A new taskforce has suggested parents avoid jumping in to solve their children’s problems for them.
Psychologist and director of the Parenting and Family Support Centre Matthew Sanders said parents should be modeling useful and productive ways of coping with stressful situations instead.
He also encouraged parents to give children the confidence to be independent, including when confronting peers who they believe are excluding or bullying them.
Dolly Everett (pictured) was the subject of relentless bullying that led to her taking her own life
The University of Queensland’s Parenting and Family Support Centre has submitted a plan to the Premier’s taskforce on cyber-bullying that explicitly offers alternatives to parent protection.
The proposal encourages parents to step up and educate their children on bullying, rather than expecting the child’s school to teach them all there is to know.
‘Until recently, the role of parents to supplement efforts of schools in protecting students against victimisation has been mainly overlooked,’ The Courier Mail reported.
The Centre has implemented a Triple P Resilience program, and offers great success.
It aims to work with both parents and children who are victims of bullying and to build confidence and understanding in order to make those children less susceptible or vulnerable to all forms of bullying.
It holds particular focus on schoolyard and cyber-bullying.
![14-year-old Jessica Tolhurst was also the victim of bullying, and took her own life as a result](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/09/17/4D152ECF00000578-5824651-14_year_old_Jessica_Tolhurst_was_also_the_victim_of_bullying_and-a-1_1528560698142.jpg)
14-year-old Jessica Tolhurst was also the victim of bullying, and took her own life as a result
According to the submission, families who were involved in the rsilience program saw immense improvement in their children.
Children who participated were less likely to be victims, were more likely to be accepted by peers and tended to enjoy school.
Dr Sanders said the primary element of the program was to teach parents to avoid getting involved prematurely in their children’s problems.
‘I think there are a lot of parents of kids who are bullied who are worried about their children, this can lead them to become overprotective and lead them to step in and deal with the issue themselves, and this is not a long-term solution,’ he said.
Annastacia Palaszczuk has put together a 14 member taskforce, including people of different back grounds and opinions.
![Annastacia Palaszczuk (left) has appointed journalist Madonna King (centre) as the chair of the Queensland Anti-Bullying Task Force](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/09/17/4D152EF400000578-5824651-Annastacia_Palaszczuk_left_has_appointed_journalist_Madonna_King-a-2_1528560698231.jpg)
Annastacia Palaszczuk (left) has appointed journalist Madonna King (centre) as the chair of the Queensland Anti-Bullying Task Force
It will tackle the task of detailing advice and coordination on steps the Queensland Government should be taking in order to minimise cyberbullying.
The premier said author and journalist Madonna King will chair the Queensland Anti-Bullying Task Force.
The findings of the taskforce is due by 31st August 2018.
So far, it has held 13 public forums to develop a community insight, and has sought opinions of young people, staff at schools and parents.
It has also received over 300 submissions from members of the public, detailing an array of tips, opinions and personal experiences.
The final meeting of the taskforce will take place in Mt Isa on the 14th of June from 6pm until 7:30pm.
If you or someone you know needs help, call Kids’ Help Line on 1800 55 1800, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636