Youth Advisory Group on cybersafety
Established under the Australian Government's $125.8 million Cybersafety Plan, the Youth Advisory Group on Cybersafety (YAG) is a group of young Australians aged 8–17 who provide advice to government on cybersafety issues. The YAG was formed to provide a unique and invaluable insight into cybersafety issues affecting children and teenagers and the ways these issues can be addressed from the perspective of young people themselves.
The first YAG consultation was launched in 2009, and since then membership has continued to significantly expand. In its first year, the YAG consisted of 304 secondary school students from 15 schools from across Australia. It has nearly doubled in size in each respective year. In 2012 an invitation was extended to all Australian schools to participate in the YAG. It is anticipated that the YAG will consist of approximately 3000 members from up to 400 schools nationwide this year.
YAG members provide advice via the y@g online website and face-to-face forums throughout the year. YAG members have provided advice to government on a range of cybersafety topics including digital citizenship, cyberbullying, mobile phone safety, privacy, social networking sites and online computer games.
Advice from YAG members has informed a range of important government cybersafety resources, including the Cybersafety Help Button. 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, with easy online access to counselling, reporting and information resources to assist in dealing with cybersafety issues.
The YAG also assisted with the development of the Easy Guide to Socialising Online. YAG members reported that they wanted to know more about how to socialise online safely, and that their parents wanted more information about the sites that young people use. The Easy Guide provides cybersafety information about 26 different social networking sites, search engines and online games. This includes general tips on how to stay safe when using any social media site.
The government has also established the Teachers and Parents Advisory Group (TAP) on Cybersafety, based on advice from YAG members that teachers and parents need to be involved in cybersafety issues. The TAP provides 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.
Representatives from the YAG, their parents and teachers are also invited to attend the annual Cybersafety Summit. Launched in 2010, participants share their views on a range of government programs and initiatives aimed at keeping children safe online. In 2011, YAG members discussed the Easy Guide to Socialising Online, the Cyber Security budd:e modules and the Thinkuknow program provided by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The 2012 Cybersafety Summit is proposed for 4 June 2012
YAG first consultation sphere
Registered schools from Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory will participate in the YAG Secondary School consultations from 19 to 30 March. A list of the participating schools follows.
YAG second consultation sphere
Registered schools from Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland will participate in the YAG Secondary School consultations from 23 April to 4 May. A list of the participating schools follows.
