News & Articles

Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com

This Tuesday 8 February is Safer Internet Day, and eSafety is asking all Australians to #PlayitFairOnline by promoting positive online behaviours to help make the online world a better place.

We asked Stephen Fracalossi, Chief Privacy and Information Security Officer at Education Services Australia (ESA), how we can best ensure all students have a safer online experience.

‘We want students to use the internet to learn and have fun with their friends, but we also understand the importance of keeping them safe,’ says Fracalossi.

‘The internet has many benefits, but it can also be a dangerous place if you’re not careful, so students must learn to understand the risks and develop the skills necessary to protect themselves online. 

‘The internet has improved all our lives, but things can go wrong, so students must understand the risks and have the skills necessary to protect themselves online.’

‘Teaching students digital citizenship helps them understand what is responsible behaviour when using digital technologies and gives them tools they can use to protect themselves when they’re online.’ 

ESA has created a range of curriculum-aligned resources for educators, students, and parents and carers to enhance capabilities and knowledge about the online world.

The Digital Technologies Hub has a section on Cybersafety featuring resources which aim to help parents promote good digital citizenship within their families.

The Digital Technologies Hub also has a suite of resources for teachers about Digital Citizenship, designed to ensure students develop a solid understanding of internet safety and the importance of conducting themselves appropriately when online.

Additionally, the Digital Technologies Hub has engaging resources for students, such as videos, games and activities about Cybersafety, covering specific topics such as cyberbullying, making good decisions online and protecting your personal information.

The Student Wellbeing Hub’s Online safety professional learning module supports educators to develop an understanding of online safety. This short, self-paced course highlights how schools and teachers can help students maximise their safety when browsing the internet, or when using social media or other forms of digital technology.

Both Educators and students can find further online safety resources relevant to every year group on the Student Wellbeing Hub. There are also resources for parents and carers about encouraging online safety for primary school students and secondary school students.

‘Support and guidance from trusted adults, such as parents and teachers, gives students the confidence they need to make sound decisions when they’re online and to seek help if they need it,’ says Fracalossi.

‘There are also many useful resources provided by the eSafety Commissioner and the Australian Cyber Security Centre to help people of all ages to protect themselves while online.’