Seminar to help parents, carers raise kids in digital world

A CYBER safety seminar for parents and carers of young people will be held at Bacchus Marsh Public Hall next Wednesday 26 February from 7pm.

Leading Senior Constable Jim Ross is the youth resource officer for the Moorabool Police service area and said the evening presented by Inform and Empower presenters Martin McGauran and Carley McGauran will have a focus on raising children in a digital world.

“It’s an introduction to parents and what their children will be learning as part of cyber safety sessions in their primary schools, but also providing them with the information, skills, and tips as to how to engage in conversations around cyber safety with their child,” he said.

“Throughout the Bacchus Marsh cluster, which also includes Myrniong and Balliang, 3200 primary school students from prep to grade 6 will be engaged in a cyber safety incursion once a term, and we’ll be providing toolkits, lesson plans and ideas for teachers to extend those one-hour age-appropriate sessions.”

The parent and carer seminar will cover the topics of social media, online gaming, family communications, screen time, cyber bullying, managing home devices, trends for kids and tweens online, and explicit or adult content.

Mr Ross said early prevention and intervention is key as police are seeing a growing trend of young people aged eight to 10 years of age falling victim to cyber crimes or becoming an offender on social media.

These cyber crimes include cyber bullying and sextortion, which can spark mental health issues, and have led some young people to suicide.

Mr Ross said he was proud that Bacchus Marsh Blue Light and Community Bank Bacchus Marsh are supporting this project.

The content of the parent and carer seminar is not suitable for children. Visit bit.ly/BacchusParents to register to attend.

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, visit beyondblue.org.au or call their 24/7 hotline on 1300 22 4636. You can also visit lifeline.org.au or call them on 13 11 14 and help for young people is available at kidshelpline.com.au or by calling them on 1800 55 1800.