eSmart Accreditation (Alannah & Madeline Foundation)
eSmart helps schools effectively manage cybersafety and deal with cyberbullying and bullying. The national roll out of eSmart to all Australian schools is under way, following the successful pilot in 2010.
The Telstra Foundation funding supported The Alannah and Madeline Foundation to work with RMIT University’s School of Education Consultancy and Development Unit to develop a framework schools could use to implement strategies for improving cyber-safety and wellbeing.Schools progressing through the framework would be ‘accredited’ for the cyber-safety practice.
Telstra Foundation funding assisted with the pre-development research, the work to write the framework, build the supporting eSmart website and run the intensive trial with 28 schools to test both the framework and the website. Late into the project, the Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) saw the potential of eSmart and decided to invest $3 million to pilot eSmart in 150 schools around the country. In 2010, the the Victorian Government committed $10.6 million to roll out the program across more than 1,800 Victorian schools and 2011 the Queensland Government announced implementation of eSmart across Queensland schools.
Website: www.esmartschools.org.au and www.amf.org.au/eSmart
http://www.amf.org.au/Assets/Files/eSmart_ SchoolsDL_web.pdf
Superclubsplus (Intuitive Media)
SuperClubsPLUS Australia is a fully moderated social learning network that teaches six to twelve year old children how to be safe online. While the website is both fun and educational, it also teaches children how to keep themselves safe online, with 95 per cent of kids on SuperClubsPLUS learning and practising ‘safe online’ behaviours no matter where they go on the internet. Students can upload media, publish articles, build personalised web pages, run their own clubs, complete projects, join discussion forums, chat with friends, and participate in ‘Hot Seats’.
In 2010 SuperClubsPLUS is partnered with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) so that all ‘superclubbers’ achieve their advanced ‘Super Cyber Smart Badge’ and Certificate, and become fully accredited by ACMA.
Telstra Foundation’s commitment: $1,044,462 over two years to September 2010, with a further $498,052 to December 2011.
Website: http://www.scplus.com
Project evaluation (2010): http:// www.scplus.com/d/sites/default/files/superclubsplus_eval-fullreport_v25_final.pdf
Developing Ethical Digital Citizens (Centacare Loddon Mallee Cyber Safety Project)
The Developing Ethical Digital Citizens project conducted by the Centacare Sandhurst Loddon Mallee Cyber Safety Project surveyed students, teachers and parents to examine factors relating to cyber-safety. The data now assists schools and community groups to inform policies and practices.
The project recently conducted focus groups with senior students to explore the issue of internet pornography on adolescent relationships, and from their responses created the film “Impression that you get”. Student feedback has indicated that the film captures the culture that exists.
Telstra Foundation’s commitment: $270,000 over three years to December 2011.
Project overview and online version of final reports: www.cybersafekids.com. au/2011/05/welcome-to-the-loddon-malleecybersafety- project/
Cyber Friendly Parent’ Project (Edith Cowan University)
Part of a world-first study into cyber-bullying, the Cyber Friendly Parents’ Project highlights the need for a whole of community response to increasing cyber-safety and reducing cyber-bullying among young people.
Exhaustive research undertaken by the Edith Cowan University’s project team determined the most effective ways to engage parents to increase their own knowledge of cyber-safety and assist their child to prevent and respond to cyber-bullying. Research included a review of current cyber-bullying literature and resources, parent surveys and focus groups, and consultations with students, including two Cyber Friendly Student Summits. The resulting resource materials are underpinned by the research findings that a collaborative and coordinated response that is consistent between students, parents and school staff is key to success.
Parents involved in the project had access to a range of resources including a purpose-built website, www.cyberfriendly.com.au, to help them understand and engage with cyber-bullying issues. Materials included family newsletters explaining digital reputations, cyber-bullying, cyber-safety and the law, and the use of friends lists on social networking sites. A Family Quiz Activities booklet was also developed and used in conjunction with the website, which houses the latest research findings and articles regarding cyber-bullying and cyber-safety.
Parents also took part in student-led workshops that looked at forms of cyber-bullying, statistics and definitions for bullying and cyber-bullying, parent responses to cyber-bullying, preventative strategies, and how to communicate with young people about cyber-safety. The final step in the project has been to empirically test the suite of parent resources to assess their relevance and usefulness as a practical tool to assist in a whole of school approach to cyber-bullying prevention. The findings will help drive the broader Cyber Friendly Schools Project, which is currently underway.
Telstra Foundation’s commitment: $341,000 over three years to December 2011.
Website: www.cyberfriendly.com.au
Cyber Friendly Schools Project (PEET) evaluation report: http://chpru.ecu.edu.au/ assets/documents/Cyber-Friendly-Schools- Project-(PEET)-Final-Report-May-2010.pdf
Smart Online Safe Offline – SOSO (Napcan)
The Smart Online Safe Offline (SOSO) program’s website and resources are successfully educating children aged nine to 14 about the dangers of disclosing too much personal information on social networking websites and how to counteract online ‘grooming’. The National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect’s program also provides cyber- safety education and support to parents, teachers and the community.
SOSO is a unique social initiative that brings together community, government and the digital media industry as partners to deliver online campaigns.
Telstra Foundation’s commitment: $534,000 over three years to December 2011.
Website: www.soso.org.au
Technology Roundtable (Inspire Foundation)
Co-chaired by the Telstra Foundation and the Inspire Foundation, the Technology and Wellbeing Roundtable brings together over a dozen key influencers in academic, corporate, non-profit and government sectors across Australia.
Established in 2008, the roundtable presents a unique forum to discuss, investigate and promote evidence-based and best practice approaches to young people’s engagement with technology. Participants also advocate for increased access for young people to the resources, social supports and learning opportunities delivered through technology.
A recent survey revealed that participation in the roundtable has opened up and strengthened sector networks. In all, eight of the 15 core members reported that their participation had led to partnerships with fellow member organisations.
Greater access to current research and best practice approaches to delivering programs has also been experienced. Additionally, through Roundtable meetings and informal networking opportunities, the roundtable has opened new communication channels between sectors, for example the Australian Research Council funded Project Young People, Technology, and Wellbeing Research Facility led by the University of Western Sydney and the recently established Cooperative Research Centre for Young People, Technology and Wellbeing.
Telstra Foundation commitment: $145,000 over one year to December 2010.
Website: www.inspire.org.au
Benetwise (Berry Street)
Berry Street’s BeNetWise program supports a proactive approach by welfare agencies in addressing the digital divide experienced by the children and young people in the out-of-home care and alternative education sectors who have a lack of access to digital technology.
Extensive consultation and research around digital technology and cyber-safety has given Berry Street a significant knowledge base to share with staff, carers and educators, as well as young people themselves.
Telstra Foundation’s commitment: $206,750 over one year to December 2011.
Website: www.berrystreet.org.au/BeNetWise
Websmarts Project (Student Youth Network)
SYN’s websmarts project has explored how increased digital literacy and media education can assist young people in navigating the online world. Findings highlighted the need for young people to be actively engaged in new media channels and to be allowed to facilitate a flexible discussion around issues that young people can identify with. As part of the project, SYN also produced a series of online resources focusing on social networking; online legal issues, online communities and internet crime that were broadcast on radio and television and made available online.
Telstra Foundation’s commitment: $80,000 over two years to December 2010.
Website: http://syn.org.au/program/websmarts