• Managing education and business online safety

    Managing education and business online safety is hugely important. According to eSafety research, one in five young Australians aged 8 to 17 years reported being socially excluded, threatened or abused online. A Psychology Today report suggests up to 15% of adults have experienced cyber-bullying in some form.

    Parents, schools and businesses have an important role to play to ensure that staff, students, and employees are safe from bullying behaviour. This is especially relevant for boarding schools, home-schooling, and online school educators, where many rural, regional and remote students spend their school terms.

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  • Tips for managing online safety

    Tip Description
    Clearly define inappropriate online behaviour Educate individuals through workshops or training sessions on what constitutes inappropriate online behaviour and the consequences thereof.
    Establish consequences for inappropriate behaviour Implement and enforce clear consequences for inappropriate online behaviour to deter future incidents.
    Set rules for online resource usage Establish clear rules governing the use of online resources, including social media, forums, and comment sections, and communicate them regularly to staff, students, parents, and employees.
    Bring in cyber-safety experts Invite experts to provide insights and guidance on cyber-safety practices through presentations or workshops for staff, students, employees, and parents.
    Consider restrictions on resource usage during school or work hours Evaluate the necessity of limiting access to certain online resources during school or work hours to minimise distractions and ensure productivity.
    Be mindful of age restrictions Educators should be aware of age restrictions on platforms requiring account creation, such as social media sites and forums, to ensure compliance with age-appropriate usage.
    Appoint cyber safety officers Designate cyber safety officers within staff who can provide assistance, including anonymously, for addressing online issues and promoting a safe online environment.
    Discourage use of anonymous apps Encourage students to avoid using anonymous apps that lack registration requirements to mitigate risks associated with anonymity.
    Provide training on identifying dangerous apps Offer training to staff, employees, students, and parents on identifying and avoiding dangerous or unsafe apps commonly used by individuals.
    Maintain ongoing communication on social media usage Foster open dialogue with staff, employees, students, and parents to discuss both positive and negative aspects of social media use, promoting responsible online behaviour.
    Implement processes for addressing mental health issues Establish training and procedures to recognize and respond to early signs of mental health issues among staff, employees, or students manifested through online behaviour.
    Utilise parental monitoring resources for computers and devices (Educators) Educators should familiarise themselves with parental monitoring tools for computers and devices and utilise them appropriately to safeguard students’ online activities.

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