Dear Families,

We want to make sure all our students feel safe and happy. Recently, we have noticed some unkind behavior happening on social media and in online games like TikTok and Roblox. Even though this happens outside of school, it can still hurt our students’ feelings.

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Why Age Matters

Most apps like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok are for people 13 years or older. Our students are younger than 13, so these apps are not made for them. These sites can sometimes show things that are not safe for children.

Staying Safe in Games

Games like Roblox are fun, but the “chat” feature can be risky. Children might talk to strangers or hear unkind words. These chats are not always watched by the people who make the games.

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How You Can Help

We suggest these simple steps to keep your child safe:

• Check Their Apps: Talk to your child about what games they play and who they are talking to.
• Use Privacy Settings: Make sure your child’s accounts are “Private.” In games like Roblox, you can turn off the chat feature entirely.
• Report Problems: Teach your child to tell an adult if they see something mean or inappropriate. Use the “Report” button on the app to let the company know what happened.
• Set Time Limits: Make sure children have plenty of time for offline play and rest.

Working Together

If something happens online that makes your child feel unsafe at school, please tell us. However, for most problems on apps or games outside of school, it is best to report it directly to the app company.

DOE policy regarding social media guidelines for students 12 and under: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/school-environment/digital-citizenship/social-media-guidelines-for-students-12-and-younger

Thank you for helping us keep our school community kind and safe!

Sincerely,

PS 101 Staff