Dear Students, Parents, Colleagues and Friends of the FIS,
As we reach the final day before spring break, it is again a natural moment to pause and reflect – not only on the many achievements, but also on the challenges that continue to shape our work as a school community.
Over the last few months, one topic has required particular attention from both our teachers and leadership: the use of social media among students. What we are seeing reflects a broader societal development, but it is also something that touches daily school life more directly than ever before – even at the Primary level.
We are increasingly aware of conversations taking place in messaging groups at very young ages. Unfortunately, some of these interactions include inappropriate language, exclusion of peers, “jokes” that are no longer humorous, and more serious concerns such as bullying and even the misuse of emerging technologies like deepfakes. These dynamics often happen quietly and are not always visible to peers, families, or educators.
At the same time, platforms such as YouTube and TikTok have become central spaces where young people collect experiences and express themselves – often without filters, and across the full spectrum of emotions, both positive and negative. After careful consideration, we have decided to close the FIS TikTok account again. While it provided insight into student perspectives, the nature of some public interactions did not reflect the environment we strive to foster as a school.
In response, we are continuing to strengthen our approach. In the Secondary School, advisory programs are addressing digital citizenship explicitly, while in the Primary School, social-emotional learning lays the foundation for responsible and empathetic behavior. Our counselors remain available to support students both reactively and proactively. In addition, our Device Policy and Bullying Prevention and Response Policy provide clear guidance and structure.
However, policies alone are not enough. We all share responsibility – school and home alike – to remain alert, vigilant, and supportive. Parents are strongly encouraged to monitor their children’s digital interactions more closely. At the school we will further review and develop our curriculum in this area. For example, communication on social media will increasingly become part of learning in areas such as for example Language Arts, helping students build the skills they need to navigate these environments thoughtfully.
We are also in the final stages of appointing a new Head of Educational Technology, continuing the important work of Allen Lindblad, whose contribution to our school we remember with deep appreciation. After Spring Break, we will begin nominations for the FIS Digital Citizenship Award, which will be presented in his name, an initiative which was created to also emphasize how much the FIS values responsible and respectful interactions in this context. Additionally, our new colleague will support us in navigating an increasingly complex landscape, particularly as developments in artificial intelligence bring both opportunities and challenges that are evolving at great speed.
These conversations are not limited to schools. In Germany, there is currently active discussion around introducing age restrictions for social media use – potentially limiting access to platforms until the age of 14 or even 16, following examples set by other countries. My personal hope is that such measures will provide additional time for children to develop the maturity and skills needed to engage responsibly. At the same time, I am confident that our strong partnership between school and families will continue to grow, enabling us to meet these challenges together.
Looking ahead, there is much to anticipate after the break. Our Primary students will embark on their residential trips, Grade 5 will present their PYP Exhibition, and Grade 12 will celebrate their Spirit Week – marking their final days of school. Our Model United Nations group will travel to their conference in Zurich, and we look forward to welcoming students from Mongolia as part of the Bookbridge exchange program.
For now, I wish all of you a restful and joyful spring break. Travel safely, and enjoy time recharging with family and friends.
Warm regards,
Petra Niemczyk
Head of School
