Vardys Road Public School students learning to be web savvy

VARDYS Road Public School students are learning about the dark underbelly of the world wide web to become responsible internet users.

VARDYS Road Public School students are learning about the dark underbelly of the world wide web to become responsible internet users.

Students squared off in teams of three in a game show-style quiz on Thursday to put their digital knowledge skills to the test.

Year 5-6 teacher David Shaw said the students performed remarkably well.

“The questions ranged from the definition of trolling to what is part of an online scam and cyber bullying,” he said. “It was a really enjoyable morning.”

The Kings Langley school is one of many using the eSmart Digital Licence program. The course was designed by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation after receiving a $1.2 million Google grant.

Shane Treeves from Google at Vardys Road Public School.

The free digital program aims to prepare children aged eight and over on how to face the dangers of being netizens through an interactive online training course.

The charity’s community education adviser Melanie Gillies said it was important to learn because society was increasingly embracing technology.

“It’s part of the everyday normality for kids nowadays,” she said. “(This program) is delivered in a way they can understand and uses age-appropriate language.

“I’m a mum and an ex-teacher and this is a great tool to start a conversation with parents.”

More than 188,000 students across Australia have signed up to use the eSmart Digital Licence since it launched last year.

Greenway federal Labor MP Michelle Rowland cheered on the Vardys Road Public students at the game show and believed it was vital they appreciate all the digital world could offer.

“Children are now more digitally active than ever before so it’s crucial for us as guardians to ensure they are equipped with the know-how to be safe, secure and responsible digital citizens,” she said.