Youth Advisory Group on cybersafety
In 2009, the Australian Government established the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) on cybersafety as part of its comprehensive Cybersafety Plan, which includes law enforcement, filtering, education and research initiatives. The YAG provides advice to government on cybersafety issues from a young person’s perspective.
In its first year, the YAG consisted of 304 secondary school students, aged 11–17 years, from 15 schools from across Australia. Over 12 200 posts on 865 topics were generated by members on the y@g Online website. YAG members also provided nine pieces of formal advice on topics including cyberbullying, mobile phone safety, privacy, social networking sites and online computer games.In 2010, the government expanded the YAG to include approximately 500 primary and secondary school students, aged 8–17 years, from 30 schools across Australia. YAG members provide advice via the y@g Online website and face-to-face forums during the year.
On 8 June 2010, over 150 YAG student members, parents and teachers attended the first YAG Cybersafety Summit in Canberra. Participants shared their views on a range of government programs and initiatives aimed at keeping children safe online, including the cybersecurity budd:e modules and the Thinkuknow program provided by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
Advice from YAG members has informed a range of important government cybersafety resources, including the Cybersafety Help Button which was launched by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, on 7 December 2010. YAG advice highlighted the need for a ‘one-stop shop’ for cybersafety advice and assistance. The Help Button provides internet users, particularly children and young people, easy online access to counselling, reporting and information resources to assist in dealing with cybersafety issues.
In 2011, the YAG is implementing a new model of consultation that will involve up to 1200 young people and 120 schools. The YAG community will have 10 consultation spheres that are each active for one week and represent states and territories, primary and secondary students, and Indigenous communities.
A new advisory group comprised of teachers and parents will also form in 2011. The Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, announced the establishment of the Teachers and Parents advisory group on cybersafety (TAP) at the 2010 YAG Cybersafety Summit. The TAP will provide an opportunity for teachers and parents across Australia to come together via a secure online forum to discuss cybersafety issues affecting children in the digital world. Formation of the TAP is a response to advice from YAG members that teachers and parents need to be involved in cybersafety issues.
