The conviction of Cardinal George Pell and the lifting of suppression orders, the Lawyer X scandal destroying the credibility of the criminal justice system in Victoria, and bushfires raging across another state, has made explanations to children who consume news with enthusiasm challenging.

Life is tough; the next disaster or catastrophe can feel like it is just around the corner.

Sometimes it is even difficult to find the good that lives in most of us.

However, the courage shown by people who have experienced the most horrendous circumstances imaginable has been both inspiring and saddening.

Their willingness to speak up, even though reliving excruciating events of the past, is extraordinarily brave. In some situations, victims are frozen by fear, unfairly ashamed or, in the most harrowing examples, unable to speak because they are dead.

When I was a young person at school, speaking up took great courage because parents, committed to seeing their children do well at school, were less inclined to believe the after-school tales of kids.

Injustice and inequity did not go unnoticed, but I felt less empowered and therefore less inclined to act.

Discipline was also much different with the cane still employed as a tool for correction when I began high school and was threatened with its whipping in 1988. Ridiculously, corporal punishment was not outlawed in Tasmanian government and independent schools until 1999! To think as a young teacher I could have encouraged its use for a misdemeanour is abhorrent.

School culture was more centred on compliance; however, we were in the beginnings of making a stand, and even talking to parents at home about what we had experienced or witnessed.

To be fair, my school life was bliss. Sure, there were moments of disappointment when I did not try my best, spoke too much or failed to impress the popular girls, but most days were a pleasure, which I reflect upon with fondness.

Therefore, in the back of my mind, I can hear comments such as: “It was better in my day.” “It wouldn’t have happened in my day.” “The kids of today have no respect.” “We should bring back the cane.” And my personal favourite: “When I was a boy.”

To swap the Mike + The Mechanics lyric: “Every generation blames the one after.”

There is no way kids should have been hit at school, particularly those who were struck, a long way from smacked, at home.

To be honest, the times weren’t better nor were the kids. Each generation is more effectively equipped than the one before; often brighter, more efficient and more productive. Although abhorrent crimes will still be committed, I have the utmost confidence in our young people and their ability to raise issues and speak up.

Regularly, I hear of wonderful deeds by students, teammates and friends who rise to the occasion; defying the constant strain of peer pressure to let trusted adults know of harm that has or might occur.

Respect, manners and timing remain incredibly important; a sign of maturity that must be modelled. However, so must kindness, tolerance, creativity, problem solving, disagreeing agreeably and resilience.

Young people of today are extremely clever. They can manipulate technology with ease; often maximising the functionality of apps, programs, games, remotes, phones and watches. Technology can create problems, but also provide important tools to learn about the world, to speak up, and to interact with friends, peers and colleagues.

Social media is not going away. The challenge remains to use its influence for good.

Standing up to injustice and inequality should not be mistaken for disrespect. It is difficult and there are times when, simply because of their age, young people will express thoughts and feelings inadequately. Rather than chastising, we should guide.

Our job is to find the good; harness it and support those who needs us most, whether confidant, friend or foe.

Watching, reading or scrolling through news items can be terribly difficult. But there remains much to be learned, discussed and considered.

Today’s young people can show us how.