Testimonials

Find out what others have said about our work:

Ms Smart you have outdone yourself with the phrase! dotard wowserism - Love it! Add this to ‘bourgeois sensibilities’, and ‘moral atavist’ – the response I often get from myriad crazies any time I stand up against the exploitation of young people! (Dr Michael Carr-Gregg on Collett's article "Safe sexting apps and Moral Panics")

Great article! Safe setting is a misnomer. It simply does not exist. How about helping kids make good decisions with all the consequences presented rather then assume all kids want to be pressured to conform to highly sexualised and ILLEGAL behaviour. (Susan McLean, Policewoman, Cybersafety Solutions on Collett's article "Safe sexting apps and Moral Panics")

"Overall, this was one of the best-attended and most positively responded to sessions we have ever presented. The feedback was excellent - Almost unanimously people agreed that the pace, presentation, variety of ways information was communicated, together with the PowerPoint's and times of discussion made for an excellent afternoon." (Jenny, co-ordinator for Youth Mental Health Workers seminar, Sydney)

Your passion, engaging manner and depth of research made your presentation extremely informative and enjoyable. Both parents and staff gained a great deal of insight from your presentation. I left with a sense that many parents were really challenged about how they monitor, supervise and guide their children in the use of technology in their own homes. I also believed they felt very confronted by the thought that their child has most likely been willingly or unwillingly exposed to inappropriate material online. This was one of my goals of the evening, so thank you for making this a reality. You are doing a great thing for our community.
Steve Grice (High School Principal, Sydney)

Thank you so much for your presentation last week. Cyber-safety, staying a step ahead of students and working out how best to educate and work with students and parents on cyber issues is a common welfare concern in all our schools. It is such a blessing to be able to access your expertise and learn from your experience and insight, and to develop our policies accordingly. Thank you for the way in which you tailored your presentation to our group, we all greatly appreciated all that you shared with us.
Merryn Clarksmith (Head of senior School) on behalf of the HICES Pastoral Care Network (Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation)

I am a regular listener of your show. I am a stay home mum with two beautiful children. I am so encouraged daily by the radio station. You have also introduced me to Collete Smart who I could absolutely listen to every day of the week. She is so fabulous, realistic, insightful and so encouraging. (Email sent to FM103.2, from a mother in Belrose Sydney)

Collett Smart's blog and website are fantastic resources for educators, parents and students. Her seminars are highly informative and she is clearly passionate about helping children and adults navigate the often perilous passage through the teen years. 
I highly recommend Collett's work - she is worth listening to! Julie Gale (Director Kids Free 2B Kids)

Thank you for presenting to our staff and parents on the “Passions and Perils of Youth in Cyberia”. This was a very informative session and a great eye-opener to what students at our school and young children can be exposed to online. At times the information presented shocked, yet Collette empowered staff and parents to educate and implement strategies to protect young children and teenagers in their online pursuits. On our feedback surveys one parents commented “Thank you for giving us the facts of the actual risks that our children face online and sharing practical strategies that even non-tech savvy parents can use.” We strongly recommend that all parents and educators be informed of the risks and take precautions. Thanks for an informative and educational presentation!
Rebecca and Laurenn (Psychologists,THGS)

Today was an impacting seminar professionally presented with accurate and current statistics. It gives understanding and perspective to many of the difficult situations we as school teachers and pastoral carers face with our students. Even though the message Collett brought to our staff was confronting it was very timely. Many of us felt more empowered to protect the potential and innocence of our students. I look forward to the next time Collett speaks to our school parent community. Well done Collett for raising awareness to the medias normalisation of youth engaging in highly sexualised activity with no consequence.
Amanda Fitzgerald (School Chaplain, Bankstown Grammar)

"The overall consensus was encapsulated in the following attendee comments on your topic, 'The House that Porn Built': I was stunned my eyes were opened; It was challenging / confronting; It increased my awareness of the issues; It is more serious than I realised; It has made me realise that I need to be more diligent with the family computer; It was informative and made me realise how serious the issue is; It was good to see how we can do something about the issue;  It has given me an awareness / understanding of how inappropriate social norms can creep into society; It brought awareness yet was hopeful for a disturbing topic." (City Care Mental Health Professionals' workshop, Sydney)

Collett's approach was refreshing, informative and insightful, tapping into the latest research about addictions and overcoming them
Richard (MPsych)

I found the statistics on internet pornography shocking and the manipulation of our children and teenagers incredibly disturbing. I was, however, encouraged to hear how helpful it is to keep the lines of communication open with our children and for them to believe that there is nothing they cannot ask or share with us, as their parents. I was reminded of how important it is to talk to your kids about these things because it is not 'if' but 'when' they will be confronted. Better that they know parents who love them are by their side.
SB (Mum of 4)

I found the section on the dangers of pornography helpful for my future. Also, the part about how media companies alter photos.
Teenage girl

Collett Smart is an engaging speaker who challenges her audience to think through the issues of modern technology and its affects on society, in particular, our children. Collett empowers parents as she takes you on a journey through the world of cyberia equipping parents and educators with knowledge and practical strategies.
Peter Grosskopf  (Model Farms High School P&C President )

I found today helpful. It showed me that most teenagers are going through things.
Middle School Boy

With a compelling not condemning approach, Collett speaks with clarity and reveals the emotional, mental and physical keys to keeping our children safe with technology!
Trish (B Ed, Primary Teacher)

Thanks for taking on the task of addressing a difficult topic. Thanks particularly for not sugar coating. Its out there. Its a serious issue and we can not ignore it...
Jack, (Middle School Teacher)

Wow, what a seminar!!! Jammed packed with information regarding a very sensitive/difficult topic, presented brilliantly by Collett. The information I found quite confronting and definitely an eye opener, however, useful for me as a Mother of three boys. I really recommend it to all parents.
L.S (mum)

Collett, you are an amazing woman fighting a huge battle. I know that you will speak volumes to those who are willing to hear. It is about raising awareness and changing attitudes... do not feel alone, because people will carry forth what you say into their own discussions about this stuff. Thanks for all that you do.
Bec (Senior School Teacher)