Fearless Conversations from our Next Generation competition – submit your video entry here

Calling all high school students! A new competition wants to hear your ideas to make our state better. You just need to explain your plan in 30 seconds – enter here.

Concordia College student Gigi will be submitting an entry for Flinders University’s Fearless Conversations from our Next Generation initiative. Picture: Tom Huntley

Concordia College pupil Gigi is eager to have a fearless conversation on a subject that affects many young South Australians: online bullying.

As part of Flinders University’s Fearless Conversations from our Next Generation campaign, the Year 9 student is compiling a video to highlight the lasting impact social media and online abuse can have on young people.

The campaign encourages high school students to submit a 30-second video sharing the fearless topics they would like to discuss. The video should focus on students’ ideas on what needs to be done to address a specific issue and create a better future for all South Australians.

Each person who enters will go into the running to join three other students live on stage at the Adelaide Town Hall on September 8 for a Fearless Conversation as part of Flinders University’s flagship event, The Investigator.

Enter the competition via the form below – full terms and conditions are available here.

Gigi, 14, says young people’s dependency on technology leaves them especially vulnerable to online abuse.

“We use social media 95 per cent of the time that we’re on our phones so it has a big impact on young Australians,” she says.

“I think more awareness is needed and more help for kids who do get bullied online. Body image is a big one for girls so that needs more regulation and more information on where to get support and advice.”

Concordia student Gigi is eager to have a fearless conversation about online bullying. Picture: Tom Huntley

She also points to the lasting impact online comments can have on a young person’s employability.

“People do post things that might be mean towards other people and it’s always online, so potential employers in the future can see those.”

Gigi says the university’s initiative provides an opportunity to air concerns and drive change.

“By raising these issues through Fearless Conversations from our Next Generation, there is more acknowledgment of the subject and we can have a positive effect on lives,” she says.

Entries will be sent to Flinders University and shared online via The Advertiser. The judging panel will consist of representatives from Flinders University, The Advertiser and Debating SA.

Flinders University and The Advertiser will work collaboratively with the chosen students in the lead-up to the event. Families and school networks are encouraged to attend.