Optus data reveals what every parent needs to know about their children’s biggest challenges online

In a survey of over 1,000 students across Australia, Optus has found the biggest challenges students face online:

• Almost one in two students struggle to figure out whether approaches from “friends”, or online messages are credible or a scam, according to a new study.
  
• The exclusive Optus Digital Thumbprint survey of more than 1,000 high school students has also revealed more than 40 per cent find it hard to tell the difference between fake and real news.
• The number one challenge for almost 36 per cent of students being cyberbullied is understanding why they are being targeted.
• More than 34 per cent of students ranked their second biggest challenge as knowing how to protect themselves from cyberbullies.

Students were also asked about cyberbullying and how it affects them.

They revealed during the Digital Thumbprint workshops that there is a great deal of mental stress that they suffer because of this.

Optus Digital Thumbprint supports digital safety and wellbeing with educational workshops, guides and resources for young people and families.  The program includes free, curriculum-aligned workshops that are fun and interactive. These workshops are delivered face-to-face by one of our facilitators or via digital interactive workshops.

In addition to the facilitator-led sessions hosted in schools, a dedicated website has free resources for young people, families, and teachers, which can be accessed at www.digitalthumbprint.com.au/resources.

The Digital Thumbprint program, fully funded by Optus, has reached over 620,000 primary and secondary students across Australia. The program has been endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider.

When protecting their personal information online, one in two (49%) students struggle to create and remember strong passwords.

Passwords are the first line of defence in protecting our personal information online. A weak password can easily be cracked by hackers, putting the personal and financial information of children at risk.

Optus recommends a strong passphrase to boost online protection and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.

These and other tips are part of Optus Digital Thumbprint’s new guide to help kids protect their personal information from hackers and scammers.

Maurice McCarthy, Managing Director Customer Success at Optus, said “Optus is committed to educating families on how they can discuss and navigate today’s online world.

“Since 2013, we have been running our free, award-winning Digital Thumbprint Program in schools across Australia which aims to equip students with the skills they need to be safe, responsible and confident online,” Mr McCarthy said.

Helen Maisano, Senior Director Group Sustainability at Optus, said the challenges seem to increase daily as scams become more sophisticated and pervasive.

“One important way for parents to help their children practice safe online behaviour is by parents having an open conversation with their kids, particularly about scams and how to avoid them so they are better protected in their digital environment,” Helen says.

To help families prepare their children for dealing with the risks of online scams, Optus Digital Thumbprint has created the Stay Ahead of Scams through Family Discussions guide.

In addition to resources for parents, carers and teachers, the site also includes interactive activities for children such as the 'scammers and fake friends’ quiz which helps children test their defence skills to avoid cyber criminals.

Learn more at www.digitalthumbprint.com.au.  

Media contact:
Anthony Giannopoulos
Optus Corporate Affairs
02 9037 8179
media@optus.com.au