Senator Catryna Bilyk
Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Cybersafety
Senator for Tasmania

Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity

Primary school students have their say at the 2012 Cybersafety Summit

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and the Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Cybersafety, Senator Catryna Bilyk, have congratulated the students who participated in today's Cybersafety Summit in Melbourne.

The Summit, hosted for primary school members of the Youth Advisory Group on Cybersafety (YAG), provided students, and their parents and teachers, with an opportunity to share their online experiences and insights with the government and industry representatives.

“The internet has become an essential part of our lives. It’s a gateway to education, research, health, and socialising. But these benefits can only be realised fully if the online world is as safe and secure as possible, particularly for our children," Senator Conroy said.

Senator Bilyk addressed the Summit, saying “I congratulate the students involved for giving their time to work with us and help build a safer online environment.

“This year, 1,887 students representing 190 schools from across Australia participated in the YAG, including 1,078 primary schools students. Students have shared their online experiences on issues including cyberbullying, privacy and online gaming.”

Special guest speaker and respected child psychologist, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, said “By including primary students, parents and teachers in the summit, the Government is showing its clear commitment to work with all stakeholders to build as safe an online world as possible.”

At the Summit Senator Bilyk was joined by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Deputy Chair, Richard Bean, to launch a new cybersafety game, Zippep’s Astro Circus.

“This game gives children between five and seven years old the opportunity to learn about cybersafety with their parents when they are just starting out in the online world. The game and the supporting educational resources acknowledge that children are going online at a younger age than ever before and need the tools to help keep them safe," Senator Bilyk said.

Popular television personality Kayne Tremills hosted the event, with industry experts from Moshi Monsters, McAfee, ACMA and the Australian Federal Police conducting workshops with Summit attendees.

Advice received from YAG members throughout the year will be used to inform government policy and build on cybersafety initiatives, like the Cybersafety Help Button and Easy Guide to Socialising Online. Consultations with secondary students in the YAG were also held earlier in the year.

Date: 24 October 2012
Contact: Adam Sims (Senator Conroy) 0408 258 457
Daniel Hulme (Senator Bilyk) 0447 000 867

Register your school’s interest in the 2013 YAG program at www.dbcde.gov.au/yag

For more information on the government’s cybersafety plan visit www.dbcde.gov.au/cybersafetyplan

Download the Cybersafety Help Button at www.dbcde.gov.au/helpbutton

Visit the Easy Guide to Socialising Online at www.dbcde.gov.au/easyguide

ACMA’s new Zippep’s Astro Circus is available at www.cybersmart.gov.au

Find out how to protect yourself better online at www.staysmartonline.gov.au