By Pam Starling

University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi Communiversity program is offering a free course for parents and others who are interested in understanding more about keeping their children, grandchildren or students safe on social media.

“We have had a lot of people asking questions about the different social media platforms and how their children and teens can be affected,” said Vanessa Cook, assistant director of marketing for the UM Division of Outreach and Continuing Education.

“In this class, we will share with you some strategies for deterring bullies and internet predators, as well as suggestions on how to educate children and monitor the online activity of minors.”

Cook’s class “Social Media: Is Your Child Safe?” is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 in Lamar Hall, Room 207. The course is free, but participants are asked to register to reserve their spot.

UM’s crime prevention coordinator, Jeff Kellum, will offer a new course this semester on “Personal Safety” to share intellectual and physical components for staying safe. The class will meet in Lamar Hall, Room 207 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 19, and the cost is $10.

Participants will discover the early warning signs of danger, ways to use their voices and body language to prevent harm, and simple, effective physical skills to disable an attacker long enough to escape. Individuals and families are invited to attend.

If your teenager would like to help care for other children, the “Safe Sitter Essentials for Kids Ages 11-14” course will prepare them with lifesaving skills and the confidence to handle any situation that may arise while babysitting.

“This course will help future babysitters to feel comfortable and prepared in a variety of situations that may occur when caring for a child,” said Mary Leach, UM director of non-credit programming and Safe Sitter course instructor.

The workshop is slated for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 8 in the Insight Park HR Training Room. The fee is $65.

“CPR and First-Aid Training” is one of Communiversity’s most popular classes. New parents, health care assistants, childcare workers, church staffs, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, and entire university departments have learned to save lives by enrolling in this course.

“CPR and First-Aid Training” will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 12 in the Insight Park HR Training Room. The cost is $75, which includes materials and American Red Cross Certification.

“The classes in this series include some of our most popular offerings that community members continue to recommend to their friends and family,” said Sandra Sulton, UM Communiversity coordinator.

To find out more about these and the full fall slate of Communiversity classes, visit http://www.olemiss.edu/communiversity.