How to stay digitally connected
With so much of our work and social lives happening virtually, it can be daunting navigating platforms, internet connections, and the individual preferences of each generation in the house.
Tasmania’s Digital Ready for Daily Life has just been launched to help us out with useful Fact Sheets and how to videos.
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If you have a phone, are connecting with only a few people at any one time and have a Facebook account, using the Facebook Messenger features to connect via video might be a simple first step for you to explore.
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WhatsApp is another platform easily used on your phone for text, voice and video messaging. Groups of up to four people can connect at once, if each person has WhatsApp downloaded to their device.
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For larger get togethers, think about how many people you need to connect with. Skype allows you to connect to up to 50 people, and Zoom (on the free package) up to 100 people for 40 minutes.
Information for parents
For parents of children and younger people, ask them what platforms they are using, and if you are concerned, seek out information.
Facebook Messenger for Kids allows one-on-one connecting with family and friends. The app sits on the child’s own device, but the set up and control of contacts happens through the parent’s Facebook account.
Snapchat allows users to connect with up to 15 friends. It’s quick and easy to upload video, photos and messages, and any images or videos shared disappear after 10 seconds of viewing. Create a group with friends or neighbours to ask for supplies in an emergency, share baked goods, or to check on wellbeing.
TikTok allows users to easily create short videos and share with friends and followers. Hashtags applied to content are also used to update users on the latest trending videos or to suggest new topics.
Houseparty allows a host to contact up to 8 people in a ‘room’ to video chat, text and play games like Pictionary and trivia. Users can be part of infinite rooms and float between rooms to chat with different groups. Parents note, while TikTok has some controls, there are no parental controls for Houseparty.
Whichever platform you or your children use, learn about the security and privacy settings. You may also want to check with hosts whether get togethers are recorded. Relying on default settings may provide access to private information, such as location.
Head to the eSafety Commissioner website for the best and most up to date information and support.