Last week we held a holiday program for 70 young Broadway Academy performers.

It was delightful.

I was reminded that even in this world that is rapidly changing around them, kids are still kids.

In a creative, digital-free environment, given basic structure and equipment, children are still highly capable of coming up with their own fun.

 

In amongst sessions in singing, dance and acting, I watched these young people play.

  • They jumped rope together
  • They giggled and worked together to animate a giant parachute.
  • They spent a whole lunchtime teaching themselves to walk 3-legged-style, arms around each other for support.
  • They entered their own ‘flow state’ creating beautiful art and craft projects.
  • They made friends – with children their own age and those older and younger than themselves.

Many times during the 3 days I had the thought – ‘I should take a picture of that.’ And then I stopped.

You see, for the past year I have thought deeply about the pace of the world our young people are growing up in. As a mother of 3 teenagers myself, I feel like we’ve been parenting in a period of history that requires us to keep up with so much change, while also ensuring our children safe, connected and thriving. I don’t know about you, but I am not convinced that a small group of tech giants on the other side of the world who represent a tiny slither of humanity should be calling the shots and controlling so much of our lives.

I wholeheartedly support Australia’s under 16 social media ban and have been increasingly uncomfortable about sharing photos and videos of our Broadway Academy performers online. In fact, I feel it is hypocritical of me to post this content when the children themselves are banned from accessing it.

And so, it is a very easy decision.

From now on, Broadway Academy will not post photos or videos of children and teens under the age of 18 on any of our social media platforms. And for those over the age of 18, express consent will be gained before posting.

You’ll still see content – it will just need to be more creative. We can do that, we are creative people! And now the only place you will see photos or videos of the inner workings of Broadway Academy and our brilliant performers is in our monthly newsletter to families and in the professional videos and photos taken of the shows – for personal use only. If we do any formal marketing for our website or for any other purpose, we will be asking for specific permission from each parent/guardian for each individual project.

I would also like to take this space to remind our community that no-one should be sharing any pictures or videos of a child who is not your own on social media.

 

Sometimes we feel like this tech/AI/social media situation is a runaway train. However the truth is that some of us stand in a position where we CAN make decisions that contribute to change. As someone in one of those positions, I am committed to doing everything I can to protect young people so that they can grow, play, discover and thrive in a world that has their back.

I hope this new policy gives you some breathing space and freedom of choice as a parent/guardian. Know that your child is part of a supportive, creative and thoughtful organisation that has their best interests always at the forefront.

 

Sincerely,

Rebecca Perry (Owner/Director of Broadway Academy)

and Team Broadway.