Are you, your kids cybersmart?

Lincoln Bertelli, SOUTH WESTERN TIMESSouth Western Times

Mon, 30 March 2015 1:47PM

Cybersmart trainer Margaret Spencer teaches Bunbury Primary School Year 5 students Lily Murphy and Will Procter about online safety. Credit: Lincoln Bertelli

Cyberbullying and online safety are being discussed at South West schools over the next two weeks.

Cybersmart sessions, a national education program managed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, will be held at schools in Bunbury, Capel, Collie, Dunsborough and Nannup during the visit.

Cybersmart trainer Margaret Spencer visited Bunbury Primary School on Monday and held three separate information sessions for students, parents and staff.

The student session discussed privacy settings on social media, the importance of not sharing personal information, in-app purchases and cyberbullying.

Parents and staff from other schools were invited to the sessions and Ms Spencer said it was good to get the message to a wider audience.

“With cyber safety, it’s a big issue and we have to raise awareness around the whole issue,” she said.

“It’s nice to have parents and staff from other schools involved.”

Bunbury Primary School associate principal Franca Dillon said they had been trying to get Cybersmart back after a talk two years ago.

“It’s about keeping kids safe online and the only way of doing that is educating not only kids but parents and teachers as well,” she said.

“Social media is changing so quickly and you always have to keep an eye on it.”

Year 5 student Lily Murphy said she learned a lot from the session.

“I thought it was very good to listen to what you need to do on the internet,” she said.

“I now think the internet is a very safe place only if it is used correctly.”

Are you, your kids cybersmart?

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