Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Monday, 04 February 2008 13:40
Opinion and Analysis
Page 1 of 3
Telstra is providing $2 million over three years in a series of grants
to help organisations teach ‘cyber safety’ to parents and children to
‘reduce bullying of harassment of children using the Internet and
mobile phones across Australia’ – but is it enough?
Telstra has
announced a new $2 million program aimed at reducing the bullying and harassment of children using the Internet and mobile phones across Australia, with mobiles clearly included because of SMS and the ability of many phones to connect with PC based instant messaging programs.
The program will operate through the
Telstra Foundation, which Telstra says will “provide grants starting from $75,000 per year over three years for organisations to tackle cyber safety issues ranging from bullying to internet addiction and identity theft”.
Telstra Foundation Chairman, Herb Elliott AC, MBE, said in a statement that: “Sadly, there are more and more reported incidents of children and young people who are victimised at the hands of bullies or people doing the wrong thing online”.
Elliott continued that: "We want to reverse this growing trend, and support programs and research that help keep kids safe while they make the most of the exciting opportunities the internet and mobile phones offer. In particular, the cyber safety grants will focus on funding programs to help educate parents about online technology, and simple steps they can take to create a safe online learning and social environment for their child."
Quoting from a range of recent Australian reports about Internet use, more Australian youngsters are using the Internet than ever, with 33% of children aged 8 or 9 having started using the Internet at 5 or 6 years old, 59% using a mobile phone, 84% using chatrooms daily and a specific teenager stat showing that 93% are Internet users.
Telstra Foundation Chairman Elliot said that: "The Telstra Foundation is putting a 'spotlight' on cyber safety and wants to work with people in community organisations with new ideas and solutions to help keep children safe online.”
Telstra says their new program will focus on four key areas:
- Encouraging children and young people to be actively involved in developing solutions;
- Approaches that assist in educating parents to become more competent in addressing cyber safety issues;
- Research that will enrich understanding of cyber safety issues; and
- Approaches that bring together the community to share ideas and information.
So, how do relevant organisations apply for Telstra Foundation Cyber Safety Grant – and once again, nice though $2m is... is it enough?! Please read onto page 2 to continue...
