We the Defenders – Parent Workshop

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Unfortunately, there is no easy way to protect children online… but it starts with what brought you here. No child dreams about being sexually molested from an internet stranger. They don’t go to bed at night thinking: “Is this tomorrow gonna be day that I’m sextorted?” But things like this might keep you up at night. This is why we developed We the Defenders.

Sample from the workshop

Ready to get started?

  • Click the red button to fill out the signup form. 
  • Make a donation (Below) 
  • After both of those are done, we will be in contact and we will work on scheduling you for the start of the next available workshop

FAQ

Sign up here
When does the course run? Typically in the evenings, one night per week, one session at a time.  One session is 6 weeks in duration (one hour per week) and the next session will be launched when there are 10 parents (whose schedules align) signed up for that cohort.

Why do I have to attend on Zoom? The course is interactive and social, it allows for sharing and making good connections. It’s delivered in a group with others to help build your support network and understand the impacts of online harms from your own peers. All of the content (6+ hours) is visual and demands attention. Learning about online safety for your child is not something to do periodically or in spurts while you’re doing 10 other things. If you want to get serious about protecting your child online, you will need to set aside time and dedicate energy to learning about it.

Is there homework? Absolutely! Each week after you complete the course, you will be sent a PDF document which will contain lessons from that week. There may be things to study or activities to do with your child throughout the week until the next class.

Why do I have to pay? Technically, you can donate anything to attend the classes. One of the reasons for the fee is to make sure that there are legitimate people signing up for the course and to make sure that they take it seriously. We want you to be invested in protecting your child’s future. If you pay some money to take a course, you’re likely going to finish it. The donations will also go to fund other DEFEND programs to protect other people online.
 

What will I learn? Each week there will be a variety of subjects covered but an overarching theme. Week 1 the theme is: “Social media literacy”  – Week 2’s theme is “The effect of media on the body” etc It will all end with playing a fun interactive game show: “Your child is in Jeopardy” which will test what you’ve learned throughout the workshop. 

Will I be able to communicate with other parents afterwards? If you wish! We will have a message board for you to send messages to other parents who are taking the course in the future after you, but the relationships that you develop during the course are going to be so integral to creating a powerful support network around you to help with your journey of parenting kids that are online. 

Why is there homework? At the end of each week if you are attending, you will receive a workbook from that week’s topics and it will contain fun or educational activities for you to reinforce the lessons that you’re learning in the course.

Do I need to have a child to attend? This course is aimed at parents who have children. Perhaps you might be expecting your first child and this will be a good opportunity to start looking at educating yourself well before they are on the Internet. While we cannot prevent someone from attending we can enforce participation in the group during each session.
 
How is the course presented? The course will have a presenter live with a group of parents on Zoom. There is a rich multimedia experience throughout each class. After each class, you’ll be given a PDF document for that week’s workbook.

How do I sign up? Click on the red button above that says “Sign up here” after that (or before) – click below where it says “Donate” and then make a donation. After both the sign up form and the donation are completed, you will be contacted by someone on our team to try and schedule you into the next available cohort. If a workshop just started, the earliest cohort you’ll join will be about 6-8 weeks into the future and we will let you know. 

How much do I have to donate? Most people donate $5-10 to attend the course but give what you can. There’s no minimum.

Make a donation to continue with signup

Topics covered in the 6 week course:

Week 1: Understanding Online Risks and Critical Thinking

  1. Group discussion: Parents share knowledge and concerns about online risks.

  2. Overview of different types of online risks.

  3. Developing critical thinking skills.

  4. Spotting misinformation and fake news.

  5. Introduction to AI’s role in deciphering online information.

Week 2: The Impact of Technology on Child Well-being

  1. Effects of online media on the brain and emotional well-being.

  2. Building digital resilience in children.

  3. Radicalization risks: The Elliot Rodger story.

  4. Technology’s role in everyday life and dependency.

Week 3: Social Media and Privacy Risks

  1. The effects of advertising on children.

  2. Risks for child social media influencers and live streaming.

  3. Understanding digital footprints and privacy concerns.

  4. Case study: Ava Majury—privacy and safety risks of online fame.

Week 4: Privacy and Exploitation Prevention

  1. Privacy risks and dark web awareness.

  2. Grooming and other sexual exploitation issues.

  3. Preventing sextortion: The Amanda Todd story

  4. Discussion with a police officer about online predators

Week 5: Online Harassment and Security

  1. Cyberbullying and trolling.

  2. Phishing scams and how to avoid them.

  3. Privacy invasion and its implications.

  4. Radicalization and extremism threats.

Week 6: Gaming Risks, Monitoring, and Healthy Digital Habits

  1. Parental monitoring tools and building trust 

  2. Gaming experiences and risks 

  3. Teen perspectives 

  4. Risky challenges 

  5. Digital distortion and self-esteem

  6. Positive digital citizenship

Educate. Advocate. Protect.