Students learn how to stay safe online

News bulletin: 16 June 2009

Interactive resources are teaching students how to protect themselves online.

E-security learning programs are now available to Australian schools to help students stay smart online.

"To help kids to be aware of how to be smart and secure online, we've launched new interactive learning modules, available free for all Australian schools," the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, said.

The Budd:e E-security Education Modules were launched as part of National E-security Awareness Week in early June. There are two modules available, one targeted at primary and the other at secondary students.

Each Budd:e module covers information and simple steps to remain secure online including how to deal with junk email and advertising scams. The secondary school Budd:e, aimed at Year 9 students, uses video interviews with other students and online professionals to explain common issues with internet security, privacy and ownership of content. The videos also cover topics such as the fine print used on content websites and social networking sites.

The primary school module, aimed at a Year 3 level, teaches online security through an interactive game. As students successfully work through different levels they build their own e-security Budd:e robot adding features such as wings, a voice and pets as they go.   

"No-one wants to lose their personal details to criminals or fall victim to an online scam and that's why it's important that people understand the simple steps they can take to stay smart online and protect their personal information," Senator Conroy said.

For more information on the Budd:e E-security Education Modules, online trials and downloads, see: Stay Smart Online