On April 11, parents are invited to a free information education session on wise internet and smartphone usage.

Nancy Dutchik, Mitford School, Administrator says the free workshop sponsored by Telus will be delivered through the community education service.

"It highlights helping parents learning to live with the digital society. Keeping children safe in this fast paced digital world and helping understand our children's activities online and to help them know what is safe and what is not safe.

There will be a whole bunch of tips for parents, says Dutchik, who says learning to appropriately role model for kids is key as well.

"We have to model behaviours we want our kids to have; sometimes we are asking kids to do things we are not willing to do ourselves, and that is something that is really important."

For cell phone usage in schools, Dutchik shares parameters are set by each school and even vary teacher by teacher.

"While we value technology there is a time and place for it; in our school we ask students to leave their cell phones in their lockers during class time and then they are free to use them at recess and noon hour. We would rather our kids use their laptops which they have online access to all their learning materials 24-7, textbooks are online... basically everything you can imagine from their google classroom website, and that's a good thing."

Dutchik adds online social media bullying is a big, growing concern and while it may not occur during school hours, if it affects the student, it affects the school. Getting parents to understand what their child is up to online and with their smartphone, is the first step.

Next Tuesday's event will be held at Mitford School from 6:30-7:30 pm, you must register for the free night and you can do so here.