School responses to e-security issues
Schools should seek guidance from their local education authority regarding appropriate technological tools to limit e-security risks to computers used on school networks. Many school networks are also supported by IT advisers who can provide expertise in this area.
Establishing a cybersafety team
Establishing a specific cybersafety team can greatly assist in implementing a holistic and consistent approach to cybersafety practices within the school, including advice about school based e-security issues.
The cybersafety team leads cybersafety issues in the school, auditing schools policies and procedures and establishing and embedding new policies and procedures to enhance school-wide cybersafe behaviours. This is explored further in Policies and Procedures.
Establishing a cybersafety contact person
It may be useful for schools to establish a Cybersafety contact person to whom students can report online concerns. This role should be promoted to staff, students and parents and ideally would provide non-judgemental guidance to students and liaise between students and parents on issues concerning student safety and wellbeing. The student welfare officer may fulfil this role. The person may be a member of the cybersafety team.
Acceptable use Policies and Codes of Conduct
Schools may choose to implement an Acceptable Use Policy or Code of Conduct which provide guidelines to ensure ICT including email and mobile phones are used responsibly and productively within the school environment. The Policies and procedures section of this website provides guidance for schools to create cybersafety policies and provides links to state and territory specific policies and procedures provided by each of the education departments and offices for schools to access and use as a basis for their policy and procedure development.
Educating students
Education about e-security issues and risks will help to ensure children and young people understand how to minimise risks outside the school environment. The Teacher resources section of this website provides age appropriate resources to teach children about e-security including links to the Budd:e E-security Education Package outlined below.
The Stay Smart Online website hosts the Budd:e E-security Education Package which is designed to raise the e-security awareness of Australian primary and secondary school students and help them stay smart online. The Budd:e E-security Education Package consists of two activity-based learning modules, one for primary and one for secondary school students. Both modules contain engaging, media rich activities and resources developed in consultation with teachers and subject matter experts.
Educating parents
Establishing a partnership between parents and the school is an important part of dealing holistically and effectively with problems involving e-security.
A brief newsletter reference to the school’s education commitment to e-security with some of the brief tips listed in this section and a link to the supporting parent information is a useful approach to raising awareness about e-security. Schools can direct parents to cybersafety information for parents on this website.
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:
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the ways children use the internet and emerging technologies
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potential risks faced by children when online such as cyberbullying, identity theft, inappropriate contact and exposure to inappropriate content
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tips and strategies to help children stay safe online.
Book an internet safety awareness presentation.
Professional Development (PD) for Educators
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.