AS the country celebrates Youth Month this June, it is an opportune time to consider the safety of the youth.
“Safety is a priority and must be top of mind for everyone, particularly teenagers and young adults who are especially vulnerable to crime,” said Charnel Hattingh, national marketing and communications manager at Fidelity ADT.
Incidents of crime at schools around the country are sadly not new and point to the fact that schools in South Africa are becoming more violent and dangerous for both teachers and learners. Last year the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, admitted that the 2018 spate of stabbings and attacks at learning institutions across South Africa was cause for major concern.
“Parents and educators all play a vital role in encouraging communication and clamping down on both substance abuse as well as the carrying of dangerous weapons by students at schools,” she said. She said focus needed to be put on education and skills development, alcohol and drug abuse, peer pressure and gangsterism, among others.
“These are all very relevant issues and we need to see initiatives in regions across the country,” said Hattingh.
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She provides the following advice for Youth Month:
Monitor your child or teenager’s social media feeds to protect them from predators and bullies.
Educate your children about the dangers and risks associated with taking drugs.
Stamp out the carrying of any type of weapon which could cause harm.
Instil an ethos of zero tolerance to violence and drugs.
Encourage free and open communication among your teenagers so they feel empowered to talk out on issues and report abuse.
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