The Albanese Government is investing $6 million over three years to ensure more Australian kids have the skills to stay safe online.
The Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s Safe Kids are eSmart Kids program teaches school children from four to 16 to navigate the online world while earning an eSmart Digital Licence.
Designed in collaboration with educators and almost 1,000 students, the program is adaptable and age-appropriate, and can be delivered online or offline.
It provides free, curriculum-aligned resources for schools, educators, parents and carers and equips children with the knowledge, confidence and critical thinking skills they need to identify online risks, scams and misinformation.
The renewed funding by the Albanese Government will support the continued development and refinement of evidence-based resources for Australian students.
The program is an initiative of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to keeping children and young people free from violence and trauma wherever they live, learn and play.
More than 325,000 school kids have already engaged with the Foundation’s eSmart Resources.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications Anika Wells:
“Australia was the first country in the world to create a minimum age for social media to give young people three more years to develop online resilience.
“Just like we teach our kids to swim or drive a car, we need to teach them how to stay safe online.
“That’s why the Albanese Government is delivering $6 million to support the Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s Safe Kids are eSmart Kids program.
“So far the program has already helped more than 325,000 Australian school students learn critical thinking skills they need to navigate the digital age.
“The Albanese Government is proud to continue our partnership with the Alannah & Madeline Foundation to ensure schools, families and communities across Australia have access to these high-quality, free resources.”
Quotes attributable to CEO of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, Sarah Davies AM:
“Every child has the right to be safe wherever they live, learn and play, including online. eSmart gives children and young people the practical skills and confidence to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
“eSmart is effective because it is built with children and young people around their real experiences, the risks they face and the digital world they are growing up in.
“We thank the Prime Minister and Minister Wells for backing online safety education. This renewed funding is an investment that will help more young Australians thrive in a digital world.”
