Cybersafety in Schools National Pilot Announced

Media Release, The Hon. Julia Gillard, MP, and The Hon. Kate Ellis , MP, 2 August 2009

Ms Julia Gillard, the Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, along with Kate Ellis, the Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth, have announced a new, nation-wide pilot project to address cyberbullying in schools.

Approximately 150 government, Catholic and independent schools in urban, rural and remote areas across Australia will participate in the $3 million pilot project.

The project, which will be developed and conducted by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation (AMF), will run until 30 April 2010, and focus on key concerns, such as: ‘safety issues in e-communications’ and ‘the effectiveness of existing cybersafety programs in schools’.

Recently released research by the Australian Government shows that the ‘prevalence and impact of covert bullying in Australian schools is under-reported and that there has been a concerning increase in cyberbullying’. The research also showed that ‘with the emergence of new technologies cyberbullying after school has become a serious issue for many young people’.

On completion of the pilot project, AMF will provide the Australian Government with a report on their findings and present further recommendations. The pilot project’s outcomes will also be used by the Australian Government to review the National Safe Schools Framework (NSSF).

Further information about the review and the current NSSF can be accessed from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website.

 

 

Back to News Page