NSW Government website aims to help make good digital citizens

A recent report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics found 90% of children spend at least one hour a week on screen-based activities, with a rise in children spending more than 20 hours a week online. The NSW Department of Education’s Cyber Security branch has partnered with the NSW Department of Customer Service to deliver the new Digital Citizenship website.

The Department’s Chief Information Officer, Charlie Sukkar, said the new website provides practical advice for students, teachers, parents and carers on how young people could manage their digital footprint, protect their privacy, maintain respectful behaviours and make informed decisions online.

“Young people can make mistakes, and we know what happens on the internet can stay there forever and be amplified for all to see,” he said. “15% of young people have received threats or abuse online, and 60% of parents say that their child is exposed to risks from being online. This website is about equipping students with skills so they can conduct themselves respectfully and responsibly online.

“Educating our young people on how to navigate the dangers of online spaces is a vital life skill, especially as more and more of our lives are being spent online.”

The resource will support teachers, parents and carers to start conversations with young people on the basics of digital citizenship, including being creative and collaborative, gaming safely, using social media wisely, sharing mindfully and managing time online.

In October last year, the NSW Government introduced a mobile phone ban in public school classrooms to help students focus on their education and remove digital distraction. Most parents believe the change has had a positive impact on student concentration (79%) and on academic performance (70%).

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