Kia ora e te whānau,
As ngā tamariki (our children) navigate an increasingly digital world, the boundaries between the classroom and the online space continue to blur. While the internet offers incredible opportunities for learning and connection, recent research and national data highlight evolving risks that require our attention—particularly regarding "open chat" functions.
The "hidden" risks of open chat functions
Many parents feel a sense of security when their tamaiti (child) is on a site marketed as "child-friendly" or "educational." However, recent international and New Zealand-based findings (2025–2026) suggest that open chat functions—where users can type freely to one another—are becoming the primary gateway for online harm. At Amesbury School we had a recent situation where we realised that a maths games site being used at school had an open chat function accessible to people outside of school. As soon as we became aware of this, we blocked that site for all school users.
The grooming gap: Even on platforms designed for tamariki, people can bypass filters and pose as tamariki.
The rise of "frictionless" AI: New research from early 2026 highlights the emergence of AI chatbots. Unlike human peers, chatbots provide "frictionless" responses that can lead younger tamariki to form intense, intimate emotional bonds with software, making them more vulnerable to suggestion or misinformation.
Unwanted contact: Netsafe’s 2025 Annual Population Survey revealed that 38% of New Zealanders experienced unwanted digital communication last year. For primary-aged tamariki, this often manifests as "random" friend requests or messages within gaming sites (like Roblox or Minecraft).
Cyberbullying in the primary years
Online bullying at the Year 1–6 level often looks different than it does for teenagers. It is frequently an extension of playground issues that follow a tamaiti home.
Exclusion: Being intentionally left out of a private group chat or a gaming "party."
Impulsive comments: At this developmental stage, tamariki are still learning empathy. Without seeing a peer's face, they may say things online - often in open chats - that they would never say in person.
The "always on" effect: Netsafe reports that 14% of New Zealanders find online harm disrupts their daily life, including sleep and schoolwork. For a 7-year-old, an unkind message received at 7:00 PM can ruin their focus for the entire next school day.
Practical steps for whānau
The Ministry of Education and Netsafe emphasize that "active mediation" - talking to your tamaiti about what they do - is more effective than just using software filters.
Check the "chat" settings: Most games and educational sites allow you to disable chat entirely or restrict it to "Friends Only." For Year 1–6 students, disabling open chat is recommended.
Keep devices in common areas: The "bedroom ban" remains the most effective safety tool. Ensure screens are used in the lounge or kitchen where you can see the "vibe" of the interaction.
The "grandparent rule": Teach your tamariki to never type anything they wouldn’t want their kaiako (teacher) or grandparents to read.
Model the "pause": Show your tamaiti how you think before you post. If they see you reacting calmly to a digital notification, they are more likely to do the same. Also modelling non-screen time helps tamariki to understand what a good balance of screen and offline time looks like.
If something goes wrong
If your tamaiti encounters something upsetting, the most important thing is that they feel safe coming to you without the fear of their device being "confiscated" as punishment.
Support Resources:
Netsafe: Text 4282 or call 0508 NETSAFE for free, confidential advice on digital harm.
Netsafe parent site is a fantastic resource with lots of practical information and advice
Switch on Safety is a great site for instructions on setting up N4L (Network for Learning) filters for home learning devices. (Network for Learning is the NZ company that provides safe internet connection and cyber security services to schools across NZ. It is largely funded by the Ministry of Education.)
Let School know: If you see something on your child’s account at home that bothers you, let school know (either Urs, Gar Kee (our IT lead teacher) or your child’s whānau teacher)
By staying curious and involved in their digital lives, we can ensure our tamariki reap the benefits of technology while staying safe from its shadows.
Ngā mihi nui,
The Amesbury team
