Any 40 year old parent will tell you how grateful they are that they grew up in an age without smartphones and facebook. Our biggest threats were understanding stranger danger and never, ever getting into the spooky white van that cruised the cul-de-sacs of our youth.
Personal safety was a 5 minute discussion with our parents and a note tucked into our pocket when we went into crowds. The boundaries of our youth were obvious and the mistakes that we made as we matured usually had shorter term repercussions with our community.
“As a leader in violence prevention programs for children and youth we know all too well the issues facing our communities when it comes to bullying. Shaw has been a great supporter of our award- winning WITS Program and we are excited to partner with them on the #PinkShirtPromise campaign to engage Canadians in lending their voice and support to end bullying.”
Dorian Brown, Executive Director, Rock Solid Foundation
These days my kids are already more adept at being online than I am, and there is a new “social” platform popping up every week. Not only is it difficult to understand what the newest trend in online communication is, it is almost impossible to keep up with our kids. These social communities are the watering holes for youth these days, each one carrying unique risks and challenges that kids need to navigate.
We can’t parent like our parents did, the internet changed all that. Being a parent is no longer worrying about your kids on playdates or at school, it is attempting to manage and understand every moment of their digital life.
“Our research shows that three-quarters of Canadian students say it’s important to speak out against bullying, racism and sexism online. Unfortunately, almost half of them don’t feel that it’s their place to do so, and older kids are more likely than younger ones to feel this way. Shaw’s #PinkShirtPromise is a vital step in showing kids that they have a right to safe and respectful online spaces and the power to create them.”
Cathy Wing, Co-Executive Director, MediaSmarts
I was never the kind of kid that “fit in” in school. I was the tallest in the class (always in the back row on picture day) and about 100lbs soaking wet. I had to wear elastic waistband pants until my late teens as they didn’t make jeans that long and narrow. I was a tomboy, and class clown and part of the Jr. Alderman club. Yes, I experienced my moments and instances of “bullying” but I could always escape it. I could come home from school, I could dive into the pool (my second home) and find comfort in the time away from my bullies while I focussed on other things to rebuild the confidence they may have crumbled that day.
But these days, there is no escape for our kids. What happens at school gets shared online, which follows them home, to sports and activities. Their “digital personality” never stops, and it is almost impossible to escape it.
As a parent I feel it is vital for us to learn to understand what our kids are doing online, their experiences and interactions and to set parenting boundaries for them, just as our parents did when we wanted to walk to the corner store with a friend. Creating the conversations around digital behaviour and online bullying is our first step, and then being vigilant in reminding them of these expectations is required.
“Bullying is destructive, emotionally damaging, and, in some cases, deadly, and no child should have to suffer from its harmful and negative effects,” said Brad Shaw, Chief Executive Officer, Shaw Communications Inc. “Shaw’s #PinkShirtPromise campaign is a powerful initiative that gives us the ability to work closely with our partners to create safer environments for children and youth – whether at school, at home, or online.”
Starting today, Shaw is asking Canadians to work toward ending bullying by sharing their personal pledges on social media using #PinkShirtPromise. Participants can also post a photo of their pinky or a photo of themselves making a pinky promise with a friend or family member using #PinkyPromise, and then nominate three friends to do the same to promote accountability and maintain commitment to the promise.
Everyone who participates in the campaign will be entered for a chance to win an ET Canada Experience, which includes flights for two to Toronto and two nights hotel accommodation, and a $1,500 dollar shopping spree at a participating shopping centre.
Shaw’s #PinkShirtPromise campaign starts on Safer Internet Day, which is supported by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and encourages people to raise awareness about the importance of online safety by tweeting and posting using the hashtags #SID2016 and #Up2Us.
Use this #PinkShirtPromise challenge to start the discussion with our kids about safer internet habits and together set boundaries that allow them to explore this platform, and build a community, without putting themselves at risk.
I believe that parenting is a joint effort, especially in this digital age. We need to learn along with our children, and be able to adapt and change as the world evolves around us. Don’t get left behind as your children explore the internet alone. Work with them to make it a safe and comfortable place for them to experience, and help them create the boundaries and expectations of how they engage.
Join me in the #PinkShirtPromise and share your pinky promise on social media from now to Pink Shirt Day on Feb 24th.