Australian Chabad School First to Integrate Cybersmart

(lubavitch.com) Cybersmart, the first national cybersafety education initiative of its kind, was launched July 13, at Chabad’s Beth Rivkah Ladies College of Melbourne.

An interactive website designed to keep kids safe when using the internet, Cybersmart was provided by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

Australia’s Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy says that “Although the internet has undoubtedly opened up a world of possibilities and benefits to Australian children, it has also exposed them to continually emerging and evolving dangers that did not previously exist.”

Cybersmart will provide the information and skills necessary for young people to “make smart decisions online”, as well as equipping parents and teachers with tools to assist children who are spending more and more time on the internet, he explained.

In addition to age-specific resources and a “schools gateway”, Cybersmart will include a helpline in collaboration with the Kids Helpline, providing confidential advice from counsellors for kids who have encountered issues.

Beth Rivkah, Australia’s flagship Chabad girls’ school from preK-12 and a Teacher’s College, counts an enrollment of 1500 students. Academically, the school ranks among the best in the State in VCE results.