The Internet is just like real life - we all need to know how to be street smart (or cybersmart!). We believe that online safety is all about user education, user empowerment through technology tools (such as SafeSearch Lock), and cooperation between law enforcement and industry partners.
As the debate around the Government's proposed mandatory ISP filtering regime continues, we believe that we should all retain focus on raising awareness of how to be cybersmart and safe online.
Over the past year, we have worked with Australian child safety and wellbeing organisations to educate people about cyber safety. For example:
- Australian Federal Police ThinkUKnow YouTube channel
- Bravehearts YouTube channel for White Balloon Day
- Smart Online, Safe Offline (SOSO) launch of an interactive cyberbullying campaign, called Cyber Bullying Affects Real Lives
Wendy Protheroe, General Manager Counselling Services, Kids Helpline - a service of BoysTown:
"Kids deserve to be able to enjoy the benefits the internet can give them; they deserve to have a range of safety tools available and they deserve to know that the company whose services they are using is actively committed to their safety. Kids Helpline has found Google to be such a company. Google has provided in-kind support and a great donation that enabled Kids Helpline to provide online safety tips, resources and links to our counselling services."Madelene McGrath, NAPCAN's SOSO Project Manager:
"Google and YouTube's support for this campaign was invaluable, and by working closely with YouTube to become part of the fabric of the site, we were able to engage far more effectively with our youth audience and deliver our message in a highly impactful way. Google and YouTube went well beyond being a media publisher and acted as a strategic partner throughout, ensuring the delivery of a highly successful campaign."Kerry Graham, CEO, Inspire:
“Our partnership with Google is critical to our mission of helping millions of young people lead happier lives. With Google’s support we can reach and connect with young people at times and in places that traditional mental health services can’t. An example is a young person who found Inspire's Reach Out.com program through Google AdWords:Hetty Johnston, Founder and Executive Director, Bravehearts:
Just that it was there. It was 1:30am, I was desperate and had nowhere to turn. I somewhat sarcastically went to Google and typed in 'help'. This site was the first result. Thank you."
“Google has been instrumental in enabling Bravehearts to reach out to the community and in particular, children and young people, with our educational messages and services to protect children. The effectiveness of the Bravehearts YouTube channel and Google Adwords as communication mediums is reflected in the growing demands on our services and the increased number of children, young people and adults that we are able to reach and help. We sincerely thank Google for helping us to empower children and adults everywhere to say no to child sexual assault."Dr Judith Slocombe, CEO, The Alannah and Madeline Foundation:
“Google’s commitment makes a big difference: it sends a strong message to the whole community about the importance of being smart, safe and responsible when using technology. We are delighted with the support we have received from Google; it will help us deliver the Cybersafety and Wellbeing Initiative, a national framework guiding and supporting schools to implement relevant cybersafety and wellbeing policies and practices. A world-first approach to cybersafety, it provides a roadmap to the best available cybersafety resources for schools, kids and parents.”This year, we look forward to continuing our work to help all Australians be cybersmart.
