As Year 7 Level Coordinator, one of the lovely things in welcoming our Year 7 students into Middle College is the excitement that comes with getting to use their “very own” MacBook. They’ve been very busy learning how to use their devices responsibly as they begin this next stage of schooling.
MacBook use at the Glasshouse Christian College is tightly structured. Students can only access work-related programs, and usage is monitored through our systems. At home, however, responsibility shifts. While students will need their MacBooks for homework and assessment tasks, families play a crucial role in helping students develop healthy, safe technology habits.
It’s worth remembering that parents are the gatekeepers when it comes to technology use at home, including their MacBook. If a student is misusing their MacBook, it is entirely appropriate for parents to remove access, even if the claim is that it’s “needed for homework.”
Below are five practical safeguards that can make a significant difference for students when introduced early.
No Devices Behind Closed Doors
Keeping devices out of private spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms is vital and removes many of the most serious risks. Even in shared spaces, it’s worth watching for subtle warning signs: screens being angled away, brightness dimmed, or quick app switching when adults approach. A shared charging location and a clear “devices off / charging time” at night can be very effective in ensuring devices aren’t used when parents aren’t watching. Watch this short clip if you need convincing how vital this particular safeguard is:
Filtering and Supervision at Home
Most home Wi-Fi routers allow families to block inappropriate searches and websites, often with simple setup steps outlined in the Wi-Fi manual. Some families also choose to use parental web-filtering or screen-management tools to help supervise online activity across laptops, phones, and tablets. Web-filtering tools such as Bark, or screen management tools such as Mobicip are good examples of these types of programs.
Reasonable Limits on Screen Time
Australian guidelines recommend no more than two hours per day of recreational screen time for adolescents, and only after essential screen use, such as homework. Many families find success with Wi-Fi lockout times or a clear nightly “no more tech” boundary. Extended time can be a positive thing when technology is being used creatively: for writing, digital art, or meaningful communication.
Shared Access to Passwords
Having access to device and app passwords (including messaging platforms) is an important safety measure. While your child’s privacy matters, their safety matters more. Be alert to red flags such as cleared browsing history, multiple browsers, hidden apps, or resistance to sharing passwords.
Open Conversations
Perhaps the most powerful safeguard of all is conversation. Talking regularly with your child about how they use technology, what they enjoy, what challenges them, and what worries them builds trust. Inviting them to show you what they’re doing online, playing a game together, or sharing something you’ve discovered helps normalise these conversations and makes it far more likely they’ll seek support when things don’t go to plan.
Navigating technology with young adolescents is never straightforward. However, putting clear structures in place early helps students feel supported and connected, rather than restricted, and helps them learn to set their own boundaries.
Larry McKeown, Year 7 Coordinator