Principal's Report
Too often as a College community, we are advised by parents that online abuse has occurred overnight or over a weekend. We are powerless to manage this as a school, which is very frustrating.
For a Catholic community, the call to protect the dignity and well-being of every person - especially the young - is foundational. Cyber safety becomes a moral imperative, not just a technical concern. It aligns with the Church’s teachings on stewardship, justice and safeguarding the vulnerable.
My wife recently had a birthday, and she received the book Careless People from her mother. Careless People is a memoir by Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former diplomat and attorney who served as Facebook’s global public policy manager from 2011 to 2017. The book offers an insider’s view of Facebook’s rise to global dominance, exposing the company’s disregard for ethical responsibility, political impact and employee welfare.
She recounts her initial idealism, believing Facebook could be a force for positive change in global politics. However, she quickly becomes disillusioned by the leadership’s indifference - particularly Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg - toward the platform’s societal consequences. She writes about troubling episodes, including mishandled international relations, internal harassment and the prioritization of profit over safety and integrity.
In today’s hyperconnected world, children are exposed to online environments that can be both enriching and dangerous. Without proper safeguards, they risk encountering cyberbullying, exploitation, misinformation and addictive behaviours. The book’s revelations about corporate indifference underscore the need for proactive, community-driven cyber safety measures.
Ultimately, Careless People reminds us that technology is not neutral - it reflects the values of those who shape it. It also reminds us that our access to tech enables significant profit for the companies who access our data. It further reminds us that the executives of companies like Facebook do not allow their children any access to social media.
We are well beyond having an opportunity to put the social media genie back into the bottle. We can, however, propose a conversation about protecting our young people. Catholic communities have a unique opportunity to model care, accountability and wisdom in the digital age, ensuring that children grow up in spaces that nurture both their safety and their souls.
Mr Chris Gabbett
College Principal
