ACMA launches anti-cyberbullying resource

The Australian Communications and Media Authority today launched Let’s Fight It Together, a new teaching resource to combat cyberbullying that will be available free to all schools in Australia.

Let’s Fight It Together is designed with teenagers in classroom situations in mind. The program aims to equip young people with strategies to avoid, get out of or help others deal with cyberbullying behaviour and to show adults how they can help.

‘The impact of cyberbullying— the use of social networking sites, mobile text messages, instant messaging, email and other websites to bully others—can be very damaging, and is becoming a significant issue for children and for schools,’ said Chris Chapman, Chairman of the ACMA.

‘Cyberbullying can be more pernicious than traditional forms of bullying: hostile messages can be sent at any time from any place; they can be sent anonymously and distributed more rapidly to wider audiences. For the target of the cyberbullying, there can be nowhere to run—places previously considered safe and personal are safe no longer.’

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, said educational resources such as Let’s Fight It Together are a key part of the Government’s comprehensive approach to cybersafety.

‘New technologies offer a world of opportunity but it is important that young people are empowered to address issues such as bullying in the online environment. This new resource will help raise awareness while providing important advice and support for young Australians, teachers and parents,’ Senator Conroy said.

Let’s fight It Together is based around a short video story which presents a cyberbullying scenario derived from real experiences of teenagers who have been cyberbullied. The DVD also includes interviews with the characters in the story—teachers, parents and young people—about their perspective on the cyberbullying scenario presented. The accompanying booklet is a comprehensive guide for teachers with lesson plans and activities to help get the most out of the DVD.

The Let’s Fight It Together resource materials have been customised to Australian schools by mapping to Australia’s national Statements of Learning for ICT. It was originally developed by Childnet International and the UK Department for Children Schools and Families where it has received high acclaim. It is also being used by schools in New Zealand and Europe. The resource can not only be used in schools, but also by parents and others involved in the care of children. The ACMA already has orders from over 200 schools for Let’s Fight It Together.

The DVD includes an introduction by Chris Chapman, Chairman of the ACMA, addressing parents and carers on dealing with cyberbullying and vox pops with Australian students discussing their reaction to the cyberbullying scenario and their own experiences with cyberbullying.

The Sydney launch of Let’s Fight It Together was attended by the chief executive officer of Childnet International, Will Gardner, the executive director of Netsafe New Zealand, Martin Cocker, and representatives of Australian education and child welfare bodies.

Schools can order a free copy of the Let’s Fight It Together resource by contacting the Cybersafety Contact Centre on telephone 1800 880 176.

Source: Australian Communications and Media Authority

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