Young people are bombarded with hyper-sexualised messages and images in media, advertising and pop culture. They are increasingly socialised by social media and exposure to online pornography.
Drawing from global research and first-person accounts of girls, Melinda will explore how exposure to harmful online content is contributing to a distorted view of bodies, relationships and sexuality.
Students will critically evaluate how these messages harm their view of themselves, their bodies and their relationships and negatively impact their physical, emotional, spiritual and social development.
Girls will have the opportunity to clarify their values, understand how they can enforce boundaries and resist harmful cultural forces especially online.
Presentation includes facilitated workshop
In co-ed settings, Melinda is joined by male co-presenter Dr Marshall Ballantine-Jones, bio below.
Dr Marshall Ballantine-Jones specialises in online sexualisation education, bringing over 25 years of experience working with children, youth, and families.
He is a dynamic communicator whose skills as a speaker, writer, trainer, and consultant are highly sought after.
As the CEO of DigiHelp Publishing, Marshall leads the development of school-based programs addressing online behaviour challenges.
Marshall earned his PhD through the Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health at Sydney University’s Medicine Faculty, focusing on effective education solutions to the negative impacts of adolescent exposure to pornography and social media as well as addressing compulsive gaming.
In addition, he holds degrees in Political and Social Thought, Economics, Business Systems, and Theology. Marshall’s dedication to enhancing online safety education has established him as a respected and influential authority in his field.
Melinda is an author, speaker, media commentator, and advocate for young people. She is best known for her work addressing sexualisation, objectification, harms of pornography, sexual exploitation, trafficking and violence against women.
