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Page URL: https://practice.orangatamariki.govt.nz/previous-practice-centre/policy/working-with-children-and-young-people-in-residences/key-information/electronic-communication-in-residences
Printed: 29/11/2025
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Use of electronic communication in residences
Updated: 11 November 2025
This key information outlines how to help keep children and young people safe when using media, music, games and electronic devices.
11 November 2025: This page has been updated to reflect current practice.
Staff are responsible for managing children and young people’s appropriate use of media, music, games and publications within the residence. We have an obligation to keep children and young people safe and to protect them from potentially harmful content.
Note: Children and young people cannot have access to mobile phones or the internet while in the residence unless it is specified in their plan.
What the policy says
The Working with children and young people in residences policy says that:
In some situations, children and young people can have an electronic device and play music while in the residence. This is written into their plan.
Operational principles
These principles are designed to keep children and young people safe while they are using electronic communications like TV and music as well as publications like books and magazines.
Restricted communications include (but are not limited to) TV, DVDs, videos, electronic games, CDs and audio software, publications, photographs, music recordings and streaming services.
Music with parental or 'E' advisory labels indicate that content contains explicit lyrics and is not permitted.
Electronic items that have been illegally copied or burnt are not permitted.
The Residence Manager must give approval to bring in or use DVDs, music, electronic games, and publications in the residence.
Approved music is downloaded from the internet onto an MP3 player and allocated to each child or young person on admission.
The term objectionable in the legislation refers to a publication if it describes, depicts, expresses, or otherwise deals with matters such as sex, horror, crime, cruelty, or violence in such a manner that the availability of the publication is likely to be injurious to the public good.
The classification labels (movies, television series, games) and their acceptance in residences are:
Restrictions
Classification
Description
Open
G
Anyone can be shown this.
PG
Anyone can be shown this. The PG label means guidance from a parent or guardian is recommended for younger viewers.
Restricted
M
Residence Manager approval is required.
M labels are more suitable for mature audiences. When considering whether to let a child see an M-rated film, it's a good idea to find out what the film is about - and to always remember to check the descriptive note.
R13, R15
Only viewed by young people over 13 or 15.
Requires Residence Manager approval.
Prohibited
R16, R18
Banned in Residences
AO
Banned in Residences
Operational instructions
DVDs
DVDs will be accessed in the first place from the approved DVD library.
DVDs can be made available for downtime or used as part of a Behaviour Management System (BMS).
Television
Television viewing is a part of down time or passive recreation.
Music / gaming consoles
Children and young people can listen to music through their allocated MP3 player during periods specified by staff
Gaming console games (for example, PlayStation and Xbox) can be made available for downtime or used as part of a BMS.
Publications / Photographs / Pictures / Clothing
Publications, photographs, pictures, clothing that are brought into the residences by a child or young person will be checked by staff for objectionable content.
Staff in consultation with the TLO, can remove material from a child or young person’s bedroom if it is objectionable.
