Cyber smart learning puts Andrea on the right track
Parenting children in our rapidly evolving digital world is challenging. Technology is everywhere – it’s a powerful tool for learning, play and connection – but helping kids use it safely and wisely is more important than ever. So too, is striking a healthy balance between screen time and green time.
When 9-year-old Andrea joined Life Ed’s bCyberwise session at her school in the small Central Queensland town of Biloela, she came away with valuable new skills – from handling cyberbullying to safer ways to use her device.
Her mum, Angela, said Andrea couldn’t wait to share what she’d learned; vital strategies that the Year 3 student continues to apply every day.
“The session led to lots of chats about being safe online, being kind and knowing when to speak up. Andrea remembered a lot and kept referring to the program over the following days,” Angela said.
“Learning that the online world isn’t always safe and that being kind online matters, really stuck with her.”
While new social media laws in Australia now limit children and teens from creating or accessing social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and YouTube, young people still have access to apps such as Steam, Roblox, WhatsApp and Messenger.
This makes early digital education crucial – empowering kids to stay safe and know how to act if they encounter something worrying online.
According to the eSafety Commissioner cyberbullying remains a persistent threat to young people – with 36 per cent experiencing bullying on social media, another 36 per cent encountering online bullying on messaging apps and 26 per cent bullied via online gaming platforms – demonstrating that this type of behaviour can migrate to wherever kids are online. Unwanted contact from strangers is also a risk, with the agency reporting 55 per cent of children had communicated with someone they first met online.
“Andrea now thinks before sending messages and sometimes checks with me first. She’s using her iPad less, is more cautious online, and knows to step away or tell an adult of something doesn’t feel right.
“She’s more open about what she’s doing online and more aware of her screen time. It gives me peace of mind knowing she has tools to make good choices. This program helps kids understand that online isn’t always safe – and gives them simple, practical ways to make better choices both online and offline.”
To find out more about our parent support programs and the new social media restrictions, head to the Life Ed Queensland website.
