The Ministry of Education and Child Care, in partnership with adolescent Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Hayley Watson, will be hosting free virtual sessions on youth substance use for parents/guardians, caregivers and caring adults. Dr. Watson will provide valuable insights, practical tips, and resources to equip participants with the tools needed to guide their children and youth toward making positive choices when it comes to substance use.
Key Takeaways for Participants:
- Learn why children/teenagers are drawn to substances.
- Understand what causes and maintains substance use disorder and needs.
- Increase your child’s ability to make positive choices about substances.
- Acquire practical conversation tools for discussing substances in the home.
Participants must register in advance due to limited capacity. Session dates are:
- February 20, 6:00 – 7:30 pm PST – Click here to Register
- February 22, 6:00 – 7:30 pm PST – Click here to Register
- February 28, 6:00 – 7:30 pm PST – Click here to Register
Digital Safety
Just a reminder that if you haven’t had the opportunity to take part in the Establishing Safe, Caring, and Respectful Digital Communities session there is one final opportunity on Feb. 28.
Parents/Caregivers/Grandparents and youth aged 10 and up are encouraged to take part and learn how to navigate challenging topics such as cyberbullying, sexting, digital addiction, and more! The virtual Social Media Awareness Family Session is being held by Safer Schools Together and the Ministry of Education and Child Care. This session is designed to support families and caregivers as they navigate the digital world.
This one-hour session covers all things digital and is a way to facilitate the conversation of safe and caring use of technology at home and in the community. Some of the most prominent concerns currently surrounding use of social media platforms, smartphones, and artificial intelligence will be discussed.
Families will learn:
- Digital media habits, oversharing, and digital addiction
- The permanence of online posts/activity
- The significance of your digital tattoo in how others perceive you (e.g., sports teams, college admissions, and potential employers)
- The importance of caring for peers both online and offline
- Geo-locational settings and the dangers of social media and cell phone misuse
- The social and legal consequences of cyberbullying behavior as well as possession and distribution of intimate images (sexting and sextortion)
- An anonymous student reporting tool that can help you and your friends stay safe both online and offline
Families can register at https://pages.saferschoolstogether.com/erase-family-session.