Australian Capital Territory cybersafety policies
This section provides links to information about the cybersafety policies and procedures provided by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) education authorities.
Association of Independent Schools, ACT
ACT Department of Education and Training
Association of Independent Schools, ACT
Approach to cybersafety
The seventeen independent schools in the ACT are responsible themselves for the day to day management and operation of their own school, within their respective governing body’s frameworks. The Association represents the schools at a local jurisdictional level. Schools can best gauge the wishes of their school community and responsibility for the development, implementation and evaluation of policies is a matter for them.
In a regulatory context, ACT independent schools must be registered with the ACT Department of Education and Training. The registration process involves schools having in place policies that ensure students’ safety and it is a condition of registration that these policies are implemented in each school. Schools are encouraged to share information on registration, including policies, to raise the level of expertise in schools in policy development and to engender a culture of cooperation across the sector.
The Association provides information on to schools on initiatives such as ‘Bullying. No Way’ including resources, weblinks and general information for teachers, parents and school communities. The Association has discussed this resource in the past as colleagues at a Board level (where all of the schools are represented). The Association has also actively worked with schools in assisting them meet their obligations under the National Safe Schools Framework by providing advice on resources such as ‘Bullying. No Way’ and drawing from the expertise of colleagues in other, larger associations of independent schools.
Back to top
ACT Department of Education and Training
Approach to cybersafety
The ACT Department of Education and Training has firm policies governing the appropriate use of the Internet and mobile phones within schools. Whether it is working with the Internet or communicating by mobile phone, students should feel safe and not be exposed to inappropriate material.
ICT Security
The Department also uses software that filters Internet websites to protect students from inappropriate online content.
Acceptable use Policies and Codes of Conduct
The ACT Department of Education and Training has policies on:
- The Acceptable Use of ICT
- The Appropriate use of Mobile Phones
- Providing Safe Schools
The Department has also published a guide for ACT parents and carers titled Keeping Children Safe in Cyberspace.
These documents can be accessed from the Department website: www.det.act.gov.au
Cyberbullying
The following policies have been developed and are available on the website:
- Countering bullying, harassment and violence in ACT Public Schools (includes cyberbullying
- Our School: a Safe and Happy Place for Everyone: A code of conduct to promote respectful interaction on ACT Department of Education and Training Premises.
Back to top