OPTUS HELPS OVER 40,000 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS STAY SAFE ONLINE

With 97% of young Australians regularly using social media, it’s more important than ever that young people understand the impact that the online world can have on their lives.*

Optus Digital Thumbprint is an award winning** innovative education program that gives high school students an insight into the online world, and how to become savvy members of Australia’s online community.

Optus Digital Thumbprint comprises a series of workshops that build students’ online etiquette. Workshop facilitators cover a range of topics including:

• understanding your social media footprint
• password security
• safeguarding your online identity, and
• cyber bullying.

Helen Maisano, Associate Director of Corporate Social Responsibility with Optus, said, “Technology is such an essential part of kids’ lives today, and we want to make sure we are talking about the issues that they really need to know about. So many kids don’t understand that there can be repercussions for something as simple as posting a photo online.”

“Optus Digital Thumbprint teaches kids what they need to know for a positive online presence. The workshops are fun and engaging and we are seeing so much positive feedback from the students and teachers who have taken part,” Ms Maisano said.

Tania Safarian, program facilitator with Optus Digital Thumbprint said, “Optus takes cyber security very seriously and has a long history of working with young people in this space. Feedback from students is very encouraging, with 95% of participants confirming they learnt something new in the workshop that they can apply to their everyday lives. And it’s not just students who are benefitting. Just over 97% of teachers feel their knowledge of digital concepts increased as a direct result of the workshop.”

“As word of mouth for Optus Digital Thumbprint spreads, demand for the program continues to grow. Over the past year, more than 40,000 students in Sydney and Melbourne have attended an Optus Digital Thumbprint workshop. Optus has shown a great commitment to making sure students have the opportunity to thrive and are fully supported when facing the unique set of challenges brought on by social media, technology growth and increased access to digital devices,” Ms Safarian said.

For more information on the Optus Digital Thumbprint program, or to book a session, please visit www.digitalthumbprint.com.au

Media contact:

Sophie Cotterill

Optus Corporate Affairs

(02) 8082 7850

media@optus.com.au

* Like, Post, Share: Young Australians’ experience of social media, Quantitative research report into Australian children aged 14-15, Australian Communications and Media Authority, 2013.

**ACCOM Award 2014 for Community Contribution.