With recent data from the eSafety Commissioner revealing a 450 per cent surge in cyber bullying over the past five years and continuing news reports of the tragedies that occur as a result of online activity, Healthy Harold and the Life Ed team are bringing online safety education forward to keep kids safe earlier.
Through the launch of the new module, Harold’s Online World, Life Ed aims to equip Year 1 and 2 students early with the tools to stay safe online.
“Like all of Life Ed’s modules, Harold’s Online World is designed to teach kids about topics they may soon confront in their world, empowering them to critically evaluate the issues at hand. We want to give kids the chance to practice making positive choices in a safe environment before being confronted with difficult decisions,” said Karen Robertson, head of education and impact at Life Ed Australia.
Harold’s Online World encourages students to balance screen time with offline activities, recognise and report harmful content, engage in positive online interactions, and seek help from trusted adults.
“This type of holistic education is what Life Ed prides itself in. Our more than 45 years of experience in schools has taught us that scare tactics don’t encourage long-term change. It’s about empowering children to learn about their bodies and celebrate their strengths, to instill confidence and resilience.”
As a Trusted eSafety Provider, endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner, Life Ed has been supporting school communities with education on online safety and well being since 2016, with the bCyberwise module for Years 3 and 4, and Relate Respect Connect for Years 5 and 6.
