Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SENATE

Youth Advisory Group to guide Government on cyber-safety

School students from across Australia will participate in the Rudd Governments Youth Advisory Group on Cyber-Safety, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, announced today.

"Young Australians are well immersed in the digital world. They understand the great potential of the internet and are perfectly positioned to guide the development of effective responses to cyber-safety risks," Senator Conroy said.

"I am delighted to welcome the participation of 15 schools in the Youth Advisory Group on Cyber-Safety. I am positive this experience will be rewarding for their students and I look forward to hearing their comments."

The Youth Advisory Group on Cyber-Safety will begin in the first half of 2009.

The group will consider and communicate to Government, cyber-safety risks faced by Australian children, how best to address these and how to communicate cyber-safety messages to other young Australians.

"Students from these schools will have the opportunity to advise the Government on cyber-safety issues currently faced by their peers," Senator Conroy said.

• The Government committed funding of $125.8 million over four years in the 2008-09 Budget for a comprehensive cyber-safety plan including:
• education,
• law enforcement,
• content filtering,
• research, and
• international cooperation.

"This is just one of a number of Government initiatives aimed at creating a safer online environment for all Australian children," Senator Conroy said.

The 15 schools taking part in the Youth Advisory Group on Cyber-Safety represent a cross section of the Australian community covering all states and territories.

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Date: 8 December 2008
Contact: Tim Marshall 0408 258 457

Schools participating in the Youth Advisory Group on Cyber-Safety