‘Vapes, bullying’: Desperate parents seek help to combat new issues kids are facing

Mums and dads have flooded a free parenting program as their kids navigate disturbing new terrain. Here’s why demand has soared.

Desperate parents have flooded a free parenting program as they face issues such as vaping, bullying, and nude selfies.

More than 100,000 mums and dads have signed up to Triple P’s online course — a university-developed, government-funded program — in the past year, wanting help as their children navigate new and unfamiliar terrain.

The course, aimed for parents of children under 12 years, helps to build their kids’ resilience, so when these issues arise in the teenage years, they are confident and prepared.

University of Queensland’s Professor Vanessa Cobham says the uptake has been compounded by a lack of access to psychologists and paediatricians.

Vaping is a major issue for worried parents.

Professor Cobham said 14 per cent of 12 to 17-year-olds admitted to using vapes, with more than half of them under 16.

“But that number is actually a lot higher … and this is not an issue that parents have had to deal with until recently,” she said.

The distribution of nude images among teens, and even tweens, is also leaving parents feeling a “sense of helplessness”.

“They don’t know what to do, do they police their children’s phone, or do they give them the information they need?

“These are new challenges for young people and parents to grapple with, and it’s really difficult.”

Professor Cobham said around 70 per cent of 12-13 year olds had at least one bullying experience in the past 12 months.

Professor Vanessa Cobham is the author of Triple P’s Fear-Less program for children experiencing anxiety. Picture: Supplied

“Twenty per cent of Grade Four students will experience bullying on a weekly basis. That’s all pretty scary.”

Professor Cobham said the effect of issues like vaping, bullying, and nude selfies was increased anxiety in young people, which can lead to behavioural problems.

When Kalchiri Jacobs’ son started school, it followed back-and-forth hospital visits for respiratory issues, resulting in high-level anxiety, and negative behaviour patterns.

The single mum of three was forced to quit her job due to her son’s disruptive behaviour in school, which had a detrimental impact on her mental health.

“I was dropping him off at 8.30am in the morning, then I’d get a call an hour later, requesting I go and pick him up,” Ms Jacobs said.

The parenting program has been a game changer for Kalchiri Jacobs and her children. Picture: Supplied

Desperate for help and facing a two-year wait to see a paediatrician, Ms Jacobs came across the Triple P parenting program. She attended a three-day face-to-face course, which has turned her family’s life around.

“You think you know a lot as a parent, but discovering new strategies was eye opening,” she said.

Her son, now 7, has returned to regular school hours, and she is back working full-time.

“You don’t have to go through it alone. You can get help,” she said, noting she was now training to become a Triple P counsellor herself.

Psychotherapist Julie Sweet said she’d seen a “significant” increase in parents reaching out for help.

“I’m mostly seeing teens struggling with peers, vaping, access to porn and sharing nude selfies,” she said.

Ms Sweet said when parents were faced with these types of matters, they needed to up skill, so increased rates of help-seeking was a positive thing.

“I find this indicative of parents paying attention and accessing support when feeling overwhelmed or stuck, which is refreshing and proactive.”

With lengthy waiting lists for face-to-face care, Professor Cobham said program’s like Triple P’s were critical.

“Access to a free online evidence-based parenting program is such a sensible decision.

“Let’s keep that going, let’s get parents and kids the help that they need.”

Originally published as ‘Vapes, bullying’: Desperate parents seek help to combat new issues kids are facing