The federal government has launched a new campaign, aiming to get parents to talk to their children about consent. The campaign, “Consent can’t wait” will be advertised on television, billboards and social media and will direct parents towards the website, where they can read resources and discussions guides on how to talk about consent with their children.
The website features guides for varying ages that prompt parents into conversations about consent for an array of situations as well as a focus on the digital world.
Professor in Education in the Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities and Director of Early Start Research at the University of Wollongong, Lisa Kervin says that it is important that children understand their digital footprint.
“We work to have conversations with children and their adults around all things to do with the rights of the child.
“We make sure that children have the opportunity to provide consent for images of themselves to be shared in those different platforms,” Professor Kervin says.
Research commissioned by the government found that 3 in 4 Australians agree that consent is a very important topic.
University student, Michael Boustani says that the government is taking the right steps into educating children about consent.
“I think it’s a good thing that the government is giving ways and prompts to try and properly educate,” Mr Boustani says.
The campaign is available by visiting www.consent.gov.au and will run until May 2025.