Australian online safety regulator eSafety urges parents and carers to speak with their children about online safety after data shows cyberbullying reports from primary students have more than tripled since 2019.
According to Acting eSafety Commissioner Toby Dagg, May 2023 was the biggest reporting month since eSafety’s cyberbullying scheme started in July 2015.
“We’re pleased that more Australian children and young people know we’re here to support them when platforms fail to act but the number of complaints from children in school years five, six and seven is concerning and continues to grow,” Mr Dagg said.
In 2019, eSafety received more than 200 complaints from children aged eight to 13 years. In 2022, that figure jumped to more than 700.
“We received around 230 cyberbullying complaints in May this year alone and around 100 of these involved children aged eight to thirteen experiencing this kind of harm,” he said. “Nasty comments, offensive pictures or videos, and impersonation accounts are among the most reported issues.”
Smart devices put young students at risk
In 2023, smart devices have opened a wealth of opportunities for young people to broaden their understanding of the world, connect with their peers and engage with challenging new content.
According to Mr Dagg, however, the technology also carries its fair share of risks.
“Many parents are telling us they’ve found it hard to limit screen time since the pandemic. While greater device use might be the new norm, with it comes the need to understand how children are living out this part of their lives,” said Mr Dagg.
According to the latest Australian Child Health Poll, two-thirds of primary school-aged children and one-third of preschoolers now own their own tablet or smartphone.
When asked about the rising eSafety reports, children’s counsellor Amanda Moore told The Bursar the clandestine nature of cyberbullying makes it difficult for young children to grasp their actions’ impact on peers.
“Children have broader access to social media and the internet now more than ever before,” she says. “The psychosocial age of development for children between the years of eight to thirteen suggest an inability to understand fully the impact that their words have on the psyche of others.”
Ms Moore works closely with children and parents dealing with self-esteem issues, stress, anxiety and depression, and helps families navigate interpersonal relationship difficulties.
The two biggest factors contributing to the cycle of cyberbullying, she says, include a lack of parental education and control over online access, as well as a lack of child-centric education about acceptable online behaviour and accountability.
How you can protect against cyberbullying
With a new school term already underway in some parts of Australia, schools are beginning to take serious action against cyberbullying on school grounds.
In Queensland, a ban on mobile phones and smart watches has recently been trialled in all state schools, bringing the policy more in line with the majority of the country.
However, while schools have a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to bullying (often resulting in suspensions or expulsions), the anonymous and invasive nature of cyberbullying makes it hard for schools to police.
Mr Dagg says parents and carers can play a key role in helping establish boundaries that keep their children away from potential digital harms.
“We encourage parents to show an interest in the games their children play online, and the profiles they follow on social media – just as they would make time to throw a ball at a local park or play a board game.” he says.
“Being plugged into what your child is doing can help you anticipate when they might need support and advice.”
“As much as possible, encourage children to use devices in open areas of the home, rather than the bedroom or bathroom. That way you can answer questions, understand who they’re talking to and spot signs that might suggest some sort of distress.”
Ms Moore says the key to fighting cyberbullying is through promoting accountability and educating younger students on the potential impacts.
“Don’t be afraid of having difficult conversations with young people, they will often surprise you,” she says. “It’s important we remind ourselves that we, as adults, are responsible for setting boundaries and enforcing them.”
