At St Thomas Aquinas we are continually teaching our students about digital and online safety to help them become knowledgeable digital citizens. Each week we will be posting online safety tips to help parents and families build your knowledge and open discussion with your children at home. Watch this space! 

The hard-to-have conversations

Talking with your child about tricky personal subjects.

Perhaps your child has been bullied online, sent or received an intimate image, or come across pornography online. Conversations about experiences like these can be difficult.  

When you talk to your child about personal subjects, you are trying to balance a number of different things: 

• respecting your child’s privacy while still making sure they are safe and happy 
• giving them space to test their own problem-solving skills online but supporting them as they make their own way 
• educating them about people’s different personalities but knowing you can’t make their choices for them 
• establishing boundaries while being understanding and open 

For kids under 8 years old

• Strike a balance between protecting your children and avoiding increasing their curiosity. If you are reasonably sure your child has not been exposed to pornographic content, you might feel that raising the subject will simply make them curious. 
• At this age, it may be best to couch a discussion about pornography in a broader discussion about sex, protecting our bodies, abuse, or other similarly delicate topics. Your approach will depend on your own family values and the maturity level of your child. 
• Focus more on how your child is feeling than on what exactly they saw. Children at this age may feel ‘yucky’ and scared – even violated – but they may also feel curious. 
• While you may want to avoid the issue of ‘too much information’, try to respond to your child's curiosity with honesty and candour. 

For pre-teens 8-12

• At this age, kids may be curious about sex and sexuality. As they enter puberty and adolescence, changes in the brain and body combined with other hormonal changes can increase your child’s interest in this area.  
• They may hear things in the playground or at a friend’s home. They might want to know more, but feel that asking mum or dad about sex would be embarrassing. Sometimes they may seek information out themselves, or someone else may show them images and videos – and these may include pornography. 
• You may have already talked with them about things like puberty, body image, sex, gender, keeping bodies safe (from abuse) or even pornography. If not, now is a good time to start planning these conversations. 

I need help to start the chat 

If you feel it is just too hard for you to have a conversation about sex or pornography with a child in your care, here are a few things you could try: 

• Get a book – there are lots of suitable books on this topic for children of different ages. 
• Purchase an educational, and age-appropriate, DVD for your child to watch. 
• Find a trusted adult, such as an auntie, uncle or teacher to help with the conversation. 
• Talk to the school counsellor, a professional counselling service or Helpline or Parentline.
• Try to let your child know why you find it difficult to talk about these topics – they are tricky and sensitive. Explain that you want them to have access to the right information. 

Students are introduced to new Ngunnawal vocabulary weekly. Special thanks to Miss Evans for continuing our learning of our Ngunnawal Country.

May Birthdays

Ella D, Jesse R, Cooper K, Lorelei M, Charles M, Declan W, Jack P, Gurnoor K, Alice T, Zahli A, Nikola G, Amelia M, Arianna RM, Oliver H, Connor W, Emily L-B, Brooklyn S, Ashan H, Scarlett F, Nate N, Mayen K, Toby N, Theresa V, Shaela S, Ryan P, Lyla M, Aston P, Evangeline G, Isaac P, Gabriel T, Tudor C, Chimaobi M

Empower Girls With Our Selfie-Esteem Program

Facilitated by Madeleine West

Social media's influence is as pervasive as it is profound, the impact on young girls’ self-esteem is a growing concern that demands immediate and focused attention. The relentless comparison to unrealistic beauty standards, the distorted metrics of success, and the often toxic culture of body shaming can significantly impair their mental health and well-being. It is against this backdrop that initiatives aimed at empowering young girls to navigate the online interactions become not just relevant, but necessary.

Recent events, such as those at a Victorian school where boys objectified young girls influenced by misogynistic influencers ,warped social media beauty standards, serve as a chilling reminder of the urgent need for proactive measures. This objectification, underpinned by social media, and as we head into a world steeped in AI Generated filters spills over into the real world, manifesting in male violence towards women and other harmful behaviours. These incidents underscore a broader societal issue where online interactions influence real-life attitudes and actions, emphasising the need for a cultural shift towards healthier online habits and interactions.

Empowering and Uplifting Young Girls
Building resilience and self-worth in young girls is essential to counter the negative influences of social media. This begins with fostering an environment that encourages open dialogue, allowing girls to express their concerns without fear of judgment. It is vital to shift the focus from physical appearance to celebrating personal strengths and achievements. Implementing affirmations, positive reinforcement, and exposing young girls to role models who exemplify success through intelligence, kindness, and talent can significantly bolster self-esteem. Engaging them in activities that promote teamwork and skill development helps to reinforce their capabilities and inherent value.

The Transformative Journey with Madeleine West
Facilitated by Madeleine West mother of six, known for her relentless child safety and environmental advocacy as well as roles on stage and screen, the "Selfie Esteem" program offers a profound journey into self-discovery tailored for young girls and those identifying as female.

Madeleine's diverse experiences, both professional and personal, provide her with a unique ability to connect with young women, guiding them through the complexities of online interactions and self-perception.

Program Overview
The "Selfie Esteem" program is a comprehensive 90min session designed to tackle various aspects critical to developing a healthy relationship with social media and fostering a robust self-image:

Building Selfie-Esteem and Confidence
Participants engage in self-discovery, where Madeleine helps boost their self-esteem and confidence, crucial for navigating both personal and online spaces.
 

• Healthy Relationships with the Online World
  Strategies are shared to create positive online interactions, ensuring enriching and safe digital experiences.

• Resilience and Handling Online Stress
  The program covers effective coping mechanisms for managing online stress and cyberbullying, essential for maintaining mental well-being.

• Boundaries, Consent, and Selfie Love
  This module focuses on asserting personal boundaries, understanding consent, and promoting self-love, empowering girls to value themselves beyond their digital personas.

• Empowerment Now and Into the Future
  Encouraging proactive steps towards personal aspirations, this session empowers participants to leverage their strengths in all facets of life.

• Being Your Best Online and In Real Life (IRL)
  Bridging online personas with real-life identities, the session stresses consistency in values and ethics across all platforms.

• Emotional Intelligence and Online Leadership Skills
  Covering trust-building, vulnerability, and assertiveness, this part of the program nurtures leadership qualities, setting a positive example for peers online.

Why This Matters
The necessity of such programs is highlighted by the growing number of mental health and violence issues linked to social media use and low self-esteem. By empowering young girls with the tools to navigate their online presence confidently, understand privacy settings, recognise signs of cyberbullying, and engage critically with content, we foster not just safer online environments but also healthier mindsets.
 

Book Now
To find out more about booking the Selfie-Esteem program in your school please reach out today to: wecanhelp@safeonsocial.com