School TV

Teenage gatherings provide young people with important opportunities to interact and build on their social skills and experiences. Celebrations, partying and socialising are a fundamental rite of passage and one of the most important aspects of a young person’s life. However, it is possible for the best young person to get carried away with their peers and the euphoria of the moment.

For parents and caregivers, keeping your young person safe can at times feel daunting and is often a compromise and a challenge. Most teenagers try to do the right thing most of the time, but your leadership as a role model is crucial. Your child may appear to be physically large and mature, but this is not necessarily matched by their emotional maturity and responsibility in behaviour.

Every party has the potential to get out-of-hand as sometimes it’s hard for young partygoers to make good decisions. Communication and regular discussions are vital, particularly because young people are often faced with peer pressure to do things they prefer not to engage in. Hosting a celebration at home or at a venue can be a fun and memorable event but it is important to agree on the ground rules well before your event is announced to ensure there are no misunderstandings later on.

If hosting an event, you owe your guests a ‘duty-of-care’ and should ensure all reasonable steps are taken to keep partygoers safe. This Special Report provides caregivers with list of things to consider when planning a celebration.

SchoolTV is an online resource designed to inform, educate and empower parents, teachers and other community members about some of the challenges around raising safe, happy and resilient young people. It is a fresh approach to the growing issues and pressures faced by Australian youth.

The features of SchoolTV include video based content and leading youth research and strategies on topics such as digital reputation, sexting, screen addiction, cyberbullying, youth anxiety and self harm. Some of Australia’s leading academics, specialists and authorities in youth health and wellbeing contribute to SchoolTV, with changes to their focus monthly.

You can access all previous SchoolTV topics from the archives by clicking on the link below.