Educating parents on cyber safety

By Angie Mindus

Cariboo Advisor

The District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) is hosting a cyberspace safety presentation later this month to help protect children from the risks involved in using social networking and the Internet by educating their parents.

DPAC Parent Education Coordinator Shelley Wiggins, who is organizing the event, says social networking and the Internet in general is often voiced as a topic of concern by local parents.

“We are trying to giving the parents some tools they can use so they are better-equip to deal with the risks associated with these new and ever-changing technologies.”

Technologies speaker Steve Dotto will be giving an informative presentation called Cyber Safe which will outline the risks of social networking and Web 2.0 for youth and the tools parents need to come to terms with both the dangers and their role in protecting their children.

“Without fail the response of our audience is shock, concern and determination to take on the responsibility of our generation, namely protecting our youth in cyberspace,” Dotto says of his presentation.

If this event is well attended, Wiggins says DPAC is hoping to bring in more speakers on a number of topics suggested by parents. Parents wishing to request a future topic may write on the DPAC’s website at sd27dpac@hotmail.com or to www.sd27dpac.com. 

Tickets for Cyber Safe with Steve are $3 in advance available at Cariboo Memorial Complex, or $5 at the door. The presentation begins at 7 p.m. on October 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Gibraltar Room. 

Parents are urged to leave their children at home due to the adult content of the program.