Queensland students from all corners of the State took a stand against bullying on the 11th National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA) last week (19 March).
Minister for Education, Grace Grace marked the Day by launching three new Department of Education cybersafety courses.
“Cyberbullying is unacceptable in our schools and we know that it doesn’t stop at the school gate,” Ms Grace said.
“The courses – ‘Your Digital Journey’, ‘Enhancing your digital identity’ and ‘CyberSafety – Making Positive Online Choices’ – will give students the tools and knowledge they need to keep online communication respectful, safe and kind,” she said.
Ms Grace said approximately one in five young people experienced online bullying and around 84 per cent of students who were bullied online were also bullied offline.
“This Queensland-led National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence (NDA) is all about empowering students to feel confident to be part of the solution to bullying, both online and in the schoolyard,” she said.
“Every student who experiences bullying needs to know that they are not alone, that they can reach out for help, and that we will be there to support them when they do.”
She said research undertaken in the lead-up to last year’s NDA found nearly three-quarters of schools, which had participated in the Day for five or more years, reported positive changes for students.
“Two-thirds reported positive changes for staff and two-thirds reported positive changes for the school environment,” Ms Grace said.
