Dear DGS Families,
Thank you so much to all of our families who have come out to soccer games, cross country meets and basketball games over the past few weeks. Interschool athletics creates another wonderful opportunity to connect with parents and siblings- we love seeing you all there!
Understanding Social Media Minimum Age Policies and Why Parents Should Follow Them
Recently, we have dealt with a number of situations involving Social Media conflict occurring outside of school time in our Grades 5 and 6 communities. With social media playing such a big role in today’s society, it’s important for parents to be aware of the minimum age requirements set by popular platforms. These age limits are put in place to protect younger users from potential risks like inappropriate content, relational aggression, and privacy concerns. Here’s a summary of the minimum age policies for major social media platforms:
- Facebook and Instagram: 13 years old
- Snapchat: 13 years old
- TikTok: 13 years old
- (X): 13 years old
- YouTube: 13 years old (with YouTube Kids available for younger children)
- WhatsApp: 13 years old
- Telegram: 16 years old
Why Parents Should Adhere to These Age Policies:
- Developmental Appropriateness: Younger children are still developing their social and emotional understanding. The age restrictions are designed to ensure that users have reached a level of maturity needed to handle social interactions, content, and potential risks online.
- Privacy Protection: While Children in the USA under 13 are protected by laws such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), a comparable Canadian Law does not yet exist. By following these age limits, parents help ensure their children’s personal information remains protected.
- Exposure to Inappropriate Content: Social media platforms often have content that isn’t suitable for younger users, even with filters in place. By waiting until the appropriate age, parents can help protect their children from exposure to harmful material.
- Mental Health Concerns: Social media can contribute to issues like anxiety, depression, and body image concerns, especially for younger users who are more vulnerable to online pressures. Adhering to age limits allows children more time to develop coping skills before engaging in social media.
While we appreciate that younger adolescents may be eager to join social media early, it’s important to respect these age limits for their safety, privacy, and mental well-being. As a parent, you can support their development by ensuring they only access platforms when they are mature enough to handle the online world responsibly. And as always, we strongly encourage you to be involved in your child’s online presence regardless of age.
School Store Now Open
We are pleased to present our Fall 2024 SWAG store located at https://silverbackgroup.ca/dr-gs-school.html
When you order, please note that the “to-be-paid” invoice will be delivered to your email address. The company offers PayPal, credit card and EFT payment options.
Our store will remain open until October 31, 2024. All orders will be shipped to the school and distributed to students when they arrive.
Upcoming Dates
Thursday October 10
- Welcome Back Week - Class Color Day
- Bake Sale Fundraiser ($1, $2, and $3 Items)
Monday October 14
- Thanksgiving (SCHOOL CLOSED)
Tuesday October 22
- Picture Retake Day
- School Council and Parent Fundraising Society Meeting (7pm, main office)
Friday October 25
- Non-Instructional Day (No School for Students)
As always, you are welcome to reach out to me any time at csmalette@cbe.ab.ca. We appreciate that success at school is a team endeavour!
Chantal Malette
Principal, Dr. George Stanley School