Youth worker Jonny Shannon has spoken at more than 370 schools and by far the most common question he gets asked by students is how to make friends and sustain lifelong friendships.
Speaking to the Gazette ahead of school visits in the Blue Mountains, Mr Shannon said students were keen to improve their social skills, and that extended time with friends and family was being interrupted by technology.
“They are being over-stimulated and the brain doesn’t have time to shut down,” he said.
“The first thing they check [in the morning] are their phones and the last thing they check [before bed] are their phones.”
He’ll integrate tips on maintaining friendships into presentations he was to give at Winmalee High School on Monday, and then when addressing students and parents at Blaxland High School on cyber safety, bullying and the digital footprint on Monday, March 26.
Blaxland High principal Nikki Tunica said the presentation would help parents monitor and support their child positively.
“Schools aim to be proactive rather than reactive to issues of bullying, and developing a partnership of shared responsibility increases the likelihood of success in addressing the complex issues that young people, parents and teachers face in regards to the online world,” she said.
All parents are welcome to attend the presentation at 7pm at Blaxland High School, on March 26. Phone 4739 4655 for further details.
