Middle School
Head of Middle School - Jodi Fitzgerald-Tate
Year 8 Students Explore Online Safety Through ‘Tagged'
Article by Richard Meats, Year 8 Level Leader
On Thursday 3rd September, Year 8 students took part in an additional Pastoral Care lesson based on ‘Tagged', an online safety film produced by the eSafety Commissioner.
The film follows a group of high-school friends whose decision to post an online rumour sets off a damaging chain of events. What begins as a joke quickly escalates into cyberbullying, the sharing of private images, a filmed fight and police involvement. Students saw how one online action can affect not only the person being targeted, but also friends, families and the wider school community.
Following the film, students completed activities from the Tagged student resource booklet. They explored cyberbullying, image-based abuse and digital reputation, considering how information shared online can remain accessible long after the original post has been deleted.
An important focus of the lesson was the role of the bystander. Students discussed why people sometimes remain silent when they witness harmful behaviour and considered how liking, commenting on or sharing hurtful content can give further power to those responsible. They were encouraged to think about practical and safe ways to support someone experiencing harm online.
Students also reflected on privacy, the personal information they share through online profiles and how their choices can shape the way others see them. The activities highlighted the importance of consent, responsible decision-making and seeking support from a trusted adult when an online situation becomes unsafe.
The lesson reminded students that online actions have real-world consequences. Most importantly, it encouraged them to pause before posting, protect their own and others’ privacy, speak up when something is wrong and contribute positively to their online communities.
It is my hope that the session encouraged students to think carefully about their online choices and the impact these can have on others.
