Online Survey - Cybersafety

JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON CYBER-SAFETY'S

ONLINE SURVEY OF YOUTH

I am writing to advise you that the Australian Parliament's Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety is currently inquiring into the nature, prevalence, implications of cyber-safety and cyber-bullying.

I encourage your students to participate in the Committee's online survey of Australian young people.

The Committee believes the input of young people is critical in its inquiry and will be invaluable in making reasoned conclusions and viable recommendations to government. The survey is available at www.aph.gov.au/cybersafety. The Secretariat can also provide you with materials for websites, pamphlets or newsletters and other similar mediums. These materials are available to download at www.aph.gov.au/jscc/download .

As you are aware, over the past decade there has been an exponential growth in the use of mobile phone technology, social networking media and the use of the Internet by children and young people for personal and educational uses. These new technologies and social media have brought significant benefits to young Australians, but also expose them to a number of risks. The Committee was appointed to inquire and report on the nature and complexities of the online environment, including ways to support schools to reduce the incidence and harmful effects of cyber-bullying.

In its final report, the Committee will present recommendations to the Government to promote cyber-safety and reduce cyber-bullying in the Australian community. More information about the Committee is available at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jscc/index.htm.

The survey of youth is one of the consultative strategies undertaken by the Committee to reach young people directly and will available for your students to complete until Wednesday 27^th April. To ensure the survey is audience appropriate, the Committee has developed two similar questionaries: one for 5-12 year olds and one for 13-18 year olds. The survey is completely anonymous and it will not be possible for the Committee to identify anyone who participates in the survey.

Yours sincerely

Senator Dana Wortley

Chair