From Dr. Seuss to Porn

20 10 2010

Parent Evening

The Community Child Abuse Council of Canada presents a special evening for parents on Monday, October 25 as part of its Child Abuse Prevention Month activities. The free evening event features Cordelia Anderson, a recognized expert in child maltreatment. Anderson will engage parents, caregivers and foster parents in a dialogue about what she calls our “sexually toxic” society and how to help children navigate this potentially dangerous landscape.

Pre-registration is required: call (905) 523-1020 ext. 14 or visit the Council’s web site: www.childabusecouncil.on.ca for more information.

On Tuesday, October 26 Cordelia Anderson will be the featured speaker at an all-day symposium for professionals. The focus of the day includes the sexual development of children and the impact of today’s cultural norms and sexually permissive media. For full information visit www.childabusecouncil.on.ca or call the Council: (905) 523-1020 ext. 14. Registration fee is $75.00 per person and space is limited.


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Categories : child abuse, community development, EnMark Associates, media, research, social media, technology, youth

How Tweet It Is

7 09 2010

I have been checking out ideas with two of the younger members in our family and am delighted with what I’m learning about their online savvy and their level of empowerment in using the web to their advantage (yes, they have had the requisite warnings about the dangers lurking in the world wide spider web). For these young people, prepping for the return to school has been as much about upgrading software and putting a new fashion “skin” on their cell phones as about reading lists and classroom schedules. Thankfully, their thumbs stayed nimble over the summer months – all those texts!

They are fast becoming adept online researchers and barely remember a time when you couldn’t “Google something”. Digital downloads are replacing the library stacks and emoticons ♥  have become the grafitti of choice. They are in touch, tuned-in, and capable of instant communication and connections. They are learning the language, honing their skills, and developing their navigational expertise while watching trends and gaining access to information in new and mind boggling ways. And they are almost completely unaware of how the world ever functioned without all of this – it’s their everyday, their “same old”.

How many hours, I wonder, will they spend online in the next ten years? How much time will they eventually devote to the learning curve required for keeping up, staying connected? Will they be smart about their online presence? Can they avoid the risks that are “out there”? If they let me, this  guide and advisor will be asking these and other questions along the way. I’ll share my concerns and delight in all the shared learning I hope we’ll do together. Like parents, caregivers, and concerned family members everywhere, I will hope to be helpful.

Their journey continues. I wouldn’t trade places with them (Me? Sweet 16? Again?) but how exciting it is to have a seat up front with a great view of all the action – seatbelt firmly fastened.

 “The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them.” (Maya Angelou)


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Categories : Karen Smith, media, social media

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