Getting Started
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It is very important for parents to be regularly informed as to the benefits and potential risks of the internet and social media. The internet is always changing, and being able to keep up to date with ones children’s use of technology can sometimes be a challenge. Parents may sometimes feel that their children have better technical skills than they do, but children and young people still need advice and protection when it comes to managing their lives online and using the internet positively and safely.
Children need to be aware of the impact that their online activity can have on both themselves and other people, and the digital footprints that they create on the internet. These footprints can be perceived positively or negatively by people viewing the content, and for young people this may have a longer term impact on their online reputation, well-being and future career prospects. It’s easy to feel anonymous online and it’s important that children are aware of who is able to view, and potentially share, the information that they may have posted. When using the internet, it’s important to keep personal information safe and think carefully about who information is shared with. As parents if your child uses services that include privacy settings then support them in putting these in place to ensure they have greater control over who can see their messages, photos and other content posted online. Parents need to discuss with their child the importance of reporting inappropriate conversations, messages, images and behaviours and how this can be done. Parents need to remind them that they can always tell an adult if something online has worried or upset them
Learn More
Follow this process to set up a successful Media Parents meeting. Start by watching the videos that show some online tools for for setting up a meeting for parents. Use the web links and tips before you begin your planning prcess.
Next read the documents in this order
1. Choice of Dates, the Time Frame and the Number of Participants
These documents help you plan and choose the best dates and time to hold a Media Parents meeting. It gives tips on the minimum and maximum number of participants.
2. Room Layout and Choice of Technology
Here we look at what technical equipment for presentations are needed and how best to plan the seating and delivery positions.
3. Topic Selection and Invitation
Don’t try to present everything at once. Plan your Media Parents event using the extensive resources that we provide and adapt to the needs of the group and the time frame you have set. How do you reach the parents in the first place?
Exercise
This task deals with the basic planning and organisation of a media educational parents' evening. The most important aspects are briefly but clearly presented to prepare well for the event and not to forget anything.
Your task is to plan and execute a parents evening focusing on the Topic of Social Media and Instant Messaging for teenagers using the material and processes provided. Use the videos and URLs to help you prepare. Follow the four process documents to help you plan the time and date, prepare the technical equipment and room layout. Find out which topics to include and how to market your event.
Top tip! Don’t try to cover too much in the same meeting. You can always plan a follow up or give parents’ things to do or read at home.
What you learn in this course
- You will be able to formulate subtopics of a parents' evening on the topic "Social Media and Instant Messaging" for the age group.
- You will be able to name the elements of a parents' evening on this topic.
- You will be able to describe methods for conducting a parents' evening on this topic and identify them from a selection.
- You will be able to independently assign methods to selected sub-topics.
- You will be able to compile the topic and the methods of a (fictitious) parents' evening with the help of the knowledge from Course 1 and Course 10.
- You will be able to name and correctly allocate the fields of application of the additional materials.
- You will be able to plan a (fictitious) parents' evening on the topic "Social Media and Instant Messaging " for the age group with the help of the checklists and the planning sheet from course 1.
Get ready: Tips for MediaParent consultants
The course is modularised and makes it possible to offer and conduct media educational parents' evenings at educational (leisure) institutions. Learning is promoted through helpful practical materials and the supportive environment on the internet.
Parental awareness sessions are a valuable opportunity to provide families with advice and support; however, attendance at these types of events can vary, so they should not be used in isolation. To ensure the best turn out at your event, consider the following suggestions:
Make it convenient
Ensure as many parents as possible can attend by asking them when they would prefer the session to be offered, Coffee mornings allow parents to attend just after the school run and can save them an extra journey, whilst evening sessions may better accommodate families who work during the day. Some settings also “record” sessions so it is available to parents who could not attend in person.
Invitations and reminders
Send out invitations in advance to all parents/carers via printed letter, text/SMS and/or email. Send out a few reminders leading up to the event, ideally with different content, to encourage parents to attend. A directly addressed letter may help engage parents so why not get the children to write letters to their own parents.
Publicity and posters
Highlight the event in a variety of ways, e.g. setting website, official social media, and/or newsletters. Display posters in public areas, such as reception, playgrounds and notice boards.