Cook County News Herald

Parent’s class looks at ways to help kids steer through the virtual world




As part of the “Hot Potatoes” parenting series, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and Cook County Public Health and Human Services are sponsoring Navigating the Virtual Playground.

This presentation explores the risks students are facing in today’s evermore connected world, and details practical, positive ways that adults can respond. Young people are having to learn to steer their way through a digital world that most adults couldn’t have even imagined as youngsters. The online highway can have some steep learning curves, both for students and for parents. Youth can find themselves in over their heads as technology choices move faster than their developmental abilities. Technology isn’t a bad thing, but young people need help in navigating these powerful tools, so that their empathy and sense of self can also grow and develop.

Jane Straub of the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center will be the presenter. Jane has been working in the violence prevention and intervention field for almost 20 years. She has had the opportunity to work with victims/survivors of all ages and their families, as well as offenders. In addition to providing advocacy and support, Jane is a national trainer on topics such as domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, trafficking, bullying/cyberbullying, reproductive coercion, and the impact of trauma.

The presentation will be Thursday, May 10 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the classroom at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic. There is no cost, but RSVPs are requested by May 8. If you can’t make it in person, you can join in online and participate remotely. Contact Hartley@sawthoothmountainclinic.org by May 8 for to RSVP and for remote access information.



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