The Wanaka Alcohol Group (WAG) is hosting a presentation to advise parents and caregivers about the dangers that go hand-in-hand with allowing children to use the internet.

The ‘Our Kids Online’ talk this Friday (June 18) will explore the risks young people are facing online, covering pornography, predators, social media access and more, and it will also provide practical solutions to keeping young people safe online.

Hosting the talk are parents Rob and Zareen Sheikh-Cope who spent 18 months travelling around Australia, the USA and New Zealand researching and talking to experts in order to learn about the world of online predators.

National research by Netsafe and the Office of Film and Literature shows 67 per cent of teens have seen pornography, 40 per cent are engaging with strangers online, and 72 per cent have seen non-consensual activity online.

“We speak to parents and caregivers about predators; we explain how your child could be being trafficked out of their bedroom and you have no idea,” Zareen told the Wanaka App.

“A predator can pretend to be a young boy or girl and they can contact your child. Evidence shows that every predator has roughly 250 victims. They can have nude pictures from their victims and they share those pictures. Often children then become too ashamed or overwhelmed to have the conversation with anyone and the child becomes stuck.”

Zareen said the talk was relevant to parents of children of all ages, as even toddlers watching Peppa Pig videos on YouTube have been exposed to ‘The Momo Challenge’ - a new online game which sees a puppet-like figure with wide, deep-set eyes and a terrifying smile encouraging children to self-harm.

Rob and Zareen come highly recommended from schools and community groups throughout New Zealand. 

“The biggest thing is that we’re parents talking to other parents so we don’t come from a place of judgement. We get it. We are the first generation of parents dealing with these issues,” Zareen said.

WAG event coordinator Bronwyn Coers said WAG brought the talk to Wanaka because: “WAG really looks at any initiatives that help to create and enable children to have healthier lifestyles and make better choices in life.”

“This includes sub topics, like exposure to social media, that are associated with youth and alcohol and their behaviours.”

Whether you are a parent, whanau member, educator, or a health provider, the evening will offer something valuable, Bronwyn said.

The talk is being hosted by WAG in partnership with Mount Aspiring College, Kahu Youth, Community Networks, and Queenstown Lakes District Council. 

It will take place this Friday (June 18) at 7pm at the Lake Wānaka Centre. Tickets can be purchased for $15 on the Eventfinda website.

If cost is a barrier, please contact Community Networks. Refreshments will also be provided.

PHOTO: Supplied