HIPPY (Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters) in partnership with Lifetime Connect brought cyber safety consultant Angie Derrett to the Nambucca Valley to run workshops with parents and students at several schools this month.

Workshops were facilitated at Medlow School, Bowraville Central and Macksville Public for students ranging from years four to six.

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Lee and Bronwyn, teacher and School Learning Support Officer, from Bowraville Central said, “Thank you for such wonderful information shared with the children and teachers in Year 4.”

Parents and playgroup staff from Medlow playgroup and Bowraville Community Preschool also attended.

Sarah Landers from Medlow School said, “It was a very engaging presentation for our Stage 2/3 on how to be cyber safe.”

All sessions were very well attended, parents and children all engaged with the content and in discussions and conversations.

The workshops included content on topics like what is a healthy amount of time to spend in front of a screen, the impacts of devices on children’s (and adults) brain development, social skills, and mental health, and the importance of sleep and time out from devices.

Workshops also covered the behaviours parents model to their children, and how that impacts their children’s use of devices within and outside the home.

Content was also provided on ensuring responsible behaviour while online, legal ramifications, how to deal with online bullying, and how/why not to be an online bully.

HIPPY Coordinator Nadia Farrah said, “All the workshops were well attended and given that we received very positive feedback we would be happy to offer this workshop again in the future.”

“Schools, preschools, and other service providers in the Nambucca Valley are welcome to contact and let us know if they are interested.”

For more information contact Nadia Farrah on 0457 160 138.

By Karen GRIBBIN