LOCAL schools are issuing a warning to parents and carers about students’ social media use.
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Social media site Sarahah promotes itself as a site that encourages “honest feedback from your coworkers and friends” – all done anonymously.
The site states it can “help you in discovering your strengths and areas for improvement by receiving honest feedback from your employees and your friends in a private manner”.
But a Gunnedah school has warned parents and carers about the “social media site that is causing much distress to some children and young people”.
“I need to bring to your attention a social media site that is causing much distress to some children and young people,” St Mary's College, Gunnedah, principal Max Quirk wrote in a post on the school’s Facebook page.
“Sarahah is an anonymous social media site that can be accessed through snapchat and instagram.
“The site promotes itself as a site that encourages honest feedback.
“However, the anonymity factor can encourage people to slander, bully or send threatening messages without any repercussions.
“It is for this reason we are encouraging students to refrain from using this site and for parents to carefully monitor their child's social media use.
“This site is not recommended for children under the age of 17.”
The post has since been met with messages of support and shared dozens of times.
The NSW Department of Education also held a similar view.
“Bullying in any form is not tolerated at NSW public schools,” a NSW Department of Education spokesperson said in a statement provided to the Namoi Valley Independent.
“The Department of Education works closely with parents, principals, schools, students and other agencies to prevent and respond to all forms of bullying.
“All public schools in NSW have a range of strategies in place to deal with bullying and are required to have an Anti-Bullying Plan developed in consultation with the school community.
“The Department and public schools encourage parents to take an active interest in their student’s learning and use of technology at all times.
“The office of the eSafety commissioner provides a wealth of information about the digital environment, including a dedicated section for parents, iParent -https://www.esafety.gov.au/iparent - that includes strategies for keeping kids safe online.”
Sarahah has been contacted for comment.