By RUSSELL BENNETT
“CHILDREN are the experts on technology and always will be, but we’ve graduated from the university of life with a PhD.”
Internationally-renowned key-note speaker Robyn Treyvaud earlier this month gave an eye-opening insight into the world of teen cyber-communication at a forum at Emerald Secondary College.
Her audience included local school teachers, principals, students and their parents, Cardinia police, shire councillors and other community leaders.
Her aim wasn’t to scare or to shock, but it was to inform about the potential dangers of online social media and just how little most adults know about how young people interact online.
And some of the statistics she shared were damning – that 61 per cent of children say they know how to hide their online problems from their parents, and 55 per cent of young girls reported being bullied online.
Ms Treyvaud, the founder of Australian website Cyber Safe Kids, presented the confronting statistics at the forum.
The event was hosted by Emerald and District Rotary Club with a capacity audience at Emerald Secondary College’s performing arts centre hanging off her every word.
Ms Treyvaud explained how “mean behaviour” online amongst young people could quickly escalate from a joke to being serious.
She said it could sometimes be hard to tell, online, if offence had been caused.
“We (often) can’t see personal, authentic reactions,” she said.
Ms Treyvaud also alerted the audience to the fact that one problem with internet communication was the capacity to be anonymous – that it’s easier for bullies to target others when they don’t have to reveal their real identities.
In a bid to keep their communication private, it was also revealed that young people were stepping back from the most commonly used social media, such as Facebook.
“Kids are drifting away from Facebook because their parents are signing up there,” Ms Treyvaud said.
“(And) many kids take online advice from friends or older siblings before a parent or a teacher.”
But Emerald Secondary College Year 10 student Hayley Thomas spoke at the forum about the value of online communication in her day-to-day life.
“I love living a life surrounded by technology,” she said.
“We need to understand how valuable it is and make the most of the opportunities it gives us.”
Leading Senior Constable Cathy Emmett, a youth resource officer with the Cardinia police, also delivered a few home truths about the consequences of improper use of electronic communication – such as ‘sexting’.
“For those under the age of 18 to take photos of their own genitals – that’s producing child pornography,” she said.
“For others (under-18) to ask for it, or receive it – that’s procuring it. To pass it on – that’s distributing it.
“Young people just don’t understand the legalities behind this,” she said. “The victims are often the ones committing the offence.”
Hayley, Ms Treyvaud and Sen Const Emmett also took part in an open panel discussion with Wayne Collins from ECHO Youth and Family Services, and Michelle Galley – a wellbeing coordinator and teacher at Emerald Secondary College.
The group answered a series of questions from the audience, ranging from Emerald and District Rotary president Ian Wakefield.
Sponsors for the cyber safety forum included the local Rotary arm, Bendigo Bank, both the Yarra Ranges and Cardinia shire councils, and Falcone and Adams lawyers – with partner Marcus Adams MC at the event.
To access the important resources discussed by Ms Treyvaud, visit: www.delicious.com/cybersafekids.
