NSW primary schools to get ACMA cybersafety program

The Australian Communications and Media Authority will extend its primary school-focused Cybersmart Detectives program to NSW as part of tomorrow’s Safer Internet Day ‘celebrations’.

The programme runs weekly in primary schools in Queensland, WA and Victoria.

Under the scheme, children work in teams, online and in real time, to investigate and solve an Internet-themed problem.

Each is said to play a central role in the activity, uncovering clues and making suggestions about how a student at their school should deal with online deception and bullying.

Teams try to solve the mystery of what is worrying the student, and why. As the scenario unfolds, participants discuss the risks of online and offline behaviours and how to manage risks, ACMA said.

Participating NSW schools are International Grammar School; Pretty Beach Public School; St Michael's Primary School, Thirroul; The Coast Christian School; Toronto Public School; Pymble Ladies' College; Abbotsleigh Anglican School; Umina Public School; and Methodist Ladies College, Burwood.

The authority said that it will make the program available to all states and territories this year.

And it will participate in online forums on cyber-bullying, including in the teen social networking site Habbo Hotel, as part of its Safer Internet Day.

Safer Internet Day is an initiative of the European Internet safety network, and was launched in 2004.