On Tuesday 11 February we had Safer Internet Day. As the official committee in Australia and a leader in the global effort, eSafety celebrates the day as one of the most important events of the year and this the 22nd year. This is supported by the Australian Government through the eSafety Commissioner. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about the role we can all play in creating a better internet and how to utilise it in a safe manner.

Safer Internet Day is a way of dealing with internet safety and is something parents, young people and the entire community need to commit to if we are to promote the positive use of technology in our communities. The internet can be an amazing resource! Used wisely, it can open up a world of information, connectedness and learning, but… with these benefits come serious and real dangers such as exposure to inappropriate content, cyber-bullying, and the anxiety that can arise from constantly being connected.

Throughout this week the College has been engaged with a variety of age-appropriate activities to raise awareness of how to use and navigate the internet in a safe manner. We will also encounter ways in which students can identify dangers and what their rights and responsibilities are. Students have been encouraged to report suspicious or inappropriate behaviours and who they are able to speak to about this.

During our parent information evenings for Junior School parents on Monday, and Secondary School parents on Tuesday, we had a guest speaker – Adair Donaldson (watch video below) who addressed current trends and issues and what we can do. Adair is a lawyer and educator and quite prolific in the area of student and teacher education. Adair focuses his expertise on assisting people to move from the challenges of the past to opportunities of the future. He covered some really pertinent societal issues for parents raising children and their progression into their adolescent years, including some of the dangers to be aware of. Topics were smart phone usage, social media, the use of AI for the wrong reasons, real life scenarios and the consequences which can result with misuse. The purpose of these parent information sessions was to create awareness to current trends in the digital world.

Therefore, across the College our focus is not only on the specific ‘Safer Internet Day’ but ensuring we have aligned contemporary practices across the College which cater for our student needs and offer opportunities for parents to be informed of how they can also help, which was addressed by our guest speaker at our parent information evenings on Monday and Tuesday.

As a college community, we need to continue to work together to make every day a Safer Internet Day! That is why the Safer Internet Day’s theme in 2025 is ‘Together for a better Internet’.

Safer Internet Day Media Release

Simon Edgar | Head of Junior School