International internet safety presenter visits Central Otago

An Australian specialist in cyberspace child protection is coming to Central Otago to talk to children, parents and teachers about using the internet safely.

Brett Lee, who spent 16 years as a Queensland-based detective in the field of child exploitation, has been invited to the area by ECentral, the ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) cluster for Central Otago teachers.

Sarah Graham, Deputy Principal of Remarkables Primary School in Queenstown and a member of the cluster group’s governance committee, said Mr Lee had been invited to do a series of presentations because there was a noticeable lack of cybersafety awareness and understanding among students.

“During the week Brett’s in Central Otago, he is doing sessions for students from Year 7 up in Cromwell, Alexandra, Roxburgh, Wanaka and Queenstown, as well as working with teachers and parents,” she said.

“The presentations are free, with the parent evenings aimed at those with students Year 7 and upwards, although those with younger students are most welcome to come too.

“Brett delivers very succinct and clear messages about how to be safe when using the internet and how parents can support their children to be cyber savvy.

“The internet is here and it’s here to stay, so we need to teach children how to use it as effectively as we teach them how to use a sharp knife. Banning children from using computers is not the answer. Educating students on how to use it properly is.

“We tend to think Central Otago is a comparatively safe little ‘bubble’. Now that children have increasing access to a range of devices with which they can connect to the outside world, they need to know how to do so safely and wisely.”

All parents from the Wakatipu Basin and Glenorchy are welcome to attend the Queenstown presentation on Thursday June 23 at 7.30pm in the Queenstown Primary School hall.

An hour-long presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.

Further information on Mr Lee and his programmes is available on www.iness.com.au

Brett is presenting to parents and caregivers at:
· Cromwell College on Monday 20th of June in the Auditorium at 7pm
· Mount Aspiring College on Tuesday 21st of June in the Staffroom at 7pm
· Dunstan High School on Wednesday 22nd of June in the Hall at 7.30pm
· Queenstown Primary School on Thursday 23rd of June in the Hall at 7.30pm