Respect for human dignity
Respect for the dignity of the human person is a principle of Catholic Social Teaching and the basis of right and respectful relationships.
As parents and carers of young people, we want children and young people to have positive experiences, healthy relationships and opportunities to learn. We want them to respect others and respect themselves. We want children to be able to use the internet in a safe and secure way.
Curiosity is part of children’s development. Children may be accidentally exposed to images on the internet that are not age appropriate or in keeping with family values. They may be invited to provide inappropriate images to "online friends"
Depending on your own upbringing, it may be difficult to have conversations with your children about these topics. The key message from many sources of parenting research is the child will be better off if they have a trusted adult they can speak with.
We have collated information from several reputable and reliable sources that may assist you to discuss these issues with children in your care.
The hard-to-have conversations
Plan and prepare
- Work out what you want to say and how you are going to say it
Gather information
- Below are some links to websites, videos, podcasts and fact sheets
Find the right time and right place
- A place where you both will be comfortable and can speak privately without being interrupted or overheard
- A car trip, walk in the park, baking cakes, shooting basket ball hoops, or gardening
Helpful conversation starters
- ‘I want to talk with you about one of those awkward topics. Is that OK?’ (Children rarely say ‘no’, but if they do, respect that, and then set up a time where you can talk.)
If the child reveals things that are disturbing, some phrases you could use are
- ‘I understand what you're saying, and I'm glad you came to me about this. You're not going to get into trouble, but we need to trust each other, fix this and move forward.'
- ‘You might not want to tell me all the detail, but if we can talk honestly about what's happened I promise I will listen and stay calm. No matter what happens, we can do this and I love you.’
- "Just like a super hero movie, what you have seen is not real - they are paid actors."