Hobsons Bay City Council is providing educational sessions for parents concerned about their children’s online safety.
As part of a national program of Cybersmart Initiatives, Hobsons Bay Libraries and Youth Services hosted a Cybersmart Internet Safety Awareness presentation on Thursday 3 March.
Parents and carers were invited to attend the internet safety awareness session at Williamstown Library, which was provided by the Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner.
The session was hosted by Cybersmart trainer Greg Gebhart and discussed issues facing children as they become increasingly immersed in digital technologies.
Research shows that one in five Australian children aged 12 to 17 have been the target of cyberbullying in the past year.
For many teenagers, their online life is an important part of their social identity. They often fear that as a ‘solution’ to cyberbullying their parents might disconnect them from the internet, and so also disconnect them from their friends.
This can prevent some teens from reporting cyberbullying issues. Some are also concerned that their parents will make cyberbullying issues worse.
The session also covered the role of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner; potential risks for children online such as theft, inappropriate contact and exposure; plus tips to help children stay safe online.
