Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools will be welcoming social networking and online safety expert, Paul Davis to Red Deer on Monday, September 12 to speak with middle school parents and students. The presentation o run from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at St. Joseph High School and is free to attend. Attendees are encouraged to register on Eventbrite

Mr. Davis brings over 30 years of IT knowledge and expertise to his presentations. He has presented to over 640,000 students from grades 4-12 across North America, focusing on social media, sexting/child pornography, digital trails, smartphones, online security and more. He will cover current topics, technologies and trends in his presentations to students and parents with cyberbullying tying into the entire presentation.

“Through my experience as a principal working with young adults, I see the importance of empowering students and parents when it comes to social media, helping them learn how to be safe and set limits with their use. The risks that come with smartphones, technology and social media, continue to increase and in the school setting we see this everyday. I am excited to hear Paul's message so we can continue to learn and grow together as a community, ensuring our students are safe and we as a community know how to protect them,” says St. Francis of Assisi Middle School Principal Gary Gylander.

Rick and Cindy More of the Smiles Thru Lindsey Foundation know all too well the importance of keeping youth safe online.

“On September 20, 2015 our daughter Lindsey lost her battle with depression. A disease she hid from us through high school. When we searched for answers, one of our conclusions attributed social media as a contributor to her depression. As parents, it is imperative we understand the dangers that surround our children around social media and the importance of our involvement. Paul Davis will open your eyes to a tech world that is not totally understood. We pray no parent experiences the loss we endure. Thank you to all that attend this presentation,” say the Mores. 

Mr. Davis’ presentations are targeted so that the audience leaves with a wealth of knowledge and empowerment for their respective age level. He will be speaking to approximately 2,700 students in grades 6-9 during two, daytime sessions on September 12. 

For more information on Mr. Davis, visit https://socialnetworkingsafety.net/.