ThinkUKnow was started in the United Kingdom by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and was developed for Australian audiences by the AFP in 2009.
The program is a partnership between the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Microsoft Australia, Datacom and the Commonwealth Bank, and is delivered in collaboration with New South Wales Police Force, Northern Territory Police, Queensland Police Service, South Australia Police, Tasmania Police, Western Australia Police and Victoria Police as well as Neighbourhood Watch Australia.
It is Australia’s first (and only) nationally delivered crime prevention program.
ThinkUKnow for parents, carers and teachers
ThinkUKnow is a free, evidence-based cyber safety program that provides presentations to Australian parents, carers and teachers and students. It provides information on the technologies young people use, the challenges they may face, and importantly, how they can be overcome. Presentations are delivered face to face or digitally.
We aim to provide you with the tools to create a safer online environment for young people in your care. Our presentations cover what young people SAY, SEE and DO online.
The presentations cover topics such as social media reputation management, cyberbullying, ‘sexting’, online grooming, online gaming, inappropriate content, privacy management, identity theft, how to protect your devices, and how to report matters when things go wrong.
The program bridges the knowledge gap between adults and young people so that everyone has an understanding of the roles they play and what they can do if something goes wrong online.
What young people SEE online
- We talk about challenges such as online grooming, ‘sexting’, cyberbullying and inappropriate content.
- What you can do to support young people through online challenges.
- We also explain how to report if something goes wrong.
What young people SAY online
- What you can do to help support young people understand what they say online can be permanent. We call this our ‘digital shadow’.
- This includes talking about being respectful online, thinking before you post, knowing what information is okay to share online.
What young people DO online
- How they use technology to have fun online, such as applications (or apps), websites and social networks.
- How they can handle their digital shadow, including their privacy and relationships online.
ThinkUKnow for students
ThinkUKnow cyber safety sessions for students are available in schools to provide students with important cyber safety education. ThinkUKnow youth sessions are delivered by all State and Territory police and cater for Kindergarten to Grade 12.
These presentations cover:
- Privacy and security
- Safe social media use
- Sharing information
- Healthy digital relationships
- What can go wrong
- How to handle challenges
- Managing time online
- Where to go for help
We tailor these sessions by age group as well as specific issues students might be experiencing.
The adult and youth presentations have been designed to align to ensure adults receive complementary information to assist them in communicating with children and young people about the technology they use.
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