As an invested parent in the education of our children, I am deeply concerned by the current Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) program implemented in our primary schools. The program requires children as young as eight to own and manage a personal technology device. I believe this expectation to be inappropriate, and now we call for a more age-sensitive approach to technology in the classroom.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies warns against excessive screen time for children, noting that too much screen time can delay the development of young children. Moreover, with BYOD programs, the socioeconomic digital divide among families is widened. Children in less privileged circumstances might be left behind, compromising the equality of education opportunities.

Furthermore, cybersecurity issues pose significant risks to children at such a tender age. They could easily fall prey to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and potentially harmful interactions without proper supervision and education about safe internet use.

While we acknowledge the role of technology in modern education and preparing our children for their future, it is crucial to balance this with the specific needs, maturity, and wellbeing of children at different ages. We urge the school to reassess its existing BYOD program, and work towards creating a more inclusive, safer, and developmentally appropriate environment for technology use.

We respectfully ask the school to address the following risks associated with the BYOD program and the use of personal devices in the classroom:

• Unmanaged Devices: The potential for personal devices to contain non-educational games and applications, which may disrupt learning in the classroom.
• Safety Risks: Requiring students to bring devices to and from school daily increases the risk of theft, making children potential targets.
• Parental Control Challenges: Introducing personal devices into households earlier than families might otherwise choose can make it more difficult for parents to manage and limit their children’s screen time.
• Cybersecurity Risks: Younger children with personal device ownership face an increased exposure to cyber threats.
• Device Disparity: A noticeable gap exists between the quality and capabilities of school-provided devices and those recommended for purchase under the BYOD scheme, potentially impacting equity and learning experiences.
• Financial Barriers: The affordability of the BYOD program poses challenges for low-income families, creating disadvantages for students unable to participate.
• Impact on Traditional Skills: Over-reliance on technology in the classroom risks deprioritizing critical skills such as handwriting and spelling, which are essential for educational development.

Join us in calling for a more balanced, safe, and inclusive approach to technology in our children's primary school education. Please sign and share this petition.