Tasmania Legal Aid launches Being Cyber Safe program to help young people protect their safety online
Tips for how our youngest and most vulnerable residents can protect themselves online and learn the dangers of bullying and sexting will soon be taught in Tasmanian schools. DETAILS >>>
Tasmania
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THE dangers of bullying, the importance of being kind to each other and the perils of sending sexually explicit messages are the focus of a new online safety program for school students.
Tasmania Legal Aid has created Being Cyber Safe, which consists of learning modules that will be rolled out in the state’s schools.
It encourages young people to use technology safely, examines how respect can be used as a counterbalance to bullying, and highlights the dangers of sexting.
The initiative was launched at Montrose Bay High School on Tuesday.
Legal Aid’s Stuart Davey said young people were more active than ever online, including on a multitude of social media platforms.
“In a world of technology there are a lot of dangers and pitfalls that can trip a young person up and make them quite vulnerable,’’ he said.
“This online learning module seeks to inform them and empower them to understand how to use the technology, how to be safe themselves and how to not hurt anyone else online.”
Mr Davey said the program would come with face-to-face delivery to all schools in the state.
Montrose Bay High principal Pieta McKay said educators had concerns about the vulnerability of young people online.
“With any bullying, it can really affect your self esteem and self worth, it can take over your life, it can stop you from sleeping, stop you from eating and make everything feel big,’’ she said.
“So it’s really important we provide young people from a very early age the tools to counterbalance that risk so that they can feel resilient and strong.”
She said she knew of a movement led by young people to spread kindness and post positive comments online instead of hurtful ones.
Year 9 students Caleb Bennett and Amber Lockley use various social media platforms, including Facebook, Snapchat and TikTok.
“I’ve learnt some important things about how you have to be safe, and to make sure you have security on all your devices,’’ Caleb said.
“It’s fairly important because someone can easily hack into your account if you don’t have it locked.”
Amber said young people could protect themselves by keeping their social media accounts private.
Originally published as Tasmania Legal Aid launches Being Cyber Safe program to help young people protect their safety online
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