New cyberbullying workshop for primary school kids

With more and more younger children active online it’s important to help them understand how to be respectful online and where to get help if they or someone they know is being bullied. To help primary students engage online in a positive way, the Optus Digital Thumbprint program has launched a new Cyberbullying and Respectful Relationships workshop to support young children learn about cyberbullying, being respectful online, and how to seek help. The interactive workshop uses gamification and aims to support young people to participate safely online, ensuring everyone has the tools they need for positive, responsible and authentic experiences online.

According to the eSafety Commissioner, cyberbullying occurs when someone is “using the internet to be mean to someone else so that they feel bad or upset. It can include posts, comments, texts, messages, chats, livestreams, memes, images, videos and emails.” It can also include excluding others, particularly from games, on purpose.

Young children are experiencing cyberbullying in social media and games in increasing numbers.  This includes mean comments, MEMES, GIFs, and being excluded. So, it’s important to help them to understand how to be respectful online and where to get help if they or someone they know is being bullied.

The new workshop will help students learn about online behaviours relating to cyberbullying, how to be respectful and where to get help if they or someone they know are being bullied. Through gamified digital workshops, students will learn online behaviours related to:

• How to be respectful
• Different ways cyberbullies operate
• Tips for dealing with bullies
• How cyberbullying can impact others
• Where to go for help if they or someone they know are bullied

Parents and teachers can find out more about the workshop at Digital Workshops – Digital Thumbprint The workshops are designed for Grades 5-6 but can also work for Grades 3-4 and students will learn and explore various concepts relating to respectful behaviour online such as:

1. What does the word respect mean?
2. Is being respectful online different than in person? Why/why not?
3. What is cyberbullying?
4. How is cyberbullying different/similar to other forms of bullying?
5. Why do people bully others online?
6. What do you do if you or someone you know is being bullied online?

To help educate young people how to be safe in all aspects of their online life, the Optus Digital Thumbprint program provides free, curriculum-aligned workshops that teach primary and secondary students how to participate safely online. It gives students the tools they need for positive, responsible and authentic online experiences. The program has been endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider and covers a range of topics like cyber security, cyberbullying and respectful relationships, digital discernment, technology and balance, and online identity.  

So far, over 495,000 Aussie kids have completed a Digital Thumbprint workshop in metro and regional Australia. If you would like the program to come to your child’s school, then let us know here.   

Register for our workshops.

Find more about The Office of 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.