Classrooms across regional NSW connected to cyber safety program ThinkUKnow

The Minister for Home Affairs and Justice, Brendan O’Connor, connected Stanmore Public School and Queanbeyan High School to the successful ThinkUKnow program using the NSW Department of Education’s ‘Connected Classroom’ technology.

As part of National Cyber Security Awareness Week last week, Mr O’Connor visited Sydney’s Stanmore Public School to highlight the use of the ‘Connected Classrooms’ technology to deliver the ThinkUKnow cyber- safety program, an initiative of the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Microsoft and ninemsn.

'Connected Classrooms' utilises video conferencing and smart board technologies to broadcast the presentation being delivered in Sydney Metropolitan school to the parents, carers and teachers at Queanbeyan High School.

While the internet provides many benefits, there are people who seek to use the internet and mobile technologies for criminal purposes, and to harm others, including today’s youth.

As the internet has no boundaries, the use of this technology is designed to ensure that parents, carers and teachers right across New South Wales can receive cyber safety education on how to ensure children have fun online, stay in control and report anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Since the roll out of the ThinkUKnow program across Australia in 2010, it has so far proven to be a valuable resource. In 2010, the AFP delivered 184 ThinkUKnow presentations to 6,747 parents, carers and teachers across Australia. As of end May 2011 there are now over 2,660 ThinkUKnow website members.