The Minister for Youth has announced an expanded grants program to address cyberbullying in response to recommendations from the Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce Report.
The Minister, Di Farmer said young Queenslanders could now apply for funding to deliver projects addressing cyberbullying and submit entries to a new cyberbullying creative competition.
“Cyberbullying has no place in our society, and we must do all we can to protect our youth from the harm it causes,” Ms Farmer said.
“Young people have a significant role to play in shaping their online communities and the cyberbullying grants are designed to do just that — to turn ideas into action.”
She said the competition would have up to $5,000 in prizes available to young people aged 10 to 16.
Ms Farmer said the initiatives formed part of a $3.5 million commitment to protect young people from cyberbullies and to help curb cyberbullying behaviour.
“Last year we supported diverse grant initiatives across Queensland to deliver projects within local communities,” Ms Farmer said.
“Our youngest applicant was 11-year-old Florence, who partnered with her school’s Parents and Citizens Association and a university to develop an animation about cyberbullying,” she said.
“This is an outstanding example of how we can work together to stop cyberbullying.”
She said a key recommendation from the Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce Report was to include young people in the design and delivery of initiatives.
“That’s why every funded project needs to have included young people in its design,” Ms Farmer said.
