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Council helps parents to manage the Net

The Internet is a powerful tool that allows unprecedented access to the world, information and, more significantly, to people. To help families better understand the Internet and associated security issues, Victoria's Wyndham City Council ran a forum for parents in March. It aimed to assist parents in developing strategies for managing Internet usage in the home.

Wyndham Mayor, Councillor Shane Bourke, said one of the common concerns for parents and young people is the type of people who also use the Internet and the level of anonymity the internet provides them.

"Many parents are not familiar with the Internet and have concerns about their family's safety online, the type of sites their children visit and what they may be exposed to in chat rooms," Councillor Bourke said. "Of particular concern to parents is the vulnerability of their children to undesirable people who pose as harmless chat room friends. Young people have concerns that parents may prohibit Internet use and therefore disconnect them from their internet friends.

"The Internet forum will help families understand the safety and security issues associated with the Internet and develop strategies to address these concerns while maintaining internet use in the home."

Speakers included Werribee Police Youth Resource Officer, Ross Whittingham; youth internet safety specialist and Doncaster Police Youth Resource Officer, Susan McLean; representatives from Wyndham City Council Information Technology Unit, Anglicare Werribee and the Wyndham Youth Taskforce.

The forum, conducted in the evening, was free of charge.

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