Deputy Principal
MissKristen Waldron
Cyber Safety Expert Visits the College
The College was thrilled to welcome renowned Cyber Safety Expert Susan MacLean to speak with our students on Tuesday. With 27 years of experience in the police force and over 30 years as a passionate advocate for protecting adolescents online, Susan delivered an exceptionally informative and valuable presentation that equipped our students with essential digital literacy skills.
Our sincere thanks go to our wonderful Parents' and Friends' Association, who made this important visit possible through their ongoing support of student wellbeing initiatives.
Key Messages for Students
Susan's presentation centered on three core principles that every student should follow, whether online or in the real world: be kind, be part of a team, and be brave.
Digital Footprint Awareness
Students were reminded of several crucial digital safety facts:
- Nothing is ever permanently deleted from the internet
- You are never truly anonymous online
- Every online activity leaves a digital footprint
- Posts and comments can be discovered years later
- Passwords must never be shared, even with family or friends
Building a Positive Digital Reputation
Susan emphasised the importance of maintaining a good digital reputation, highlighting that schools and workplaces increasingly search applicants' digital footprints during selection processes. She stressed the critical importance of setting all privacy settings to the highest possible level across all platforms.
Practical Safety Strategies:
Managing Cyberbullying
Susan provided students with a clear action plan for dealing with cyberbullying:
- Report first, block second
- Tell a trusted adult immediately
- Save and store all evidence
- Block and delete the perpetrator
- Do not respond to the bullying content
Recognising Online Grooming
Students received valuable guidance on identifying and avoiding online grooming behaviors, empowering them to protect themselves from potential predators.
Resources for Serious Situations
Two essential websites were highlighted for students who may face image-based abuse:
- The eSafety Commissioner website
- www.takeitdown.ncmec.org (for cases involving non-consensual sharing of intimate images)
Addressing Sextortion
Susan spoke openly about the growing issue of sextortion, particularly affecting adolescent boys. She provided clear guidance for anyone who finds themselves in this situation:
- You are not in trouble
- Tell a trusted adult immediately
- Never pay any money demanded. But if you do, don't pay again.
- Seek help from appropriate authorities
Parent Education Session
Susan also delivered an equally informative session to parents in the evening, ensuring our school community is well-equipped to support our young people in navigating the digital world safely.
This comprehensive cyber safety education reinforces our commitment to preparing students not just academically, but also for the realities of living safely and responsibly in our digital age.