Building an eSmart Australia. Let’s start with schools.
Our goal at the Alannah & Madeline Foundation is to keep children safe from bullying, cyber bullying and violence. Evidence suggests that eSmart is the best way to do this.
There is a rising tide of concern among the general public about the consequences of our children being uneducated about how to interact appropriately online, potentially leaving them vulnerable to risk. Young casualties are in the news with far too great a regularity, delivering the message time and again that we are not attending to the education needs of our children in this area.
Why every school should be eSmart
eSmart Schools helps teachers to best manage bullying and cyber issues and incidents so students feel safer and supported at school.
It is not a band-aid or a quick fix, and, based on documented evidence, it was created to address cyber risks and help schools meet their duty of care.
eSmart is a long-term change program designed to educate, track, monitor and prevent and is tailor-made for schools and designed to effect change in that specific environment.
By giving schools the resources and tools they need, eSmart delivers smart, safe and responsible use of technology within – and around – the school community. A major part covers bullying, cyber bullying and cyber safety issues.
How does a school become eSmart?
eSmart firstly works to review the school’s current practices to find technology, procedural and cyber safety gaps.
Schools are then guided through a series of activities – both on and offline – and once complete, achieve eSmart Status. It’s easy to implement, is aligned with the Australian curriculum and it’s endorsed by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner.
The eSmart Framework covers six areas: effective school organisation; school plans; policies and procedures; a respectful and caring school community; effective teacher practices; an eSmart curriculum; and partnerships with parents and local communities.
Almost one third of Australian schools are currently applying eSmart, with great success. Participating schools cover Government, Independent and Catholic sectors and include primary and secondary, as well as combined schools.
How can you help?
Be the advocate for the children of Australia. eSmart Schools is most effective when rolled out in a systemic way, as demonstrated in Victoria and Tasmania. We want to see all States and Territories follow their lead and fund eSmart Schools in every school across the country.
Know a community that needs to be eSmart?
If you know a group of schools in close proximity who want to be eSmart but don’t have funding, can you help find a solution?
Delivery of the program requires visits from cyber and bullying experts and as such, remote communities need to include funding for travel – by having a number of schools in the same area means you can share costs. Ask our eSmart team about how we can achieve this together. Click here for contact details.
Find out more about the Alannah & Madeline Foundation and its work.
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