Online safety campaign to help start the chat

This year a new campaign has been launched to help parents, carers and teachers start the chat about online safety.  Listen to Alive 90.5 FM Chair, Gillian Schrickker who interviewed Kellie Britnell, a Senior Education Advisor for the Office of the eSafety Commissioner.

Research shows that more Aussie kids than ever are having negative online experiences, including cyberbullying, unwanted contact from strangers and social exclusion. 

The national campaign aims to arm parents, carers and teachers with the right resources to help keep children and young people safe online.

“Our research shows 81 percent of parents have given their pre-schoolers access to an internet-connected device, so open and honest conversations about safe online behaviour need to be starting in the home earlier than most people think,” says eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant. 

“With technology changing so fast, it is vital parents, teachers and all those who care for children are equipped with up-to-date, accurate and easy-to-follow information. This way we can all play a role in ensuring kids have safe, positive experiences online,” says Inman Grant. 

Through the range of resources available on eSafety’s website, parents, carers and teachers can find information about the personal, emotional and – in some cases – legal consequences of online behaviours. 

“Today, on the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, one of the best ways we can take action is to start the conversation with our kids,” says Inman Grant.

More than 2.4 million students from over 5700 schools across Australia are saying ‘Bullying. No Way’ as part of the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. 

The ninth annual National Day of Action encourages students, teachers and parents to take a stand against bullying and violence in our schools.

“Online bullying can take many forms including name calling, unwanted messages, as well as threats and content posted without consent – and today we are sending a strong message that it’s never ok,” says Inman Grant. 

eSafety is hosting free virtual classrooms for schools around the country to help empower students and teachers through practical strategies to prevent, manage and report bullying online. 

More than 320,000 students have participated in these classrooms since 2015.