Modern-day parenting can be challenging: monitoring screen-times, picking the right school, what they should watch on TV, diet, when they should sleep, and, now (particularly for parents of young rugby league fans) how, if at all, to discuss scandals. Loading My son is eight and, in our household, we do not talk about these constant off-field player indiscretions. In fact, I've found myself actively changing the topic whenever a friend or neighbour raises the subject of Dylan Walker, Dylan Napa, Hayne, de Belin... "What did you say about Jarryd Hayne, Dad?" my son recently asked when he overheard some chit-chat around the former Parramatta Eel, who is maintaining his innocence as he faces aggravated sexual assault allegations.

"Oh, err, we are just wondering who will sign him up next." Should I have said more? Child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg says parents should be "guided by their kids' curiosity" when talking about sensitive topics. "Don't give more information than they are asking for and keep it age appropriate," he says For older children, there could even be a lesson in discussing the Tyrone May story.

"This is a teachable moment for all parents in that it illustrates that we should never post anything online without the consent of the person featured," Dr Carr-Gregg says. Loading As for whether parents should be looking to sportspeople as role models for our children in light of recent events, Dr Carr-Gregg says there still are "a lot of league players who behave well and are great role models". Children are taught to idolise sportspeople primarily through messaging in the home, but also through media, says the University of Western Australia's Associate Professor Sandy Gordon, who specialises in sport and exercise psychology. Associate Professor Gordon believes, particularly in light of recent scandals like Cricket Australia's ball tampering incident, we might be holding these individuals to too high a standard.

"Like most Western societies where sport is a significant socialising agent Australia expects elite sport organisations and cultures to set high standards for excellence in behaviour on and off the field," he says. "Because of the pressures to win and the financial incentives to do so these standards, including moral and ethical practices, get compromised." As for the NRL, the code is currently actively trying to attract youngsters as players, fans and members through various junior rugby league programs. It's a tough sell for parents, but the kids appear to lap it up, oblivious to the game's unrelenting open wounds. Dr Adam Cohen, lecturer in sports management at UTS, says this isn't the first, and "almost certainly won't be the last", off-field scandal to leave supporters, and parents of younger supporters, asking questions.