Flourishing safely in digital worlds

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11 September 2024

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) has taken a significant step towards safer communities by hosting its inaugural eSafety Summit.

Bringing together over 120 educators from around the Archdiocese of Melbourne, a series of presentations from a variety of experts in the field helped participants navigate the best way to work with students using technology.

eSafety Summit

‘We know disinformation and misinformation are crafted to satisfy algorithms that profit from clicks and views’, said MACS Executive Director Dr Edward Simons in his introduction to the day. ‘Evidence shows that negative language drives online consumption, with media outlets and influencers using this tactic as bait. There is profit in outrage, heartbreak and tragedy. Your dedication is crucial to lighting the path so our students can flourish in digital and physical worlds.’

The keynote presentation by Kellie Britnell from the eSafety Commissioner took participants on a crash course in identifying the early signs to prevent online incidents. ‘My hope from today is that they’re empowered with new knowledge and new strategies that they take back with them’, said Kellie. ‘For parents and educators, it’s really about having the conversations with young people and asking them the questions about what they’re doing. As educators, we are not seeing the internet the same way as they are. Even as young people grow into adults, we don’t want parents to step back from those opportunities.’

Presentations from Victoria Police, Dr Jo Orlando and a panel of educators gave participants strategies to take back to their own settings.