Community Education Programs

Why Community Education Matters

Parents and families need guidance navigating digital challenges, but many don't know where to start. Religious institutions are uniquely positioned to provide education grounded in community values. Digital safety education builds awareness, equips families with practical tools, and creates a support network where parents don't feel alone. This guide helps you plan and deliver effective workshops that make a real difference.

Key Principle: Effective education is practical, judgment-free, and ongoing - not one-time lectures. Focus on empowering families with actionable tools, not overwhelming them with fear.

🎯 Workshop Types & Audiences

Parent Workshop: "Protecting Your Family Online"

Audience: Parents of children ages 5-18

Duration: 90-120 minutes

Format: Presentation + Q&A + hands-on practice

Topics:

Age-appropriate internet introduction
Social media risks and safeguards
Setting up parental controls (demo)
Screen time management strategies
Having "the talk" about pornography
Cyberbullying recognition and response
Creating family media plans

Teen Workshop: "Navigating Digital Life"

Audience: Teens ages 13-18

Duration: 60-90 minutes

Format: Interactive discussion, peer-led activities

Topics:

Social media and mental health
Digital footprint and future consequences
Recognizing predatory behavior online
Cyberbullying - as victim, bully, or bystander
Sexting and legal consequences
Gaming addiction and healthy boundaries
Being an upstander, not a bystander

Children's Workshop: "Being Safe Online"

Audience: Children ages 8-12

Duration: 45-60 minutes

Format: Age-appropriate activities, games, role-play

Topics:

What is the internet? (basics)
Stranger danger online
What information to never share
How to recognize "something's not right"
Who to tell when you see something bad
Being kind online
Simple, memorable rules

Educator/Leader Workshop: "Supporting Families"

Audience: Teachers, youth leaders, counselors

Duration: 90 minutes

Format: Training + resource sharing

Topics:

Recognizing digital safety issues in children
Having conversations about concerns
Resources to share with parents
Creating safe digital environments
Mandatory reporting requirements
Supporting families through crises

📋 Planning Your Workshop

3-4 Months Before

Choose topic and target audience
Select date and time (evenings or weekends work best for parents)
Book venue with A/V equipment
Decide: DIY or bring in expert speaker?
Set budget (if any)

2 Months Before

Confirm speaker (or finalize your own materials)
Create promotional materials (flyers, emails, social media)
Begin promoting to community
Set up registration (estimate attendance)
Order childcare if offering

1 Month Before

Finalize presentation content
Prepare handouts and takeaways
Arrange refreshments if providing
Test all A/V equipment
Send reminder emails to registered attendees

Week of Event

Final promotion push
Confirm speaker and logistics
Print all handouts
Prepare sign-in sheet and name tags
Set up room layout

🎤 Presentation Best Practices

Opening (10 minutes)

Welcome & icebreaker: "Raise your hand if you've felt overwhelmed by technology"
Set tone: This is a judgment-free zone
Establish credibility: Why this matters to our community
Preview agenda: What we'll cover today
Ground rules: Questions welcome, confidentiality respected

Content Delivery (60-90 minutes)

Balance fear with hope: Yes, there are risks. Here's how to manage them.
Use real examples: Stories resonate (but maintain privacy)
Interactive elements: Polls, discussion, Q&A breaks
Practical demos: Show how to actually set up parental controls
Respect diverse tech levels: Some parents are very tech-savvy, others aren't
Cultural sensitivity: Respect various approaches and values

Hands-On Practice (20-30 minutes)

Bring your device stations: Parents practice setting up controls
Helpers circulate to assist
Provide step-by-step handouts
iOS station, Android station, Windows station

Q&A & Closing (15-20 minutes)

Open floor for questions
Provide contact info for follow-up
Distribute resource lists
Announce next event or support group
Feedback survey (QR code or paper)

Pro tip: Record common questions during Q&A to inform future workshops and FAQ documents.

📊 Sample Workshop Outline

"Protecting Your Family Online" - 90-Minute Parent Workshop

Introduction (10 min)

Welcome and icebreaker poll: "What worries you most about kids online?"
Share statistics (but don't fear-monger)
Today's agenda overview

Section 1: Understanding the Digital Landscape (15 min)

What platforms are kids actually using? (Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Discord, Roblox)
What do kids do online? (beyond what parents think)
Why kids don't tell parents about problems
Creating open communication

Section 2: Top Risks & Warning Signs (15 min)

Cyberbullying
Predators and grooming
Inappropriate content
Screen addiction
Mental health impacts
Warning signs to watch for

Section 3: Practical Tools (20 min)

DNS filtering (show setup)
iOS Screen Time (demo)
Android Family Link (demo)
Gaming console parental controls
Which tools for which ages?

BREAK (5 min)

Section 4: The Human Side (15 min)

Having age-appropriate conversations
Talking about pornography (script provided)
Creating family media agreements
Balancing protection with trust
Modeling good behavior

Hands-On Practice (15 min)

Bring your phone/tablet stations
Volunteers help parents set up one control
Take home instruction sheets

Q&A & Resources (10 min)

Open questions
Resource handout distribution
Announce parent support group meetings
Feedback survey

🛠️ Resources & Materials

Essential Handouts to Prepare

Quick Reference Guide: One-pager with top 10 tips
Platform Safety Checklists: Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat settings
Age-Appropriate Guidelines: What access at what age
Conversation Starters: Scripts for difficult talks
Resource List: Websites, books, support groups, local counselors
Family Media Agreement Template: Ready to fill out
Emergency Contacts: Crisis hotlines, reporting resources

Visual Aids

PowerPoint/Google Slides presentation
Live device demos (have backup screenshots if tech fails)
Infographics showing statistics
Comparison charts (filtering options, devices, etc.)
Sample screenshots of concerning content (age-appropriate)

Technology Needed

Projector or large screen
Laptop with HDMI connection
Microphone (for larger groups)
WiFi access (for live demos)
Extension cords and power strips
Sample devices (iPhone, Android, laptop) for demos

👥 Recruiting Speakers & Volunteers

Speaker Options

DIY (You present):
- Pros: Free, tailored to your community
- Cons: Requires preparation time
- Tip: Use this guide and our other resources
Professional Speaker:
- Pros: Expertise, polished presentation
- Cons: $500-2000+ fee
- Search: Digital safety speakers, parenting educators
Local Expert (teacher, counselor, tech professional):
- Pros: Free or low cost, community connection
- Cons: May lack presentation experience
Law Enforcement:
- Many police departments have digital safety officers
- Often present for free
- Brings credibility and real-world examples

Volunteer Roles

Tech helpers: Assist during hands-on sessions (need 3-5 for 50 people)
Greeters: Welcome attendees, hand out materials
Childcare: Watch kids during parent workshop
A/V tech: Manage presentation technology
Registration: Check-in, name tags

📣 Promotion Strategies

How to Fill the Room

Announcements: Weekly services/meetings (4-6 weeks prior)
Email blast: To entire community list
Flyers: Post in building, bathrooms, bulletin boards
Social media: Facebook events, Instagram stories
Word of mouth: Ask leaders to personally invite families
Partner organizations: Schools, youth groups cross-promote
Compelling title: "Protecting Your Kids from Online Predators" gets more attendance than "Internet Safety Workshop"

Sample Promotional Copy

🔄 Ongoing Education (Beyond One Workshop)

Parent Support Groups

Monthly meetups for continued learning and support
Discuss new platforms, share experiences, troubleshoot together
Create WhatsApp/Signal group for quick questions
Less formal than workshops, more community support

Email Newsletter

Monthly digital safety tips
New platform warnings ("Have you heard of BeReal?")
Update on new risks and tools
Success stories from community

Resource Library

Dedicated shelf or website section
Books, printouts, device setup guides
Updated regularly
Accessible during office hours

Annual Refresher Workshops

Technology changes fast - annual updates needed
Advanced topics for those who attended basics
Different audiences each time (parents, then teens, then leaders)

📊 Measuring Success

Immediate Feedback

Post-event survey (paper or digital QR code)
Questions: What was most helpful? What else do you need? Would you recommend this?
Collect contact info for follow-up workshops

Long-Term Impact

Follow-up survey after 3 months: "Did you implement what you learned?"
Track attendance at subsequent workshops
Anecdotal feedback from community
Reduced incidents reported (if tracking)

Signs of Success

Parents approach you with questions (they trust you)
Parents share resources with each other
Teens voluntarily attend workshops
Community conversations shift from fear to empowerment