inappropriate content or websites
- Filter harmful or age-inappropriate material
- Limit access to certain apps or features (like cameras or purchases)
- Track screen time and site visits
- Set time limits to create healthy rhythms
These tools are not a replacement for relationship, but they can support your efforts to build digital discernment at home. We are happy to recommend tools should you need any assistance.
As Psalm 119:105 reminds us, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Let us continue walking together in that light, seeking God’s wisdom as we guide our children in every area of life—including the online world.
If you have any questions, or you see anything occurring that you are concerned about, please reach out to Mr Wheelan or your child’s Homeroom Teacher. We are here to support you.