Cybersmart encourages Indigenous Australians to “Be Deadly Online”
Today the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s Cybersmart program launched Australia’s first comprehensive package of cybersafety resources for Indigenous communities.
Tackling cyberbullying, sexting and digital footprint management, Be Deadly Online responds to Indigenous community leaders’ concerns about the impact of social media on family and community relationships and on young people themselves by offering positive, practical advice on playing smart online.
The program is made up of a series of short animations, posters and a behind-the scenes ‘making of’ video, all hosted on a specially-created portal within the Cybersmart website. It was created with major contributions from a number of Indigenous communities across Australia, including Yarrabah in Tropical North Queensland, regional Victoria and the Mid West Gasgoyne region in Western Australia.
‘Indigenous communities’ stories about how social media use has affected their lives—in positive and negative ways—are at the heart of Be Deadly Online,’’ said Richard Bean ACMA Deputy Chairman and Cybersafety spokesman.
‘Online business is everyone’s business, so Be Deadly Online has been created so that anyone from a 12 year old, to a community leader, to police, educators and parents can use the resources in the way that suits them and their needs.’
The pilot program of Be Deadly Online has already been well-received, with positive initial results reinforcing Cybersmart’s evidence-based approach to cybersafety education.
Bernadine Yeatman, Head of Department for Yarrabah State School said, “You mob, if you want to be deadly, you’ve got to be Cybersmart online.”
“Cybersmart Champions remember that online business is everyone’s business. They remember that their digital footprint can either build up their community’s reputation or tear it down. Cybersmart Champions always respect themselves, others and their culture when online,” she said.
‘This is about community taking control rather than us imposing a one-size-fits-all solution, Richard Bean said. ‘Be Deadly Online has been created by and for Indigenous communities across Australia and the ACMA is proud to be part of a positive way forward with cybersafety education.’
The launch will be webcast live from 10.10am, Friday 4th April at http://www.acma.gov.au/live
More information and access the Be Deadly Online resources are available here.
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact: Gretchen Martins, Senior Communications Advisor on (03) 9963 6801, 0404 836 636 or
Making communications and media work in Australia’s public interest.
| acma.gov.au
ACMA Media Release[No.] /2009
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