New video resources to tackle online bullying

Media release: Life Education develop new video resources to tackle online bullying

Wednesday 15 August 2018

Bullying in schools in New Zealand is amongst the worst in the world and can have detrimental effects on children’s well-being and their achievement at school.

Thanks to support from Netsafe’s Online Safety Grant and ASG, specialist health and well-being education providers Life Education have developed a series of innovative cyber bullying resources.

Life Education Trust Chief Executive John O’Connell has seen a growing demand for online safety education and support, and is pleased to be able to meet the needs of schools and teachers.

“We know that cyber bullying is one of key online safety issues that children and schools face; and we know the serious long-lasting impact it can have,” John says.

Life Education have created a series of open ended video clips where children are faced with challenges from today’s world. Inside the mobile classroom Life Education Educators will use the teaching resources to teach children how to be good digital citizens, resilience skills and how to deal with peer pressure and bullying.

Children will be able to see acceptable and unacceptable ways of connecting and communication with others. The discussion opportunities that are created will help to develop students understanding and knowledge of the digital environments.

“The internet and technology are part of their everyday lives and the movement between being on or offline is seamless. We’re teaching them it’s not about two sets of values or two different environments but our behaviour should be the same,” he says.

Netsafe Director of Education and Engagement Sean Lyons agrees that digital technology plays a big role in the lives of young people.

“Whether it be for learning at school or staying connected with friends and family. To help young people have a positive experience online, it’s important that we help them learn how to keep themselves safe online and to consider what is appropriate behaviour online. We’re proud that the Netsafe Online Safety Grant has been able to support the creation of Life Education Trust’s new video resources that have been made especially for providing online safety education in New Zealand schools” says Sean.

These resources are now being rolled out across the Trusts 45 mobile classrooms.

ENDS

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