Digital Thumbprint celebrates 650,000-student milestone

The Optus Digital Thumbprint Program recently celebrated a significant milestone of educating 650,000 Australian primary and secondary students through digital safety and wellbeing workshops.

Digital Thumbprint offers free, curriculum-aligned workshops designed to empower young people to participate safely online, and equip them with the tools for fostering positive, responsible, and authentic digital interactions.

According to Helen Maisano, Senior Director, Group Sustainability at Optus, since launching in 2013, Digital Thumbprint has helped primary and high school students across Australia to better navigate their lives online. 

“Our core mission has always centred on empowering young people to grow and connect in today's digital landscape. Digital Thumbprint embodies our commitment to making a meaningful and enduring difference in how young people and families make safer, smarter and more informed decisions in digital spaces and manage their digital presence in a way that enhances their lives and wellbeing. 

“I’m honoured by the dedication of Optus, our team members, and partners in bringing this free educational program to Australian schools which is delivering practical education for young people and their families,” Helen said.

“When Digital Thumbprint began in 2013, we faced emerging challenges like cyberbullying, including online harassment and unauthorised sharing of personal images, cybersecurity threats, and unwanted online contact. Today's digital landscape has evolved dramatically - virtually every aspect of life has moved online, making these risks even more prevalent without proper safeguards that are based on awareness and education.

“Over the years we’ve been delighted to receive several industry recognition and awards, and in October we took out a coveted award in Asia Pacific with the program recognised on the Steward Leadership 25 Honourees Leader List,” she said.

“Digital safety is increasingly being recognised as a human rights issue because our lives, freedoms and identities are intertwined with the digital world. We’re seeing an amplification of challenges such as cyberbullying, misinformation, scams and extortion so it’s critical to educate and empower young people, and families, with information to support informed choices and the knowledge to thrive online,” Helen said.  

“Digital Thumbprint operates nationwide, with delivery options including expert in-person facilitators or teacher-led workshops through an engaging online platform. This adaptable approach has resonated strongly, offering schools, individual learners, and their families flexibility in accessing online safety education.

“We’re always developing our programs to stay across trends and emerging issues online, such as our new AI workshops that will be available early next year, so that our students can gain the benefits of being online while reducing the risks,” she said.  

“We will continue to invest in and expand the program to ensure that primary and secondary students, as well as families are supported with digital safety and wellbeing education and resources,” Helen said.

The Digital Thumbprint Program has been endorsed by the e-Safety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider. 

For young people 

• Blocking unwanted contact guide
• Cyberbullying quiz
• Cyberbullying: what to do when things go wrong guide
• Digital Balance quiz
• Fake friends and fake profiles quiz
• Hackers, scammers and fake friends guide
• Lifehacks for a balanced time online guide
• Passphrases, passwords and MFA guide and quiz
• Protecting personal information quiz
• Scammers and fake friends quiz

For Families

• Balancing time online guide
• Blocking unwanted contact for your child guide
• Cyberbullying: What to say when things go wrong online guide
• First Phone Readiness guide and quiz
• Passphrases, passwords and MFA for your child guide
• Recognising hackers, scammers and fake friends guide
• Safeguard your child’s privacy on popular apps and games guide
• Stay ahead of scams through family discussions guide

eSafety Commissioner to report cyberbullying, image-based abuse, and illegal and restricted content

Australian Cyber Security Centre - Auto report cybercrime, including online threats and abuse, scams and hacks, data breaches, identity theft and fraud. 

Scamwatch to report scams.

Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation to report online grooming and inappropriate contact 

IDCARE to get identity theft, data breach, scam and cyber security support.

If your child needs to talk to someone about their feelings or worries, they can contact: 

Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 for free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling services.

13YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7) for a free, private and confidential talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter. 

Optus Digital Thumbprint supports digital safety and wellbeing for young people and families. Find out more at www.digitalthumbprint.com.au