Resources and links
Assistance and information
- The Cybersafety Contact Centre can provide general cybersafety information. Telephone 1800 880 176.
- For concerns about a child or young person’s immediate safety call the Police on Triple Zero (000).
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Kids Helpline provides confidential support and assistance to children and young people with concerns about their online safety. Telephone 1800 551 800.
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Teacher resources are available to help equip students with the skills to avoid and manage unwelcome contact.
Internet Safety Awareness Presentations
As part of its Cybersafety Outreach program, the ACMA offers free general internet safety awareness presentations for parents, students and teachers. Each presentation is approximately 60 minutes, excluding question time.
These presentations are easy to understand, thorough, non-technical and informative. They cover a range of issues including:
- the ways children use the internet and emerging technologies
- potential risks faced by children when online such as cyberbullying, identity theft, inappropriate contact and exposure to inappropriate content
- tips and strategies to help children stay safe online.
Book an internet safety awareness presentation
Professional Development for Educators (PD)
In consultation with key stakeholders and education bodies, the ACMA has developed a free and accredited Cybersafety Outreach—Professional Development for Educators (PD) program. The program is available as a full-day workshop or as 3 x 2 hour sessions and provides teachers with a comprehensive understanding of a modern student’s technology profile, digital literacy, positive online behaviour, personal and peer safety and the school’s and teachers’ legal obligations to minimise and address risks.
Book teacher professional development
Policies and procedures
Cybersafety policies and procedures have been developed by state and territory education authorities. Links to available policies and procedures are povided within the Policies and procedures section of the Schools Gateway.
References
Cross, D, Shaw, T, Hearn, L, Epstein, M., Monks, H, Lester, L, & Thomas, L (2009) Australian Covert Bullying Prevalence Study (ACBPS), Child Health Promotion Research Centre, Edith Cowan University, Perth. A project of the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). Available at http://www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/NationalSafeSchools/Pages/research.aspx
Lodge, J., & Frydenberg, E. (2007). Cyber-Bullying in Australian Schools:Profiles of Adolescent Coping and Insights for School Practitioners. The Australian Educational and Developmental Psychologist, 24(1), 45-58.
Useful websites
Bullying No Way (Aus)
www.bullyingnoway.com.au/talkout/spotlight/cyberbullyingmain.shtml
A spotlight on cyberbullying issues: how it happens, role of parents, actions to be taken by students and schools and current research.
Bullying Online (UK)
www.bullying.co.uk/pupils.php
Cyberbullying resources provided for young people, parents, schools and adults. Effective approaches for schools to use with offenders, victims and bystanders.
Cyberbullying.org
www.cyberbullying.org
Provides examples of forms of cyberbullying and appropriate responses. Related resources section.
Pew Internet and American Life Project Study
Cyberbullying and Online Teens
www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/216/report_display.asp.
This site has a full PDF of this 2007 report.
Think U Know (Aus)
www.thinkuknow.org.au/site/cyberbullying.asp
A partnership between the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Communications and Media Authority and Microsoft Australia.