Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools is bringing in an online safety and social networking expert to speak to middle school parents and students.
The free event takes place on Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Joseph High School and will feature a presentation from Paul Davis, who has spoken to more than 640,000 students from Grades 4-12 across North America about topics such as social media, sexting, child pornography, digital trails, smartphones, online security among others.
Davis will focus on the latest topics, technologies and trends, including cyberbullying at the presentation co-sponsored by the Smiles Thru Lindsey Foundation and the Red Deer Catholic Education Foundation. Attendees are encouraged to register on Eventbrite.
“Through my experience as a principal working with young adults, I see the importance of empowering students and parents when it comes to social media, helping them learn how to be safe and set limits with their use,” said St. Francis of Assisi Middle School principal Gary Gylander. “The risks that come with smartphones, technology and social media, continue to increase and in the school setting we see this every day.”
Rick and Cindy More, of the Smiles Thru Lindsey Foundation, said they know all too well the importance of keeping youth safe online.
“On Sept. 20, 2015 our daughter Lindsey lost her battle with depression. A disease she hid from us through high school. When we searched for answers, one of our conclusions attributed social media as a contributor to her depression.
“As parents, it is imperative we understand the dangers that surround our children around social media and the importance of our involvement. Paul Davis will open your eyes to a tech world that is not totally understood.
“We pray no parent experiences the loss we endure,” say the Mores.
Davis will also be speaking to about 2,700 students in Grades 6-9 during two, daytime sessions on Monday.
For more information go to socialnetworkingsafety.net.
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