Parents take steps to keep teenagers safe at post-exam Schoolies Week celebrations

With more than 50,000 schoolies about to hit the beach, thousands parents are doing their best to keep their kids safe. Here’s how your child can stay safe at their post-exam celebrations.

No underage drinking, no overseas locations and watch out for toolies.

These are some of the rules parents are issuing ahead of the 2018 schoolies post-exam celebrations.

With more than 50,000 schoolies about to hit the Gold Coast, Byron Bay and Victorian beaches, parents are doing their best to keep their kids safe.

DRUG ARRESTS AHEAD OF QLD SCHOOLIES WEEK

SCHOOLIES URGED TO GET MENINGOCOCCAL B JAB

POLICE, RACQ CALL FOR SCHOOLIES TO LOOK OUT FOR THEIR SAFETY

“Parents are under a lot of pressure to allow their kids to go because schoolies is so popular,” executive director of raisingchildren.net.au, Assoc­iate Professor Julie Green said.

“The most common concern is safety.

“There’s not always positive coverage so most parents are keen to work out ways their children will be safe but still enjoy themselves.

Tom Gibson, Will Gillot and Alex Maclean, all 18 are heading to Byron Bay for Schoolies Week. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“The trend is for more and more kids to go to major venues such as the Gold Coast and Byron Bay, ­although some are choosing more low-key locations with just a few friends.

“Access to underage alco­hol is another issue for parents, given that not all chil­dren can drink legally.”

Brighton mum Beata Koropatwa was confident her son, Tom Gibson, 18, would party safely in Byron Bay with mates Will Gillot and Alex McLean.

“I like the fact that there are safety measures in the hotel and the kids will be all wearing wristbands,” she said.

“I would never let Tom go overseas, (but) schoolies in Australia is an institution and I know other people will keep an eye on them.”

Assoc Prof Green advised parents to keep the lines of communication open.

“An important place to start is to have a clear understanding of what you — and your child’s — expectations are, where they differ and where there might be room for compromise,” she said.

Schoolies Week partying is already underway on the Gold Coast. Picture: John Gass

“It’s important to negotiate clear boundaries from the start — for example, how often will you agree to keep in touch?

“It’s also a good idea to make sure your child knows that if there is an emergency, they can call you for help any time of the day or night.

“But it’s also helpful to talk through potential risky ­situations with your child and how they might handle them.

“For example, what if there is a fight, what if they get stranded and what if their par­ty is crashed by older people?”

Assoc Prof Green said parent concern was understandable, but teenagers looking for new experiences and wanting to be with their peers was normal.

“Sometimes this involves thrillseeking or even risky ­behaviour,” she said.

“But with plenty of communication and planning, schoolies can achieve a balance between fun and safety.”

Schoolies Zoe, Jessica, Georgia, Brooke, Olivia and Georgia didn’t let rain spoil the start to their Schoolies Week at Surfers Paradise. Picture: Tim Marsden

PARENT TIPS FOR A SAFE SCHOOLIES

• Ensure your teen registers as a school-leaver with a schoolies’ organisation or local

council

• Stress the importance to your child of staying with friends and looking out for each other

• Have their accommodation details and the phone details of their friends

• Educate your kids on drink spiking and understanding that alcohol and substance use don’t mix with swimming, heights and arguments

• Tell your teen to have a phone with them at all times.

— Source: raisingchildren.net.au

[e-mail]