eSafety news

Support students manage online risks, stay safer online and seek help 

Since the Social Media Minimum Age legislation came into effect in December, major social media platforms have removed access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children under 16.  

To support you, your students and your school community with the change, we have a new suite of practical resources. These are designed to help under‑16s manage online risks, stay safer online, and know when and how to get help. 

On our website, you’ll find: 

• Supporting digital literacy for under-16s page filled with advice and resources guided by Element 4 of the Best Practice Framework for Online Safety Education. 
• Classroom resources and lesson ideas, including a range of digital literacy activities for Foundation-Year 12 classes. 
• Toolkit for Schools: use the ‘Prepare’ element to help your school assess its readiness to deal with online safety issues. The ‘Respond’ element will help your school assess and respond to online incidents and guidance to minimise harm and support student wellbeing.  
• The Social Media Age Restrictions hub with a dedicated and regularly updated page specifically for educators, including updated responses to frequently asked questions.   
• Our whole-school approach to online safety education, including social and emotional learning. It goes beyond lessons for each year level and class, integrating teachable moments across the curriculum, which are embedded in routines and extracurricular activities.