On March 18th the Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety launched an online survey of Australians aged 5-18 years to gain insight into their experiences online.
With over 50 schools in the electorate of Kooyong local Member Josh Frydenberg supports this survey and calls on everyone that can to participate. “A lot of schools within Kooyong are already conducting information evenings, posting links onto their websites to assist parent and children in being resourced to counteract cyber bullying. This survey adds to all these initiatives” said Josh.
The Cyber‐Safety Committee are encouraging the voices of young internet users to be heard with continued evidence from a wide range of experts and organisations and along with these survey results as well as school forums organised by the Committee.
“Young people today are using all number of social networking sites as well as SMS and other technology which connects them to their peers in a way no other generation have ever experienced and we should provide support assistance such as this to ensure they are kept safe at all times “Josh said.
To ensure the survey is audience appropriate, the Committee has developed two questionnaires: one for participants aged 5-12 years, and the other for those from 13-18 years. The survey is completely anonymous.
“I encourage young Australians to complete the survey and in doing so have their say on the development of online environments and making the experience safer for everyone. Also it is an opportunity to share their knowledge of the online world, including any first hand experiences of cyber‐bullying, stalking, identity theft and breaches of privacy.” said Josh.
The Committee’s online survey of youth is one of the consultative strategies undertaken and will be conducted from 18 March 2011 to Wednesday 27th April. The survey is avaliable at www.aph.gov.au/cybersafety.
Further information on the inquiry is available from the Committee’s website, http://www.aph.gov.au/jscc or from the Secretariat on (02) 6277 4202.