Survey paves the way for new digital literacy program

THE Victorian government has this week launched an online survey to give parents, teachers and young people the opportunity to share their experiences and concerns about social media use.

The findings from the survey will be used to shape a new social media education program – to be named Safe Socials – which will be delivered in schools with the aim of teaching kids how to navigate, and live with, social media.

A $3.5 million investment will support the Department of Education to develop the new digital literacy program, which will also include a dedicated website and fact sheets to help parents and carers understand social media safety.

The survey comes as both the state and federal government work toward introducing a minimum age limit for children to use social media platforms like Instagram and Tik Tok, with young people aged up to 16 expected to be impacted by the ban.

“Parents – and young people – always tell me they’re worried about social media, but they feel powerless against the social media tsunami,” Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said.

“That’s why we’re keeping kids off social media before they’re ready and giving them the tools to stay safe online once they’re older.”

This consultation process, along with a series of roundtable discussions, will also help to inform the Commonwealth’s laws for national age limits on social media platforms, which could be in effect as soon as the end of this year.

Minister for Education Ben Carroll compared the social media restrictions to the state’s ban on mobile phones in schools, implemented in 2020 to reduce distractions and cyber bullying.

“Victoria led the nation by banning mobile phones in schools because we could see the harm it was doing, and we’re now consulting on how to best protect our students from the harms of social media – and developing resources to provide teachers with high-quality, best practice materials to teach digital literacy and safety,” Mr Carroll said.

Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman said while there are benefits to social media, when it comes to kids and young people, the bad often outweighs the good.

“Age limits will give parents the power to push back against the tech giants, and Safe Socials will help kids old enough to sign up know how to use it safely.”

To complete the survey before 5pm on November 1, head to engage.vic.gov.au/safesocials