The University of Canberra (UC) has launched a series of free workshops for parents and children to bridge the intergenerational divide and reduce digital conflict within families.
Researcher with the News and Media Research Centre at UC, Catherine Page Jeffery said the Safe Online Together Project was aimed at parents of children aged 10 to 15 years and was running until 5 December.
Dr Page Jeffery said the workshops were interactive, accessible and sought to promote mutual understanding and knowledge about digital media use between children and their parents.
“Through the workshops, we hope that both parents and their children can come to appreciate each other’s concerns and perspectives,” she said.
“We want parents to appreciate the important role that digital media plays in the lives of young people.
“At the same time, young people need to acknowledge their parents’ concerns about online risks and the desire for a balanced use of digital media.”
Dr Page Jeffery said it was important for parents, alongside their children, to be educated in online safety.
“Parents are tasked with protecting their children from online risks, while simultaneously maximising the various opportunities that digital media offer young people,” she said.
“My research indicates that parents find this difficult, or find that attempts to manage their children’s device usage can result in family conflict.”
Dr Page Jeffery said the Project also aimed to change the perception of young people as vulnerable risk takers in the online environment and instead support them to share their knowledge about managing their online presence with younger peers and families.
She said the Project was made possible by a grant from the Australian eSafety Commissioner.
Further information on the Safe Online Together workshops can be accessed at this PS News link.
