Digital Ambassadors

PROJECT ROCKIT Digital Ambassadors Program 

PROJECT ROCKIT is an Australian youth-driven movement against bullying, hate and prejudice. Their aim is to empower school students to challenge bullying behaviours instead of being bystanders.

On Thursday, 15 August, a group of year 8 students and class leaders at Doncaster Secondary College joined around 300 students from a range of Victorian schools, to discuss issues around cyberbullying with the PROJECT ROCKIT team. This program focused on issues around cyberbullying and how we can make social media platforms safer, so everyone feels more safe and comfortable in the digital world. We also discussed what we can do to make every individual feel they belong and are loved for their uniqueness.

All students arrived at 9:45 am at our Presentation and Performance Centre, where we were greeted by two PROJECT ROCKIT ambassadors Elsa and Liv. The event kicked off with a game. Three students from different schools volunteered to describe an object given to them. The aim was to describe it for the longest amount of time. It was a great icebreaker. 

Before the game started we were asked: "Raise your hand if you want a free chocolate bar". Nearly everyone put their hands up. Then they added, "To win, you have to do something in front of everyone". The number of hands raised decreased significantly.  I learned that you shouldn’t worry too much about what anyone thinks about you!

Some students suggested reasons why some people were worried to stand up in front of everyone. We talked about how some people are scared to be judged, whether it's popularity-wise or appearance and how it shouldn’t be like that. Everyone should be comfortable with expressing themselves. As a group, we spoke about what we want social media to look like and how we could achieve this together.  A piece of paper with positive things was circulated throughout the room and we were asked to circle what we want to see online. Afterwards, we were given a chance to explain what we circle, why and what it is about it that makes a positive impact online or in a school environment. 

I took so much away from this day. It helped me realise issues around social media and even though I might not be experiencing the negative impacts directly, others are. It taught me that we all need to be mindful in this space and look out for and stand up for each other.

One small act of kindness goes a long way.

Melina T. 8F