Tuesday 10 March was Safer Internet Day – a reminder that it’s never too early to help children start developing digital literacy and safe online habits. In regonition of this, the Federal Minister for Education, the Hon. Jason Clare MP joined Healthy Harold to launch a new module for the early years, Harold’s Safe Screen Time.
“According to the eSafety Commission, many toddlers can swipe on devices before they can even speak, and 81 per cent of Australian parents report that their 2 to 5-year-old uses the internet,” said Karen Robertson, CEO at Life Ed Australia.
“This is confronting, but not a surprise when we look at the world that our children are growing up in. It’s more complex, more connected. We need to meet them where they are and support them with our most powerful tool; education.”
This is the purpose of Harold’s Safe Screen Time. It aims to initiate important conversations about online safety with our littlest learners.
It addresses critical topics with children aged three to five, such as:
early warning signs when something feels unsafe, help-seeking behaviours, screen time management, autonomy and consent.
Like all of Life Ed’s early years modules, Harold’s Safe Screen Time is presented in an age-appropriate way. It uses the power of storytelling, through a specially crafted Healthy Harold Big Book, to explore basic concepts and encourage discussions that spark curiosity, joy and a love for learning.
“We all have a responsibility to work together to keep children safe and to prepare them for the world – online and in real-time,” continued Ms Robertson.
Available nationally, bookings are open now at lifeed.org.au/haroldssafescreentime