In an era where the digital landscape shapes the minds of our youth, the insights of experts like award-winning author Madonna King reveal a pressing need for digital literacy and the need to work as a community to combat rising mental health issues and cyber threats.
Over the last few weeks, I have spoken to several experts in the field of cyber safety, including a former Australian Federal Police (AFP) task force leader, about the need to bind together as a community to assist our youth in navigating this challenging digital terrain. In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, we must meet our youth with empathy, and acknowledge that they are navigating through a digital world full of emerging cyber threats they did not create, but must learn to thrive in.
Internationally, adolescents are growing up in an age where they are faced with complex, unprecedented challenges. As a community we must foster opportunities to teach digital literacy skills so that we can empower them with the knowledge to confidently and safely engage with the various digital platforms in a responsible, ethical and critical manner.
Alarmingly, recent data from the Pew Research Centre (PEW) revealed that 48% of teens say that social media harms people their age, up from 32% in 2022. This data reveals that our youth know the detrimental impact of social media but are calling out for guidance for both the use and management of these mediums. They need our help - this is our call to action as a community.
At our parent In Conversation evening on Wednesday 7 May, Madonna King will provide insight into how we can protect our kids. She will reveal the current and emerging cyber threats that are rapidly evolving, and provide countless research backed evidence supported methodologies that we can use to support the digital literacy and online safety of our adolescents. I have known Madonna for some time now, and I believe she is one of the most captivating human beings I have ever met. However, the quality I admire the most is that she genuinely cares for our youth, and I know she will be coming in to make a difference.
On Friday 9 May, following our In Conversation evening, Madonna King will return, teaming up with international guest speaker and youth advocate Glen Gerreyn to launch the 2025 Women of Valour and Men of Honour programmes. These bespoke Years 7-9 programmes have been created using current data from our community, allowing us to address the unique needs of our Somerset students. This year, Madonna and Glen will be joined by Hockeyroos player Rosie Malone and Olympic Gold Medallist Ash Callus. All are excited to work with our students to ensure they are equipped for the ever-changing and dynamic 21st century landscape. More information will be available closer to the date.
Finally, if you have not already done so, I recommend reading Madonna King’s Saving Our Kids.
I look forward to seeing you at the Madonna King In Conversation evening next week.
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