The eSmart Digital Licence helps keep our children smart, safe and responsible online
National children’s charity, the Alannah & Madeline Foundation welcomes the Shorten Labor Government’s pledge of $2.5 million for a national rollout of its eSmart Digital Licence.
The Foundation’s CEO, Lesley Podesta, said she was delighted to see this investment into the protection and safety of Australian children and young people.
A proven and evidenced-based online tool designed to keep junior primary, primary and secondary students safe online, the eSmart Digital Licence helps parents and teachers work with children and adolescents to understand the risks and opportunities of the internet, while helping them build safe and responsible practices.
One of the most comprehensive online cyber safety resources available, the eSmart Digital Licence teaches Australian students how to play, learn and socialise online through a suite of age appropriate interactive challenges, videos and games.
It incorporates modules that address problematic issues, including relationships and reputation, location-based apps, and technology addiction and digital footprints, and promotes discussion about online safety between young people and their parents, carers and teachers. The eSmart Digital Licence comes in a number of age-based versions which makes it suitable for different learning environments. Parents can also use the eSmart Digital Licence at home with their children.
More than 2,500 schools across the country have registered to use the eSmart Digital Licence, with more than 200,000 students having completed it.
Ms Podesta said making the eSmart Digital Licence available to all students “is critical”.
“This is a crucial part of digital inclusion – ensuring that every child and young person in all communities around Australia has access to the best and most comprehensive updated resources and support.”
“We’re very excited and honoured to continue our work in keeping children safe, smart and responsible online. It’s a great announcement from Labor. With the wonderful support of Google Australia, Dolly’s Dream, the Victorian, Tasmanian and Queensland state governments and local companies we have already reached 200,000 students and families. This boost brings it closer to making it available to every child”.
