SA school TikTok scandal: Online bullying recommendations not implemented

Four months after they were delivered to the state’s Education Department, recommendations to protect students from online, gendered abuse have not been implemented.

The Education Department has not implemented three recommendations to protect school students from online bullying and harassment.

The recommendations were detailed by Children and Young People Commissioner Helen Connolly in February, just months before SA state schools were hit with a swath of controversies.

An Education Department spokeswoman said the report was handed down under the previous state government and as there was now a new department head, the document needed to be re-assessed.

The inaction comes after several state high schools were engulfed in a disturbing TikTok trend rating female students as young as 13 and sharing photos of their bodies, names and faces online.

In light of the online videos, Ms Connolly her recommendations would better protect students from online, gendered bullying and harassment.

Education Department chief executive Professor Martin Westwell, Children and Young People Commissioner Helen Connolly and Education Minister Blair Boyer. Pictures: File

They included reviewing existing policies to ensure they specifically addressed sexism, sexual harassment and gender based bullying; ensuring pre-service and practising teachers were supported; and having all schools review existing procedures for reporting and resolving incidents of sexism and gender based bullying and sexual harassment against the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

“Schools have a responsibility to deliver environments that address and prevent safety concerns,” she said.

“Supporting schools to address risk factors and to deliver skills-based learning to students can have an impact on gender stereotypes, sexism and sexual harassment, and it is this that should be the focus of our efforts.

“Adopting policies and a school culture that promotes equality and inclusion at every year level is what will bring about change.

“Cyber-safety education must definitely be part of the solution along with social media companies willing to play their part in ensuring safe online environments for children and young people.”

In response to the TikTok videos, Premier Peter Malinauskas said combating cyber bullying was a presenting major policy challenges to the government

The Education Department has repeatedly said schools were only able to “respond to issues that they are aware of”.

“We would encourage anyone who is aware of school-related bullying to report it to the relevant school’s leadership team,” an Education Department spokeswoman said.

The spokeswoman said the department’s policies and curriculum were “subject to constant review and adjustment to ensure best practise”.

Golden Grove High School student Ella Barry and her mum Yvonne talking about a TikTok videos rating students from the school. Picture: Brenton Edwards

She said department initiatives were in place, including targeting bullying prevention with specific content on gender diverse students and improving resources on how to respond to “harmful sexual behaviour”.

All schools across the country are also in the process of implementing consent and respectful relationships curriculum – an addition approved by SA Education Minister Blair Boyer.

Ms Connolly’s report summarised responses to bullying and harassment given by female students.

“Young women said they were concerned about bullying and image-based abuse, sexual violence and harassment at high school and they wanted action to be taken by their school to make changes that will ensure everyone feels safe at all times,” she wrote.

“Currently, sexism is too often considered a normal part of school culture with numerous incidents that go unreported. This is mainly due to a belief that nothing can or will be done.”