Clifton Hill Primary School today hosted the Australian launch of Safer Internet Day 2019, with students pledging their commitment to the 4Rs – respect, resilience, responsibility and reasoning – by placing a symbolic handprint on a mural reflecting these values.
Principal of Clifton Hill Primary School, Megan Smith, said the school is proud of the way students and teachers model the 4Rs every day in school life.
“Today, Safer Internet Day, is a reminder to us that we should be modelling these values online, not just in the real world,” she explained.
The school’s Year 6 students also heard from Julie Inman-Grant, Australian eSafety Commissioner, and the world’s first e-safety commissioner. The Office of the eSafety Commissioner is responsible for Safer Internet Day in Australia.
“The 4Rs for the digital age are increasingly important as technology becomes ingrained in your everyday lives,” Julie told the students.
“We want the Internet to be a safer, kinder place. As grade 6s you have a responsibility to model these behaviours and help teach younger kids how to use the Internet safely.”
A young polar explorer’s experiences online
Jade Hameister, polar explorer, Year 11 Melbourne student and Safer Internet Day Ambassador, spoke of her personal experiences online.
At just 17, and with the North Pole, Greenland Crossing and South Pole solo expeditions under her belt, Jade has a large online profile.
“I’ve received some nasty comments on social media,” she said. “This got worse as my online profile grew.”
These comments included a sexist campaign by online bullies repeatedly telling her to ‘make me a sandwich’ in attempt to belittle her achievements.
This disrespect, Jade said, only built her resilience and her sense of responsibility to help improve the online confidence of other young people.
“I want to see the Internet and social media used as a way to make a better world,” she explained. “I want to see a shift in focus to what we can do rather than what we look like.”
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner is running Safer Internet Day events and activities over the next few days. Resources to help schools embrace safety online are also available. Visit Safer Internet Day
Your Digital Power in the DET virtual classroom
The Department today hosted a Safer Internet Day Your Digital Power virtual classroom session focused on creating positive online communities. More than 2,500 students from primary schools across the state participated.
A second virtual classroom will be held on Thursday 7 February.
Register your year 4 to 6 classes at Your Digital Power
Bouncing Back from Online Bullying in the DET virtual classroom
On March 20 and 21 the Department, in partnership with the Office of the eSafety Commissioner, will host a presentation for years 4 to 6 focused on strategies for building digital resilience.
Register at Bouncing Back from Online Bullying
