More than 1,600 Tasmanian students have received digital safety training as research reveals the state has Australia’s highest exposure to bullying in Australia.
The Optus Digital Thumbprint Program visited six schools, educating years 5-12 students about online safety, scams and artificial intelligence risks.
Students at John Paul II Catholic College, Lauderdale Primary School, Northern Christian School, Southern Christian College, Taroona High School and Tasman District School participated in the workshops.
“It’s really important that we’re educating our young people right across the state of Tasmania,” Jayson Grool, Optus’ local general manager said.
“Often young people can be quite isolated, so they may be spending more time online, so we’ve really got to be cautious and considerate of our young Tasmanians.”
He said Tasmania’s geography may contribute to higher online risks, with rural students potentially spending more time online due to isolation.
The concerning statistic that Tasmania has the highest rate of bullying comes from research by the Australian Council for Educational Research.
Grool said the program, running since 2013, has educated nearly 750,000 students nationwide.
“It’s not only about social media, it also talks about gaming and all those other types of programs as well where young people are active online,” he said.
He said the biggest challenges facing students included identifying scams and misinformation online, plus knowing when to seek help during cyberbullying incidents.
“A lot of young people were talking about interactions they’ve witnessed and how they’ve stepped in to support someone being bullied,” Grool said.
The program teaches students that online actions today can impact future career opportunities, encouraging them to build positive digital footprints.
Students learned to remove themselves from harmful situations and escalate concerns to trusted adults when necessary.
