The Australian Government is deeply concerned about the emergence of cyber-bullying in our schools and the impact it is having on students. All the research tells us cyber-bullying is on the increase and is under-reported. The aim of this pilot is to provide teachers and school leaders with a range of tools to help them deal with bullying.
On the 10 February, 2010, the Minister for Education, Julia Gillard,
announced in a media release that 164 schools have been selected to take part in a national pilot project to address cyber-safety.

The Australian Government is providing $3 million for the world-first cyber safety initiative that will run until April 2010. 

Schools participating in the project will implement policies and practices to support the smart, safe and responsible use of technology. They will be provided with web resources designed to help them create an approach to cyber-safety that meets their own specific needs.

The project will help clarify the role that schools play in ensuring responsible and safe use of technology.

The pilot aims to:

  • Make cyber-safety an integral part of student wellbeing practices in schools
  • Improve the curriculum in relation to cyber-safety
  • Increase the skill and confidence of teachers to confront cyber-safety issues
  • Help schools work with parents and the community to keep children safe.

Research determined the development of content of the programs. The outcomes of th epilot will be evaluated and used to inform the Government’s review of the National Safe Schools Framework (NSSF), due to finish in June 2010. 

The Rudd Government has already started engaging with young people to address cyber bullying through the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) which provides advice to the Government on a range of cyber safety issues including cyber bullying, mobile phone safety, social networking sites, privacy and online computer games from a young person’s perspective. The cyber-safety pilot will incorporate feedback from the YAG.