Talks for Parents & Caregivers - 2025
by Paul Dillon (DARTA)
Description
For talks aimed at parents & caregivers, Paul offers a range of topics to select from. These are most often delivered as part of a whole school community program, but can be tailored and delivered in other contexts.
Teens, parties, alcohol and vapes: What do parents need to know?
During adolescence, teens develop a biological need to be around friends and it is important to provide them with opportunities to socialise with their peers whenever possible. Using the most current data available this presentation will examine the use of alcohol and other drugs by school-based young people. Simple strategies will be provided to help ensure teens are able to interact with friends on a Saturday night and, at the same time, reduce the risk of underage drinking and the potential dangers associated with such behaviour. In addition, up-to-date information will be provided on vaping, particularly in relation to young people. It aims to empower parents with a positive message and assist them in having open and honest family discussions in this complex area.
Alcohol, parties and gatherings: A guide for parents
During adolescence teens develop a biological need to be around friends and research strongly suggests that they should be provided opportunities to socialise with their peers whenever possible. Through the teen years, parties, gatherings and sleepovers will play an important role in many young people’s lives on a Saturday night, with alcohol and underage drinking inevitably becoming part of these events for some. To assist parents make decisions in this area, this presentation will highlight the benefits and the risks associated with these events. Some simple tips and strategies will also be provided to help ensure their teens are as safe as possible when they socialise with friends on a Saturday night.
‘Risk taking’ – why do teens do the things they do? What can parents do to keep them as safe as possible?
Adolescence is a risky time. As a teen matures and becomes more independent, they experience dramatic hormonal changes, increasing social and peer pressure and have greater access to alcohol and other drugs. This presentation will briefly examine the history of ‘teenagers’, rebellion and the different ‘temptations’ that have existed over time. Using the latest research on the developing brain, it will also discuss why young people make the decisions they do during this time. Sleepovers, parties and gatherings provide teens with valuable opportunities to develop important socialising skills but are not ‘risk-free’. Some practical strategies and tips for parents considering allowing their teen to attend such events to help ensure they are as safe as possible.
Relevant Links
DARTA provides samples of some of Paul's presentations here.
Paul maintains a blog through which parents & caregivers can stay up to date and have questions answered here, and one directed at young people here.
Teens, parties, alcohol and vapes: What do parents need to know?
During adolescence, teens develop a biological need to be around friends and it is important to provide them with opportunities to socialise with their peers whenever possible. Using the most current data available this presentation will examine the use of alcohol and other drugs by school-based young people. Simple strategies will be provided to help ensure teens are able to interact with friends on a Saturday night and, at the same time, reduce the risk of underage drinking and the potential dangers associated with such behaviour. In addition, up-to-date information will be provided on vaping, particularly in relation to young people. It aims to empower parents with a positive message and assist them in having open and honest family discussions in this complex area.
Alcohol, parties and gatherings: A guide for parents
During adolescence teens develop a biological need to be around friends and research strongly suggests that they should be provided opportunities to socialise with their peers whenever possible. Through the teen years, parties, gatherings and sleepovers will play an important role in many young people’s lives on a Saturday night, with alcohol and underage drinking inevitably becoming part of these events for some. To assist parents make decisions in this area, this presentation will highlight the benefits and the risks associated with these events. Some simple tips and strategies will also be provided to help ensure their teens are as safe as possible when they socialise with friends on a Saturday night.
‘Risk taking’ – why do teens do the things they do? What can parents do to keep them as safe as possible?
Adolescence is a risky time. As a teen matures and becomes more independent, they experience dramatic hormonal changes, increasing social and peer pressure and have greater access to alcohol and other drugs. This presentation will briefly examine the history of ‘teenagers’, rebellion and the different ‘temptations’ that have existed over time. Using the latest research on the developing brain, it will also discuss why young people make the decisions they do during this time. Sleepovers, parties and gatherings provide teens with valuable opportunities to develop important socialising skills but are not ‘risk-free’. Some practical strategies and tips for parents considering allowing their teen to attend such events to help ensure they are as safe as possible.
Relevant Links
DARTA provides samples of some of Paul's presentations here.
Paul maintains a blog through which parents & caregivers can stay up to date and have questions answered here, and one directed at young people here.
Details
Audience
Parents & Caregivers
Duration
60 minutes (Q&A time can run in addition to this if required)
Requirements
Projection (Powerpoint) facilities. Windows PC Laptop (or Apple Mac, with notice). Microphone (lapel mic preferred). Paul’s presentations do not use audio.