Safe and Responsible Use of Digital Technologies in Schools

MOE Report

Education is changing. Digital technologies are everywhere and they are impacting what, where, how and why students learn, and who they learn from. Many schools are using digital technologies like the internet, laptops and tablets to quickly, easily and cost- effectively connect students with the huge range of digital services and resources. However, the many benefits of learning with digital technologies are accompanied by some challenges and potential risks for students and schools. These ‘digital challenges’ are real and present a dilemma to schools seeking to use digital technology to enhance student learning.
Digital challenges can be broadly categorised as:

• Cybersafety: Involves conduct or behavioural concerns.
  Examples include cyberbullying, smear campaigns, accessing inappropriate content, creating spoof websites or sexting.
  
• Cybercrime: Involves illegal activity.
  Examples include sexual offending, accessing objectionable content or online
  fraud.
  
• Cybersecurity: Involves unauthorised access or attacks on a computer system.
  Examples include hacking into someone’s social media service account, launching a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack or loading malware onto a laptop.
  In general, preventative approaches that rely on technical or other protections simply do not work. These methods have a role but must be balanced with strategies that promote:
  

• development of skills and knowledge for safe and responsible use of digital technology
  
• opportunities for students to be involved in decisions about the management of digital technology at the school
  
• development of a pro-social culture of digital technology use, and
  
• cooperation of the whole community in preventing and responding to incidents.
  

The ultimate goal is to ensure the online safety of all students.