Wellbeing

Collective Shout Wellbeing Incursion

Wednesday, 30th August

PARENTS AND COMMUNITY SOCIAL AWARENESS SESSION

We would like to inform you that on Tuesday, 29th August, you are invited to attend a one-hour session focused on an important and timely topic: "Porn Culture, Consent, and Respect." In today's society, young people are constantly exposed to hyper-sexualized messages and images through media, advertising, and pop culture. 

Furthermore, the widespread availability of online pornography is shaping their understanding of bodies, relationships, and sexuality. It is crucial that we address these issues and equip our children with the knowledge and skills to navigate this sexed-up world while maintaining respect for themselves and others.

During this session, you will have the opportunity to delve into the harmful effects of pornography and porn culture. Drawing from global research and first-person accounts of young people, you will critically evaluate how these messages distort their views of themselves, their bodies, and their relationships. By understanding these negative impacts, you will also gain insight into how pornography and social media can harm their physical, emotional, and social development.

Moreover, the session will address important topics such as the objectification of women and the sexualization of girls in media, advertising, and pop culture. Parents will learn about the risks associated with online platforms, including predators, bots, and 'sextortion.' The session will also shed light on the loss of empathy that can occur through exposure to violence in video games and popular memes, which desensitises young people to real-life violence. You will explore ways to confront sexual harassment, sexual assault, and coercive control, fostering an understanding of consent, the establishment of personal boundaries, and the importance of respectful relationships.

The desired outcomes of this session are multi-faceted. We aim to help you understand how social media and sexualized media influence body image, mental health, and respectful relationships. Through this session you may assist to develop the confidence in your child to act according to their values and personal boundaries, as well as engage in social and cultural change. By equipping them with this knowledge, we hope to empower our students to resist harmful messages and actively contribute to a society that values respect, empathy, and authentic connections.

We understand that these topics may be sensitive and complex, and as parents, you play a crucial role in supporting your children through their learning journey. 

To further support parents and the wider community, we have invited two esteemed presenters to lead this session. Melinda Tankard Reist, an author, speaker, media commentator, and advocate for young people, will draw from her extensive experience addressing sexualization, objectification, and the harms of pornography. Daniel Principle, a youth advocate and educator from Collective Shout, will challenge toxic messages about masculinity and help young men understand the impact of cultural forces on their perceptions of bodies, relationships, and sexuality. These expert presenters will provide valuable insights and practical tips for raising happy, healthy, and resilient young people who value their dignity and self-worth.

We believe that this session will be of immense benefit to our parents and community, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate a complex and often challenging world. We encourage you to have conversations with your children about the topics covered, and we hope that together we can foster an environment that promotes respect, empathy, and authentic connections.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this session, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. If you would like to attend the session which includes light refreshments and snacks, please scan the QR below and RSVP.

Endorsements: 

“I hesitantly went to Melinda’s talk about children being sexualised in the media thinking it was going to be a sensationalist attempt to make me feel bad as a parent. During her introduction I realised it was the best 50 steps I took from the car to the auditorium and 90 minutes later, I had quantifiable evidence and authentic strategies to help educate my children against the normalisation of women and girls as se*ual objects in the media.” -  Heather Douglas, parent, Adelaide S.A

“You were both so real and passionate and empathetic. There is a significant frankness and passion to the way in which you present which is both striking and authentic” - Naomi Sherborne, Health Promotion Officer, Jewish Care

“I learnt to respect women and how to be a more complete man” - Sam, 15, Kuyper Christian School, NSW

“Informative, engaging, eye-opening. Highly recommended- 10/10!” - Julia Picone, Head Teacher Wellbeing, George’s River College, Peakhurst, NSW

“Thank you for making us feel strong. I never saw such closeness and community in the girls. But you gave us that. I have never felt more seen, as a female, as a student, as a victim...You’ve demonstrated the power that we can have, we just have to claim it by speaking out…” - Leo, 17, Adelaide, SA

“You excelled in this space. You had the young men in the room in the palm of your hand, guiding them on a journey of learning and self-awareness. Our young men walked away all the better for the time they spent with you” - Tammy Hawkins, Head of Students, St Philip's College, NT

“Through their presentations and follow up interactions, Melinda and Daniel provided a safe space to allow us to challenge society’s narrow definition of what it is to be a good man and motivated our community to take positive steps to ensure we pursue happy, healthy and positive relationships” - Liam Casson – Director of The Wynne Centre for Boys’ Health and Wellbeing, Christ Church Grammar School, WA

How many times did you hear this growing up?

“Money doesn’t grow on trees!”

If I had a dollar for every time I heard it, I probably could have grown that money tree after all.

It’s important to reflect on the money messages we heard as children because they shape our perception of money as adults–and in turn, the way we teach our own kids about money.

It’s true that we need to be smart about money. 

But messages like “money doesn’t grow on trees” or “we can’t afford that” can foster a scarcity mindset.

And having a scarcity mindset can lead to fear and a negative mindset about money. This can limit our ability (and later, our children’s ability) to recognize and pursue opportunities.

Instead, we can cultivate an abundance mindset by using positive language to highlight possibilities and opportunities.

For example, if your child wants a new toy that isn’t in your budget, say:

“That’s not in our spending plan right now, but let’s take a picture of it. We can make a plan to see how we can make it work in the future.”

Depending on your child’s age, you can encourage them to find creative ways to make money–like saving up the allowance, doing odd jobs, starting a small business, or even investing.

You can also share positive money messages like:

• “Lots of people earn money doing jobs they love.”
•  “We can do a lot of good with money.”
•  “I’m grateful for the money we have.”

Sending nudes and sexting

Young people are often better at managing relationships and protecting themselves online if you give them support and guidance. It’s important to talk with them about sending nudes and sexting, to help them stay safe.

What is 'sending nudes', 'sexting' and 'image-based abuse'?

When young people talk about ‘sending nudes’, it usually means sharing intimate photos or videos of themselves with someone else using an online message or chat function, or a phone text service. ‘Sexting’ means sending a sexual message or text, with or without a photo or video. Sending nudes and sexting are becoming common among young people and adults.When someone shares (or threatens to share) the intimate image or video without the consent of the person shown in it this is ‘image-based abuse’. The content can be shared with others via text or online. This can be traumatic for the person shown, so it’s important that young people feel comfortable about reaching out for support so they can get the images taken down and find any other help they need.

How to talk with your child about sending nudes

Research shows that 45% of young people aged 14 to 17 have seen sexual images online. But banning your child from using the internet is not practical – these days it’s important for healthy social interaction. Instead, you can help prepare your child by having open conversations about their online experiences from an early age, before they’re teenagers. That way, they’re more likely to come to you for advice if they see anything that makes them uncomfortable or upset.

It’s also a good idea to talk about consent from an early age. We know that although its uncommon, children as young as 9 have shared nude images online – this may be due to not understanding the risks or being pressured by an older child or adult.

Children are more likely to make safe choices when adults have early protective conversations. You can start without mentioning sex or the topic of sending nudes. For example, ask your child for permission to take their photo or to post a photo of them on your social media. Then as they develop, you can talk with them about consent in various online situations.

If your child is already a teenager, talking about consent first is still a good way to start a conversation about sending nudes. 

Here are some suggestions for how to have the discussion about sending nudes – you can choose what you think is right for your child and family.

Match your approach to your child’s level of maturity, age, and the type of relationship you share with them. You might take the opportunity for a chat while you’re doing something together, like a long walk or a car trip. Sitting side by side, rather than looking at each other, can help make it less awkward!

Open the conversation with a real-life story from the media or your child’s school or community . Ask questions like ‘Do you think it was right for them to share that photo after they broke up?’ or ‘Do you think it was right for them to post that video online of their friend having sex?’ Follow up by asking ‘Why?’, ‘Why not?’ or ‘Tell me more’ to help you understand more about what they’re thinking.

Explore what their friends think about sharing nudes. Ask your child what they think might happen if one of their friend’s nudes went viral and how they would get help.

Talk about mutual respect and trust. Explore why these behaviours are important to maintain healthy and respectful relationships. Explain that if someone is pressuring them to send an intimate image, that can be a sign that something isn’t right in the relationship. It doesn’t matter if the person is a friend, crush or someone they just met online.

Let them know that it’s OK to say ‘no’ when someone asks for an intimate image or video or to get sexual online, even if it’s someone they think they can trust. Respecting their bodies and personal values is important.

Help them understand that it’s important to get consent before sharing any type of image or video of someone else. Let your child know that sharing an intimate image or video of someone without their consent is a breach of trust and against the law.

Tell them they can always talk with you, no matter how worried or embarrassed they feel. Let them know that you will help them work things out if they feel pressured to share an intimate image or video of themselves or if they have shared an intimate image or video of someone else. 

Term 3 2023 eSafety Webinars for Parents/Carers

Dear Parents/Carers 

At Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) we see parents and carers as partners in your child's learning journey. In partnership with the eSafety Commissioner, CSPD would like to invite you to join the following free webinars for parents and carers:

1. eSafety 101: how eSafety can help you
2. Getting the most out of gaming
3. Online boundaries and consent
4. Getting started with social media: TikTok, YouTube, Instagram
5. Online relationships and consent: sending nudes and sexting

About the webinars

If you have any further enquiries please email safeguarding@parra.catholic.edu.au.

Mr Chris Bettiol

Leader of Wellbeing, Growth and Development