The Alannah and Madeline Foundation has launched an online challenge to help children aged 10 years and over, to be 'smart, safe and responsible digital citizens'.
The challenge will give children a 'licence' to use the internet safely. This is an interesting initiative which may yet prove to become the standard in e-safety education.
What is it?
According to the fact sheet, the eSmart Digital Licence uses quizzes, videos and games as part of eight learning modules which help children to 'evaluate comprehension of key technology and cyber safety topics and equip [them] with the knowledge and skills they require to learn, play and socialise online'. Each module takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and addresses key issues such as 'Communicating Safely Online' and 'Friends and Strangers'.
Google has provided $1.2 million in funding towards the initiative and the Digital Licence will be made available to every year 6 student in 2015. The Digital Licence will be accessible for free for year 6 students from the Digital Licence website www.digitallicence.com.au. The Digital Licence can also be purchased by parents and teachers of students in other year levels.
Some background
The risks associated with children socialising, playing on and generally using, the internet are well-documented. We have written several articles on the topic of cyber-bullying and various measures being taken to try and combat it. The Digital Licence is designed to give children, and their parents, the skills to identify and manage online risks. Helping parents to educate and equip themselves with the skills to help their children with online safety issues, the Digital Licence aims to prompt conversations between parents and children about 'what's going on in the online world'.
Dr Judith Slocombe, CEO of the Foundation, said 'it is so important for adults to have regular conversations about what’s going on in their child’s online world. We know that almost nine in every ten 10-11 year olds say parents are their first port of call when they have an online safety issue. However, many parents feel ill-equipped to advise their children and say they need support'.
The Foundation recommends that parents encourage their children to complete the Digital Licence before they have access to a digital device and/or the internet.
What is the government doing to improve cyber-safety?
The Digital Licence initiative is an example of an innovative approach by a not-for-profit initiative (supported by funding from Google) that may come to be the norm in schools, just as today's students once had to acquire a pen licence.
The Federal Government is also working to enhance online safety for children. Earlier this week the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Communications, issued a press release with several important updates on what the Federal Government is doing to deliver on its election commitment to tackle cyber-bullying.
Actions by the Federal Government include:
- promoting international Safer Internet Day which was held on 10 February 2015; and
- continuing to debate the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Bill 2014 (Cth) (the Online Safety Bill) which will establish, among other things, the office of the Children's E-Safety Commissioner.
As part of its Safer Internet Day initiatives, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) used the Cybersmart website to promote various activities and resources for schools and parents to engage with.
The Sydney Morning Herald has also published an interesting article on the status of cyber-safety laws around the world and why introducing the E-Safety Commissioner in Australia is a positive step towards solving online bullying.
Other upcoming events relating to online safety and security are:
Is your school planning to celebrate these events?
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