Media Release: Cyber-bullying Bigger Fear for Parents than Binge Drinking

Monday, 11 May 2009 22:36

The prospect of their child becoming a victim of bullying is now the top fear among Australian parents, new research released today says. Parenting organisation Generation Next conducted a national survey of the parents of more than 500 children last month. It found that six-in-ten parents nominate bullying as their biggest concern, ahead of their children becoming a victim of crime (46 percent) or performing poorly at school (44 percent).

“Online bullying is part of this with about a third expressing that as a specific worry,” says Generation Next founder, Sydney GP and father Dr Ramesh Manocha.

“It’s far more of a worry than young people taking drugs which scored relatively lowly at just 37 percent or underage drinking (33 percent).

“We do have to ask the question whether parents are underestimating the power and reach of cyber-bullying.

“It’s far more intrusive and relentless than playground harassment and has the potential to do lasting damage to a young person’s psyche.”

Dr Manocha said bullying had a high public profile among young people due to Government campaigns to minimise harassment.

Generation Next is rolling out a series of parenting seminars and has an association with Kids Helpline, Australia's only free, confidential and anonymous, 24-hour telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.

The first seminar is scheduled for University of NSW's Clancy Auditorium in Kensington on May 23 and other supporters are anti-depression initiative beyondblue, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation headspace, Fairfax Radio Network and Australia’s second largest telecommunications provider, Optus.

Kids Helpline has worked with Optus to develop the www.talktoyourkids.com.au website aimed at parents which includes a range of practical and straightforward information, tools and tips to help parents better understand their childrens world.

In 2007, Kids Helpline counselors took 2,352 calls about bullying. The majority were from children aged under 15 years. Research also shows that boys are more likely to report an issue than girls.

“Generation Next has grown from my own experiences as a GP, parent and educator and gives families (and people working with youngsters) affordable access to internationally-renowned experts in town hall settings with question and answer sessions accompanying presentations,” Dr Manocha said.

“These are the top experts in Australian in their fields and we’re bringing them to big venues in capital cities for an affordable price.”

Adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, GP Dr Sally Cockburn, Kids free 2 B Kids anti-sexualisation campaigner Julie Gale, drugs and alcohol expert Paul Dillon, cybersafety expert Susan McLean and a specialist from Kids Helpline are on the speaking panel. Tickets for all Generation Next seminars are $45 and available through Ticketek on 132-849 or online at www.gennextseminars.com

Generation Next gives families (and people working with youngsters) affordable access to internationally-renowned experts in town hall settings with question and answer sessions accompanying presentations. Generation Next is run by Healthed Pty Ltd, a Sydney company working in event management and health-related educational meetings since 2002. A proportion of any profits will be directed to child and adolescent health research and the series is being rolled out with a view to it being self-sustaining and ongoing. The Generation Next Parental Research Study was an online panel survey of 257 Australian parents representing 517 children conducted nationally by independent researchers StollzNow Research in March 2009.

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