MAKING CYBERSPACE A BETTER PLACE

Australia’s 3.5 million school students will have the chance to learn how to prevent cyberbullying and stay safe online with the national launch of a suite of free, comprehensive lesson plans today.

The Make Cyberspace a Better Place campaign, an initiative of Kids Helpline and Optus to help schools tackle cyber-safety, will see each of Australia’s more than 10,000 primary and secondary schools receive an education pack containing information on cyberbullying, sexting and the safe use of technology.

The education pack targets years 3-6, 7-9 and 10-12 and contains two lessons each for age group, including video case studies, detailed lesson plans, screen savers and posters.

Kids Helpline General Manager Wendy Protheroe said growing community concern about the online safety of children and young people had sparked the campaign.

“Australian students live in a digital world and whilst this world is an amazing source of entertainment, information and connection, they need to learn how to avoid the dangers of its misuse,” she said.

“Along with our partner Optus, we have developed lesson plans to help teachers educate students on how to make better, safer choices online and how to identify the signs of cyberbullying and to speak up if they experience it or witness it.”

According to Kids Helpline research, many children and young people repeatedly fall victim to cyberbullying, with the most common forms including name-calling, abusive comments, harassment, exclusion, impersonation, threats of harm, defamation, spreading rumours and public humiliation.

In 2010, Kids Helpline conducted almost 2,400 counselling sessions where young people were worried about bullying or cyberbullying and harassment.

“Young people who are cyberbullied reported negative effects on their self-confidence, self-esteem, friendships, school grades and attendance, and family relationships,” Ms Protheroe said.

Maha Krishnapillai, Director of Government and Corporate Affairs at Optus, said “Optus has partnered with Kids Helpline for more than 10 years and we are proud to have worked together on this latest joint initiative.

“While communications technology opens up a world of exciting possibilities, Optus is committed to preventing its misuse and ensuring young Australians stay cyber-safe. Connecting people is what we do best and this cyber-safety education pack is just one way we can help ensure that young Australians connect and communicate responsibly.”

Deputy Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety and Federal Member for Mitchell Alex Hawke MP launched the campaign today at Oakhill College in Castle Hill, Sydney the first school nationally to adopt the new lesson plans.

“We must ensure that along with the enormous benefits available to young people through the online environment, there are also resources available about cyberbullying. Young people are often first to embrace new technologies and trends in the online environment and appropriate information that helps them to remain safe is welcome,” Mr Hawke said.