Cool Kids – Taking Control

AN INTERNET DELIVERED PROGRAM FOR

CHILDREN EXPERIENCING BULLYING AND ANXIETY
(AGES 7-12 YRS)

Cool Kids - Taking Control is an online self-help program that is designed to help children who have been
targets of bullying and who also have high levels of anxiety. It is based on the well-known Cool Kids
anxiety program developed at Macquarie University in Sydney. The efficacy of Cool Kids - Taking Control
in reducing peer victimisation is currently being investigated by a team at Macquarie University.

WHAT IS THE COOL KIDS - TAKING WHO IS THE COOL KIDS - TAKING
CONTROL PROGRAM ABOUT? CONTROL STUDY DESIGNED FOR?
Cool Kids - Taking Control is designed for parents The Cool Kids - Taking Control program is
to work through with their child at home. suitable for your child if:

The program is delivered over the internet and • They are between 7 and 12 years of age,
involves eight lessons delivered over ten weeks. • They are being victimised by peers at school
It teaches children: AND anxiety is significant affecting your child’s
• About bullying and anxiety, day-to-day life,
• How to be confident in social situations, • They are not accessing other psychological
• How to better manage fears, treatment (except medication*), and
• Helpful ways to act if they are bullied, and
• You and your child are proficient in English
• How to cope with bullying.
*Please note, medication should be stable (same type and dose)
before starting and during treatment.
Cool Kids – Taking Control includes instructions,
examples, and videos for parents and their child.
The Cool Kids - Taking Control program is not
There are lots of practice exercises to help children
suitable for your child if he or she is currently
master the skills.
experiencing any of the following issues:
• Significant learning delays, developmental or
intellectual disorders.
• Autism or related disorders.
• Significant unmanaged behavioural disorder.
• Considered at risk (i.e., due to abuse, neglect,
suicidal ideation, self-harm or school refusal).
• Unmanaged psychotic symptoms.
These exclusions are in place to ensure that our treatment
program is delivered to children who are most likely to benefit
from it and for whom we are best equipped to offer services.
WILL I RECEIVE SUPPORT TO • The purpose of the initial assessment is to
COMPLETE THE PROGRAM? determine if our program is suitable for
your child. If the program is not considered
Absolutely. The program will be supported by a to be suitable for your child, you will be
member of the research team who is trained in provided with alternative referral options
Cool Kids - Taking Control. Each parent will that would best suit your needs.
receive a short (10-15 minutes) weekly phone All assessments involve you and your child being
call after each lesson to discuss goals and to interviewed over the telephone by a psychologist
work through any difficulties with the program. and completing online questionnaires about
thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE COOL WHO DECIDES WHICH CONDITION
KIDS TAKING CONTROL PROGRAM? WE ARE IN?
The condition to which you are allocated is decided
• Allows families across Australia to
randomly, like drawing names out of a hat.
receive access to the Cool Kids - Taking
Control program. HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
• Families are able to complete treatment
• There is a required initial fee of $100 which
lessons at their own pace and at a
includes assessment and treatment for the Cool
convenient time each week.
Kids - Taking Control study. (For your
• The interactive online format is
engaging for children. information, an initial clinical assessment would
• Cool Kids - Taking Control is a research typically cost $290. The face-to-face Cool Kids
treatment study, so we are able to offer program at the CEH typically costs $500).
access at a reduced fee. • Once your final assessment has been
completed, you will receive a $100 reward if
you paid the initial $100 fee.
• If your family is unable to make this initial fee
WHAT DOES THE STUDY INVOLVE? payment, contact us via email to discuss
• An initial assessment to determine if our alternative options.
program is likely to be suitable and beneficial The Cool Kids - Taking Control study is funded
for your child. by Australian Rotary Health.
• A 10-week treatment program (immediately or HOW TO ACCESS THE PROGRAM?
6 months after the treatment group have If you would like your child assessed for the
completed the online program) that you Cool Kids – Taking Control study,
complete online at home with the help of a please complete the online registration form.
therapist over the phone. We will then contact you to set up the initial
• Two more assessments - 10 weeks after joining assessment. You can access the registration
the study and then again six-months later. form at www.coolkidstakingcontrol.com.au.
WHAT DO THE ASSESSMENTS INVOLVE? For further information about the program please
contact us at [email protected] or find out
• Assessments are conducted before your family more by visiting centreforemotionalhealth.com.au
commences treatment as well as after
“As a Cool Kids – Taking Control coach, you
treatment. All assessments involve you and
have an important role in helping your child
your child being interviewed over the telephone
face their fears and build their confidence
by a psychologist and completing
so that anxiety and bullying has less of an
questionnaires about thoughts, feelings and
behaviours. influence on their life.”
This research has ethics approval from the Macquarie
University Human Research Ethics Committee. All data
collected is confidential, and is de-identified.

FIND OUT MORE

Cool Kids – Taking Control Online Study
Centre for Emotional Health
Macquarie University NSW 2109 Australia
T: +61 (2) 9850 8715
[email protected]
CRICOS Provider 00002J / ABN 90952801237