When Safety Goes Beyond The Fence

For me, safety in our homes, neighbourhoods, and community has always been my paramount priority. Over the years, we’ve invested in secure streets, strong support networks, and educational initiatives to protect what matters most—our families.

But in today’s world, a new frontier of safety has emerged—one that we can’t lock behind a door or fence: digital safety.

As screens become ever-present and technology weaves deeper into our lives, the risks are no longer just about online scams or exposure to inappropriate content. We're now seeing mounting evidence of digital addiction, mental health impacts, and even neurological changes, especially in children and teens.

That’s why I’m inviting you to join me at Harrup Park in the Lancaster Room on Tuesday, 2 September, for a very special event:

Digital Detox | A night to Rethink Tech
5:45pm – 7:00pm | Light nibbles provided

I’ll be hosting internationally renowned speaker and author Brad Huddleston, a leading voice on the intersection of technology, culture, and neuroscience. Brad has presented to schools, universities, churches, and governments around the world—shedding light on the real consequences of our screen-saturated lives.

During this community event, Brad will speak on topics from his bestselling books Digital Cocaine, Digital Rehab, and The Dark Side of Technology, including:

• How tech addiction mirrors substance abuse in the brain
• The unseen mental toll of cyberbullying
• Whether digital education really works—and what the alternatives are
• How AI is reshaping learning and parenting
• And most importantly, how we can reclaim balance in a hyper-connected world_

This ticketed event is about equipping our community with truth, tools, and hope—so we can make wise choices for ourselves and our children.

We’ve built strong, resilient neighbourhoods by standing together and staying informed. The digital space is no different. I’d love to see you at Wired Minds, where we take the next step—together—toward digital wellness.

When: Tuesday 2 September | 5:45pm – 7:00pm
Where: Harrup Park, Lancaster Room
Tickets: Available via EventBrite. Search Digital Detox | A night to Rethink Tech

Let’s keep our community safe—online and off.

Nigel Dalton, Member for Mackay

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International speaker Brad Huddleston will visit Mackay to explore the neurological impact of tech overuse at the upcoming Digital Detox | A night to Rethink Tech event on Tuesday, 2 September. Photo supplied

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