Evolving online safety education for today’s digital world
As concerns about young people’s relationship with digital technologies continue to grow, schools are increasingly being asked to help young people navigate the opportunities and challenges of growing up in a digital world – while also supporting anxious parents and strengthening student wellbeing. But alongside sensible boundaries around technology use, how do we ensure children are developing the social and emotional skills they’ll need to thrive online?
In this practical and thought-provoking keynote, PROJECT ROCKIT CEO and co-founder Lucy Thomas OAM shares insights from two decades of working alongside young people, schools and families, including findings from young people themselves about how online safety education needs to evolve. Lucy will explore how schools can move beyond teaching rules and risks to intentionally build the capabilities that underpin both safety and wellbeing online – including communication, empathy, conflict resolution and help-seeking. She will also explore how schools can help shift family expectations around digital life, building the confidence and capability of parents and carers alongside those of their children.
Key takeaways:
- Understand why online safety education needs to evolve beyond a focus on rules and risks towards building the skills and capabilities young people need to navigate digital life.
- Explore practical ways schools can strengthen student wellbeing by developing communication, empathy, conflict resolution and help-seeking skills – both online and offline.
- Gain insights into how schools can support families to build shared expectations and greater confidence around young people’s digital experiences.