When Federal Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland announced the introduction of a free media and digital literacy program available to all primary schools across Australia last week, many charities across the country welcomed the decision.
The eSmart Digital Licence+ program empowers students aged between four to nine years with essential digital literacy skills, helping them navigate the online world safely and responsibly. The new tool, developed by the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, builds on the eSmart Digital Licence+ program already available for students aged 10 to 14 years, and the Media Literacy Lab for high school students aged 12 to 16 years.
The program was designed to adapt to diverse learning environments and is accessible with or without classroom technology, making it more inclusive for all young Australians. Teachers and schools interested in accessing eSmart can contact the Alannah & Madeline Foundation on 1300 720 747 or visit: www.esmart.org.au.
Access to digital tools empowers young students
“The eSmart Digital Licence+ is empowering school students to think critically, create responsibly, and navigate the online world in a safer and more responsible way,” says Rowland.
“Australian children have long been getting a pen licence at school as they learn to write – this is the pen licence for the online world.”
Dale Murray, Life Without Barriers’ Executive Director of Education, agrees.
“Education is the cornerstone of a positive future, and with access to this new digital literacy program, young Australians—including those in out-of-home care—can gain critical skills to stay safe and informed online,” he says.
“We are particularly pleased that the program was developed through consultations with educators and nearly 1,000 primary school students. Listening to young people ensures the program resonates with their experiences and meets their real needs.”
Life Without Barriers is a registered Australian charity and social purpose organisation, delivering innovative, community-based programs to more than 25,000 people from diverse community groups across the country. Life Without Barriers is based in more than 440 communities, with an aim to strengthen families, disability, out-of-home care, aged care, mental health, youth justice, homelessness, and support for refugees and asylum seekers.
“Life Without Barriers is committed to helping children and young people in our care achieve their full potential by ensuring supportive, accessible education that fosters a pathway to future opportunities and stable employment,” Murray says.
He says this is especially important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, who are over-
represented in out-of-home care and face greater barriers to achieving educational outcomes.
“As a major provider of out-of-home care services, we understand barriers, including digital exclusion and low digital literacy and safety awareness, that can impact on a child’s education. Programs such as the eSmart Digital Licence+ play a vital role in levelling the playing field.”
