- Monday 05 February 2018
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Theme: Create, connect and share respect: A better Internet starts with you
Digital natives can use technology with the simplest of ease, but do they know how to be cyber safe and use technology in a positive and respectful way? Talking to children explicitly about the safety and ethical issues that go along with the digital age of communication is a necessity, especially with the increasing occurrence of cyberbullying.
A global day that celebrates Safer Internet Day provides the perfect opportunity to kickstart some important conversations. This day has been around for over 10 years and more than 100 countries are involved in the initiative.
Lesson ideas
Being safe and respectful on the internet is entwined into our curriculum to ensure that it is a skill that is taught and practised. There are many ways to engage students to learn about eSafety and many resources to help you do this.
- As a starting point, check out the Office of the eSafety Commissioner website
- Take a quiz as a class, for those aged between 8–13, or a quiz for 6+
- Combine a lesson in coding with eSafety and get students to create a game, app or computer drawing through one of these courses
Five quick tips for students to be safe online
- Remind students they are interacting with real people—would you say what you wrote to a person's face? Would it past the Nanna test, as the eSafety Commissioner would say?
- Respect people's privacy and always get their permission before posting or tagging them in photos and videos. Never share your passwords or other people's passwords.
- Don't get angry online if you receive nasty messages or don't agree with what someone has said. Try to stay calm and don't reply straight away.
- Can your message be taken the wrong way? Add emojis to make the meaning clearer.
- Know that what you send is public and could be around for a long time—so think before you post.
Links to the curriculum
Digital Technologies processes and production skills
Foundation – Year 2
Explore how people safely use common information systems to meet information, communication and recreation needs (ACTDIP005) 
Create and organise ideas and information using information systems independently and with others, and share these with known people in safe online environments (ACTDIP006)
Year 3–4
Plan, create and communicate ideas and information independently and with others, applying agreed ethical and social protocols (ACTDIP013)
Years 5–6
Plan, create and communicate ideas and information, including collaboratively online, applying agreed ethical, social and technical protocols (ACTDIP022)
R.I.C publish a range of cyber world resources in print and ebook format.
Click on the covers below to view the range.
