Online Safety Working Group Holds Roundtable Discussion in Sydney

The Coalition’s Online Safety Working Group - recently established by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to make recommendations on policy to improve online safety for children and young people – is holding a roundtable consultation in Sydney on Wednesday 7 March.

‘The working Group of Coalition parliamentarians will meet with an invited group of experts and sector representatives to discuss the specific issue of the impact of the internet on disadvantaged and troubled children and young people’.

‘This is the second in our series of community consultations around the country’.

‘Later in the process we will also be holding a public forum in Sydney’ ‘In consultations held to date, we have learned about the significant challenges in seeking help if our child is bullied online’ ‘One issue that has continued to dominate discussion has been the every-present dangers associated with cyber-bullying and its effect on children and young people online'.

‘One parent in our Launceston community forum remarked that a magistrate was unwilling to grant an order restraining cyber-bullies from posting on Facebook, stating he “did not understand how the site works” '.

‘Over the coming months, we will be holding a wide range of forums around Australia to hear from parents, educators and children & young people regarding their experiences with online safety and cyber bullying,' Mr Fletcher said.