New Life Church will be hosting speaker Constable Darren Laur on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m. to present Internet/Social Media Safety and Digital Literacy Education for Parents 101.
Current research has shown that cyber bullying, or what digital peer aggression, has increased due to the ever-growing popularity of social networking. It is also a fact that school educators, administrators and parents are having to deal with this challenge at ever increasing rates. Sexting, too, has become a challenge that schools are facing with current research both here in Canada and the U.S. reporting that between 20 to 25 per cent of teens have engaged in some form of online sexting behaviour, the consequences of which often flow over to school life.
This presentation is designed to shed some light on the facts surrounding these two online challenges and what parents and teachers can do to mitigate the often negative outcomes from such behaviors.
"When computers were the only Internet connection, parents had control because it was in the home. But now kids are on-line 24/7 with iPhones and vulnerable," said Marita Rosenlind of New Life Church. "Laur designed the course to empower parents and to make them aware of current teen trends. The seminar will help equip parents with information on how to manage their child's online behavior and how to engage in conversation with their children about the risks they face."
"We want to invite parents in the community to the seminar," said Rosenlind. "The more parents we educate, the better. Tweens and teens are welcome to attend as well."
The workshop is free but preregistration is required. Seating is limited. Go to www.newlifechurch. ca/events or telephone 250-748-6521 Ext. 64. A goodwill offering will be taken.
For more information on Constable Daren Laur, Personal Protection Systems go to www.personalprotectionsystems.ca