Online Safety Working Group holds Forums in Launceston and Hobart

The Coalition’s Online Safety Working Group - recently established by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to make recommendations on policy to improve online safety for children and young people – is holding community forums today in Launceston and Hobart.

 ‘At this morning’s forum in Launceston we received some very useful input from educators and parents’, said Paul Fletcher, Chair of the Working Group.

 ‘School Principals spoke of the wide range of devices -  including Mobile Phones with internet access, Tablet computers, laptops, and WiFi enabled iPods  - that children are bringing to school every day.'

 ‘A parent spoke of her 15 year old daughter's experience being cyberbullied on Facebook - and how hard it was to take protective action.  Although the bullies' identities were known, a magistrate was reluctant to include Facebook and MySpace in a restraining order against the bullies, stating that he did not understand how these social media sites worked.'

 ‘We will be holding similar forums around Australia to hear from parents, educators and children & young people regarding their experiences with online safety and cyber bullying,' Mr Fletcher said.

 A further forum is being held in Hobart this afternoon.