Social media workshop for parents attracts a packed crowd in New Westminster

A workshop for parents to learn about the risks inherent with their kids'social media and online livesdrew a sold-out crowd in New Westminster on Thursday night.

Theseminar was put on at the Justice Institute of B.C. by New Westminster police, along with school and parents groups.

"Ask yourself: what would my adolescence, my youth, my adulthood look like if I could Google it today," social media expert Jesse Miller asked the eager crowd.

"Right there you stop and say, 'Thank goodness theinternetdid not exist.'"

• Social media fads fuel risky behaviour
• Amanda Todd's mom advises parents to get internet savvy
• Most kids' apps, websites collect and share personal information

One of Miller's keypieces ofadvice to parents was to join their kids on social media and get involved.

"If you're interested in trying to bypass the friend influence, one of the most important things I can think of when it comes to talking to your kids is actually parent involvement," he said.

"Have a family accounta family Facebook account, a family Instagram."

Learning from tragic death

Carol Todd, the mother of B.C.cyberbullyingvictim Amanda Todd, also spoke at the workshop. Shetriedto share the lessons she learned from her daughter's tragic death.

"The history of Amanda was she was on the internet at 12 years old," she said."She was making singing videosshe loved to sing."

A question and answer period followed the presentations; manyparents stayed late, hungry to learn as much as they could.