Protecting your kids online: Safe Surfing Seminar at St. James Major

Sep 13, 2012

St. James Major Catholic School council is hosting a “Safe Surfing Seminar”, which is open to all parents and guardians in the community. The aim of the seminar is to help parents and guardians protect children as they surf the Internet and it will take place on Mon. Sept. 24 at 6:30pm in St. James Major Church Hall in Sharbot Lake.

The seminar coincides with the school’s fall open house and it will be the first time that the school has offered this kind of seminar to parents. It is being presented by Susan Laughton of Kidproof Canada. The goal of the seminar is to help adults understand what children are doing online and to become aware of the risks associated with the Internet and a number of social media sites used by children including Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

“By becoming aware of the risks, parents can help reduce those risks and be confident that their children are able to enjoy the positive things that the Internet has to offer them”, said the school’s vice-principal, Nienke Hoedeman.

The seminar was initiated by the school council and though not precipitated by any current incidents in this community, members of the council recognized the numerous instances of illegal use of the Internet by dangerous groups and / or individuals as well as its inappropriate content for children. The seminar will give parents and guardians the tools they need to reduce the risks to their children.

The seminar for parents and guardians will be preceded by an Internet safety workshop for students at the school, also presented by Kidproof Canada. For more information about Kidproof Canada visit www.kidproofsafety.com or call the school at 613-279-3300. The school will be providing child care for parents wishing to attend the presentation. St. James Major Catholic School is located at 14608 Highway 38 in Sharbot Lake.