Research
In support of the Australian Government's cyber-safety plan, $2.3 million has been made available over four years for ongoing research into the changing digital environment to identify issues and target future policy and funding.
A request for tender for the review of existing Australian and international cyber-safety research was awarded through a competitive tender process to Edith Cowan University in early 2009. The report
Review of Existing Australian and International Cyber-safety research (PDF, 1.9 mb) reviews findings which indicate:
- that cyber-bullying is emerging as a significant risk to cyber-safety for young people
- cyber-grooming and sexual solicitation are potentially the most serious of all cyber-safety contact risks.
The report also indicates there are significant gaps in many areas of cyber-safety research, particularly about Australian conditions and including cyber-bullying and cyber-grooming.
The second research project is the development of a repeatable survey instrument and methodology for data collection on the changes in behaviour in relation cyber-safety, and relevant e-security, risks. Procurement for this project is currently underway.
