In an open letter to her 13- and 15-year-old sons in Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper, columnist Wendy Tuohy offered them some parental advice:
- You know that what goes online stays online for life, but consider what you post on other people’s sites, too. Report cyber-bullying, even if it’s “just a joke”.
- Figures from the Murdoch Children’s Research Centre show that 60% of children drink alcohol by Year 9. Please resist the peer pressure to drink heavily.
- If you see a girl who’s had too much to drink, don’t be the one taking advantage of her, or standing by while others do. Be the one taking a stand.
- If you feel down, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Depression can strike anyone. It happens to other boys, too. Playing sport helps! And talk to us, your parents.
- You will make mistakes. Realise that bad actions have negative consequences.
Her last sentence was to beg the boys not to go to Schoolies Week. And if they did go, could the parents come, too?
