Free workshops for schools for Safer Internet Day

As part of Safer Internet Day, and our ongoing commitment to support young people to participate safely online, Optus will be running free Digital Thumbprint workshops in metro and regional schools throughout Australia. We’re continuing our support by offering a live Virtual Classroom for primary school students featuring Chaz Mostert, Supercar Star and winner of Bathurst 2021. Chaz is an advocate for online safety and has experienced trolling firsthand and seen the negative effects on fellow drivers. Our special event with Chaz will cover:

• Using apps and games safely
• Online behaviour 
• Connecting with people online
• Where to seek help if it’s needed
   

The special live event with Chaz is a virtual experience available nationally to all primary schools. 

“I’m encouraging everyone to look after one another online, it can be a pretty nasty place at times, and we can all make it better.” Chaz says.

“This Safer Internet Day, I encourage kids and parents to play it fair online and just be you.” 

“Optus has created free Digital Thumbprint workshops for Aussie kids and resources for families that cover everything from cyberbullying to cybersecurity,” Chaz says.

Safer Internet Day is a global initiative that brings families, schools, organisations and governments from 170 countries together to raise awareness about online safety.

“There is no place for online abuse. We can all help to make life online enjoyable by being kind and respectful to each other,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said. 

“This Safer Internet Day, we’re raising awareness of the crucial role we all have to create a better internet. 

“We’re encouraging Australians of all ages to play their part to promote positive behaviours online. 

“By being safe, respectful and kind, together we can play it fair online.”

Here's some ways you and your family can participate in Safer Internet Day:

• Register your child’s school for our special event with Chaz
• Have a conversation about respectful behaviour online
• Set boundaries for time online
• Check passwords are strong and privacy settings are on your apps and games
• Discuss how to report cyberbullying and offensive content within apps and games, and also to the Office of the eSafety Commissioner

Optus Digital Thumbprint is a series of free, curriculum-aligned workshops that teach young people to participate safely online, with the tools they need for positive, responsible and authentic experiences.  Optus Digital Thumbprint has been endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider. The program was launched in 2013 and has reached over 431,000 primary and secondary students nationwide.  

It now runs both classroom-based and teacher-led digital interactive workshops throughout the school year on topics covering cyber security; cyberbullying and respectful relationships; digital discernment; online identity; and technology.

Nominate your school for a workshop and check out the free videos and guides at Book a Workshop – Digital Thumbprint.

At Optus, we want to help create a more inclusive and optimistic future for all. Through our digital enablement strategy, we’re helping young people thrive in today’s world and have confident and positive interactions with each other and digital technology. Our goal is to provide every young child in need, access to digital education and access to free internet connectivity.  We are providing essential tools through programs like Digital Thumbprint.

Register for our workshops here:

https://www.digitalthumbprint.com.au/digital-workshops/

Find more about The Office of the eSafety Commissioner:

https://www.optus.com.au/connected/families/meet-the-esafety-commissioner

If you feel a young person in your life needs help and support, please let them know that Kids Helpline is there for them at any time. Find out more at https://kidshelpline.com.au/ or dial 1800 55 1800.