From playground to platform: building socially and emotionally safer schools and online communities
Children’s early friendships, group dynamics and emerging social hierarchies shape the way they navigate digital spaces long before they reach secondary school. In this opening keynote, eSafety will explore how the behaviours seen online often mirror the social and emotional skills, and gaps, that develop in the primary years. The presentation will examine how deliberate, schoolwide approaches to social and emotional skill building and online safety can strengthen children’s capacity to relate with empathy and confidence both on and offline. It will also consider the important role of parent and carer engagement in creating consistent expectations at school, at home and online. Principals will gain insight into how eSafety partners with schools in this work and will leave with practical leadership actions.
Key takeaway
- Insights into primary school students’ online behaviours and what is influencing their experiences.
- How whole-school social and emotional learning strengthens online safety and student wellbeing.
- Practical leadership approaches for aligned expectations across school, home, and online spaces.
- eSafety’s proactive and responsive role supporting education sectors and schools.