Year upon year we have noticed an increase in students following trends on social media platforms whereby they are creating posts, memes or content that are using names and images of other students or staff without permission. At times this content has been inappropriate or hurtful and often the accounts that are creating the content are made under fake accounts or names that are not easily identifiable.
As a school we continue to educate our young people about appropriate and safe use of social media and communication platforms, however this is an ongoing process and will only be successful with support from our families. Your ongoing vigilance and care outside of the school is necessary to provide further education, support and guidance of your young person.
- Start with Open Conversations
- Talk regularly with your child about how they use their phone and who they interact with online.
- Encourage them to come to you if they see or experience anything upsetting.
- Set Clear Expectations
- Establish family rules about screen time, appropriate apps, and respectful online behaviour.
- Reinforce the school’s messaging around safe and responsible use of digital devices.
- Monitor Without Spying
- Know your child’s usernames and passwords for social media and messaging apps.
- Occasionally check their browsing history and app usage, especially if you notice changes in mood or behaviour
- Teach Safe Practices
- Encourage your child to:
- Never share passwords or personal information.
- Block and report anyone who sends inappropriate messages.
- Take screenshots of harmful content as evidence.
- Avoid responding to bullies
- Use Trusted Resources
- Visit https://www.esafety.gov.au/report for reporting tools and advice.
- Explore resources like StopBullying.gov for tips on digital awareness
Our PB4L Matrix states that our expected behaviours for being Respectful when using technology include:
- Respect the privacy and rights of yourself and others
- Practice safe & respectful cyber citizenship
- Speak up to protect others from cyberbullying
- Report concerns or unsafe behaviours
- Abide by the ICT user agreement
- Care for your school device
In our response to incidents that are brought to our attention we are guided by the advice, processes and resources of the eSafety Commissioner. The eSafety Guide has information about how to do this on different online platforms. Further information can be found at https://www.esafety.gov.au/young-people/cyberbullying
We ask that you spend some time speaking with your young person about positive cyber citizenship and draw their attention to the impact that hurtful, bullying or inappropriate content or comments can have on others. Further information and resources for parents can be found on Parents | eSafety Commissioner
What is cyberbullying?
It can be easy to misinterpret a comment or post, when you can’t see someone’s face or hear the tone of the person who posted it. In the same way, you might not have intended to hurt someone’s feelings, but what you thought was light-hearted banter, could be considered bullying to someone else. The way we talk online can also make it more difficult to know where to draw the line between banter and bullying.
Cyberbullying is when someone is using the internet to be mean to someone else so that they feel bad or upset. It can include posts, comments, texts, messages, chats, livestreams, memes, images, videos and emails.
Some examples of cyberbullying include:
- hurtful or abusive messages
- creating fake accounts in someone’s name to trick or humiliate people
- spreading nasty rumours or lies about someone
- sharing photos of someone to make fun of them or humiliate them
- making new accounts to attempt repeated contact after the person has already blocked you.
- Cyberbullying is never OK.
‘Someone is bullying me online – what should I do?’
Ask them to stop. If you feel uncomfortable with the way someone is speaking to you, and you feel safe to do so, ask them to change their behaviour. It might not always work, but sometimes just letting them know they’re upsetting you will make them reassess their actions.
Resist the urge to respond. Try not to respond to any hate targeted at you online – it usually just makes it worse. Often people will say hurtful things just to get a reaction and you don’t want to be associated with that, or give them any reason to get you in trouble as well.
Screenshot, report and block on the platform. If they don’t change their behaviour, it’s time to set some hard boundaries. The eSafety Guide has information about how to do this on different online platforms. Screenshots help if you need to take further action at any stage, so think of it as ‘insurance’. Confidentially reporting them to the platform can help keep the platform safe for others. You should do this before blocking them.
Remember: If the bullying material involves nudes, be aware that possessing or sharing such images of people under 18 may be a crime, even if the picture is of you, or you have just taken a screenshot for evidence purposes. For information about relevant laws in Australia, visit Youth Law Australia. You can also read our advice on what to do if your nudes have been shared.
If the content is still up after 48 hours, make a report to eSafety. If you have trouble getting the content removed and you’re under 18, you can report it to the cyberbullying team at eSafety. If you’re over 18, you can make an adult cyber abuse report. Either way, we can work with you to try and have the hurtful content taken down and point you in the right direction to get help and support. Learn more about what to expect and how to make a report.
Get help and support. If the cyberbullying is really concerning you and you’re feeling a little out of your depth, talk to a trusted adult. You may feel like you should be able to handle it yourself, but talking to someone makes it easier to decide what to do and deal with the impact. You can also get help from confidential counselling and support services.
What are we doing at Clonard if we observe inappropriate technology use!
- A report/complaint will be lodged with the social media carrier (Eg. TikTok).
To be done by the teacher and/or responsible adult who viewed the inappropriate content.
This could also be done by a member of the ICT team here at Clonard. - Prior to submitting the report we will take a print screen of your report, which should be shared with the WELCOM of the affected student, the ICT help desk and the SIL and Assistant Principal – Community and Culture. These reports will be collated by the ICT help desk staff.
- If appropriate, contact to be made with the parents of the affected student (by the WELCOM or AP C&C) letting them know about the post and the fact the school has completed a report. Additional reports could and should be submitted.
- The school will conduct their own investigation, undertaking discreet conversations with the target student and students associated with the affected student.
- Wait 48 hours to see if the post has been removed. If the post has not been removed the eSafety commissioner will be contacted and an additional report will be submitted.
https://www.esafety.gov.au/report/forms
Tips for parents/carers after an online safety incident
- Focus on wellbeing
Check in regularly with your child and the contact person at your school. Regardless of whether your child was the target, instigator or bystander in the incident, it is likely that they will require emotional support. If your child has used technology inappropriately, support them to take responsibility for their actions and give them ideas to resolve the issue. If you feel your child is in immediate danger or at risk of harm, call Triple Zero (000) and stay with them until they are safe. Seek professional help if your child is distressed or shows changes in behaviour or moods, remembering that organisations such as Kids’ Helpline and Beyond Blue can help. Maintain contact with the school so you can work together to support your child.
- Communicate with the school
Make a list of questions that you want to discuss with your child’s school and use this to guide conversation. Check if your child has questions as well, or if they have any ideas on how to resolve the issue or repair the harm. Throughout the process it is important that communications with your child’s school are calm and positive, focusing on addressing the issues and supporting your child. You might like to ask the school to watch out for concerning behaviours or discuss the strategies that will be implemented if the issue remains unresolved. Keep in regular contact with the school, making set times to meet with your child’s teacher, school counsellor and, if needed, the principal or school wellbeing team. This may help support the wellbeing of your child particularly if you have concerns with the steps taken in managing the issue, or if your child starts to feel uncomfortable about attending school. Bullying. No Way! – https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/support-and-advice/for-families also has helpful advice on how you can work together with schools to address and resolve bullying issues.
- Access support
Your child’s school and their GP or health professional can provide support. Draw on your own support network too, and make sure to seek help for yourself if you need it. The eSafety website includes a list of counselling and support services that can help anyone involved in an online safety incident. This list can be filtered by audience (including parents), the type of support required, issue and state/territory. 4. Upskill eSafety has a range of information for Parents and Carers including skills and advice to help you talk to your child about online safety issues including cyberbullying, online pornography, sending nudes and online gaming.
