A suite of eLearning tools to help schools keep children safe online will be funded in the 2022-23 Federal Budget to be delivered next week.
The Albanese Government says it will provide $6 million over three years for eLearning tools to be delivered by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation (AMF).
The package will include:
- The eSmart Digital Licence+ for students aged 10 to 14 to learn how to meet the demands and challenges of the digital world.
- The eSmart Media Literacy Lab for secondary school students aged 12 to 16 to help support the development of critical thinking skills and online civic engagement.
- A new eSmart Junior Digital Licence+ for primary students aged 5 to 9 years. This will support the increasing number of young children who are active online, particularly since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
These resources will make digital literacy programs freely available to all schools, not just those that can afford them.
They will help Australian students develop the skills they need to be critical, responsible and active citizens online.
Poor digital technology skills can lead to young people falling victim to online harms. Children should be empowered to become respectful and resilient digital citizens, with education and learning a key part of achieving this goal.
The ACCC’s Digital Platforms Inquiry report recommended improving digital media literacy education in Australian schools, to help children to critically assess the news and content they see online.
A range of free online and interactive resources are currently available through the eSafety Commissioner to respond to cyberbullying, online abuse, managing exposure to harmful online content and other online safety issues.
Support is also available for parents and carers to help them navigate online safety issues that their children may experience. These resources can be accessed at www.esafety.gov.au
