The technological and digital revolution has confronted parents and carers as the 21st century has evolved. It has felt like a bullet train as the bright lights from screens, notification alerts, loud videos, and audio messages are imposed into our living spaces. What were once personal spaces where escape from the busyness of your day was guaranteed has now been eroded. Personal privacy is quickly compromised with a 鈥榮nap鈥� of you being catapulted into cyberspace and into the bedroom of another teen or you make a cameo appearance in your teen鈥檚 live stream. The homes of families have now become a background for a teen鈥檚 Tik-Toks as they ravenously devour this mode of communication. As COOs (Chief Operating Officers) of your families, managing screen time and building responsible digital independence through navigating cyber safety issues and the addictive nature of apps, gaming and software leave the average COOs bewildered, confused, and in need of guidance. Alternatively, the road of least resistance can seem an alluring mirage as the exhaustion of having two jobs, an employee or business owner and a COO, and the responsibility of being a guardrail for the bullet train teens is a bridge too far. At times, it is a lonely experience to feel this way; however, here at 91福利, we value working together so our young adults know they can rely on our support.

Through the College鈥檚 Find Your North Program, we have partnered with Eyes Open Social Media to educate the students about their digital use and safety. Teens have always been digital natives of technology and embrace any new trends, think records, cassettes, and boom boxes, CD and video players, My Space etc. The New Frontier is the challenge of the intentional use of Chat GPT as a transformative technology with young adults, as they are tempted to use the efficiencies of the technology to claw back their time, which seems reasonable if it is used ethically.

Another challenge that has become evident with some of our Lakes Learners is the access to Discord and other similar chat rooms, which can be very concerning for vulnerable teens. To protect and support the wellbeing of our young adults, TLC IT Services has blocked the use of Discord on students鈥� devices while at school and when using school-issued devices at home.

To further support families, the Office of the eSafety Commissioner is a valuable government resource committed to helping all Australians have safe, positive experiences online by allowing everyone to stay up to date with online issues, new resources, and the latest research. As a one-stop-shop for online safety, the Office is a highly recommended resource for our students, parents, and carers.

Here are some links to specific resources for parents:

• eSafety Commissioner鈥檚 information on Discord
• Discord鈥檚 parent hub
• eSafety Commissioner鈥檚 guide to various apps and online services.
• eSafety Commissioner鈥檚 parent resources
• eSafety Commissioner鈥檚 issues and advice for parents
• eSafety Commissioner鈥檚 parent webinars

We also recommend the following resources for families.

Dr Justin Coulson (host of Parental Guidance and former TLC guest) is hosting an up-and-coming event, (with the rather brilliant tagline, more nirvana, less drama), on Thursday 14 September. The lineup of speakers is phenomenal, but of particular interest is the guest presenter Jean Twenge (Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University), who will be presenting a session on Teens & Social Media entitled 鈥楤lack Hole Sun鈥�. The online event and lineup of experts in teenagers will assist families in developing an understanding of their teenager and strategies to support them in a range of contexts and situations.

A useful Podcast 鈥溾�� for parents and carers

is a researcher, speaker, author, mum and digital wellness expert whose offers advice to parents on how to ensure teens form healthy technology habits rather than banning their devices. Finding the best ways to use technology with our kids while minimising any potential risks is essential if our kids are to form healthy relationships with technology. () Subscribe to her for useful tips.

Eyes Open Social Media offers to navigate the challenges of social media use and safety.

Digital technology and the desire for teenagers to embrace the latest new game, app or trend is not going away. It can be a valuable learning tool in a teen鈥檚 educational journey when used safely and intentionally to enhance their lives in positive ways that do not cause harm to themselves or others. The resources provided offer advice on how to help our teens use screens in a balanced and healthy way.

Susan McLean offers on her website. Susan is no stranger to TLC as she worked in partnership with the College in 2019 to support families, students, and staff. Susan established and managed the Victoria Police Cyber Safety Project, which ran from March to October 2007, which researched and reported on the issue of internet safety as it applied to young people and adults with an intellectual disability.

Working in partnership and seeking further knowledge and understanding about the world our teenagers are experiencing is instrumental in positively influencing their lives. Together, we are the guardrails that provide room for growth and independence; however, there is also a safety net for them. Our hope is that the resources provided give you the confidence to navigate the challenging terrain when supporting your young adults.

If you require further support with your teenager, be sure to reach out to our team, who are experienced in working with this age group.

In gratitude,

Madonna Potter
Head of Secondary