August 9, 2018
The suicide of 14-year-old Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett in January after she came under a sustained cyber-bullying attack sounded a warning to all parents about the dangers of social media.
Other developments this year – such as Facebook allowing Cambridge Analytica to covertly mine millions of user profiles, or the ABC’s 4 Corners revelation this week that Facebook actively encourages extreme content to bump up user engagement and generate more profits – have only added to the burden many parents now carry.
But how do you know what your children get up to on the Net?
How can you protect them from cyber-bullying and data farming?
And what are the symptoms of screen addiction and what are the best ways to combat it?
On Thursday and Friday this week, 1600 children from South Burnett schools will be attending a series of one-hour presentations at St John’s Lutheran School in Kingaroy to learn how they can use social media without exposing themselves to risk.
And on Thursday night at 6:30pm, a special seminar for parents will show them how they can play a useful role in keeping their children safe from harm.
The seminars have been arranged by St John’s P&F and are being led by Johnny Shannon, a sought-after youth speaker endorsed by the Office of the Australian eSafety Commissioner.
Over the past decade Jonny has delivered more than 2200 presentations at 370 high schools around Australia.
His visit to the South Burnett has been sponsored by St John’s P&F and Northern Agri Services, and will cover topics including what’s different about the current generation of children; apps to look out for; mobile phone contacts; and the keys to cyber safety and security.
Jonny will also discuss cyber-bullying, social media safety, online reputation management and phone and online addiction, along with strategies to handle each one, if they arise.
The parent’s seminar will be held at St John’s Lutheran School Hall at 84-94 Ivy Street in Kingaroy at 6:30pm.
It is free and is open to all parents, whether their children are enrolled at St John’s or not.
More details about the seminar can also be here
