Staying safe, smart and responsible online
At Ripley Valley State Secondary College, our aim is to educate students about
their roles and responsibilities as digital citizens, including awareness of
online risks and the importance of managing their online identity and digital footprint.
We want the smart, safe and responsible use of information and communication
technology to be a cultural norm across our College community. Students, staff
and families should feel confident embracing the opportunities technology provides,
while also understanding the risks and knowing where to seek help.
To help students and families navigate technology, social media and growing up
in the digital age, Ripley Valley State Secondary College provides a range of
education, resources and support.
Need help now?
If something has happened online that makes you feel unsafe, threatened,
embarrassed or worried, you do not have to deal with it alone.
Immediate danger: call Triple Zero 000.
Non-urgent police assistance: Policelink
131 444.
You can also speak with a parent, carer, teacher or another trusted adult,
or use the support services listed further down this page.
What is cyber safety?
Cyber safety is about using digital technology in a safe, responsible and
respectful way while protecting yourself and others from online harm.
The internet is an important part of learning, communication, entertainment
and everyday life. Understanding cyber safety helps students make informed
decisions, protect their personal information and respond appropriately when
something goes wrong.
Staying safe online
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Think before you post
Content shared online can be copied, saved and reshared.
Think about who may see something before you post or send it.
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Protect personal information
Be careful about sharing information such as your address,
phone number, location, passwords or other private details.
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Check your privacy settings
Review privacy and security settings so you understand who can
see your posts, contact you and access information about you.
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Use strong passwords
Use strong, unique passwords and do not share them with friends.
Use multi-factor authentication where it is available.
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Be alert to scams
Be cautious with unexpected messages, suspicious links,
requests for money or login details, and offers that appear too good to be true.
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Report and block
Use the reporting, blocking and muting tools available in
social media platforms, games and apps when someone behaves inappropriately.
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Understanding cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is bullying that happens through digital technology such as
social media, messaging services, online games, websites or other online platforms.
Cyberbullying can include:
- Sending hurtful, abusive or threatening messages
- Posting humiliating or embarrassing content about someone
- Spreading rumours or false information online
- Impersonating another person to cause harm
- Deliberately excluding someone from online groups or activities
- Repeatedly posting cruel or inappropriate comments
What to do if you experience cyberbullying
If cyberbullying happens, try not to respond or retaliate.
Instead, follow these steps.
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1. Collect evidence
Before deleting anything, save evidence. Take screenshots and,
where possible, record the account name, date, time, platform
and web address.
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2. Report the content
Report the harmful content to the social media service,
game, app or website where it appeared.
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3. Prevent further contact
Use block, mute and privacy settings to prevent further contact
and limit what the other person can see.
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4. Tell someone
Speak with a parent, carer, teacher or another adult you trust.
Asking for help is an important part of dealing with online harm.
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If seriously harmful cyberbullying involving a child or young person under
18 has been reported to the platform and the platform does not resolve it,
it may also be reported to the eSafety Commissioner.
REPORT CYBERBULLYING TO eSAFETY →
Helping someone who is being cyberbullied
If a friend tells you they are being bullied online, your support can make a difference.
- Listen and take what they tell you seriously
- Encourage them to speak with a trusted adult
- Help them save evidence and use reporting and blocking tools
- Do not like, share or forward harmful content
- Encourage them to access additional support if they are distressed
Online friends and unwanted contact
People online are not always who they say they are. Someone may pretend to be
a friend or someone your age in order to build trust, gather personal information
or pressure you into doing something you do not want to do.
Protect yourself online
- Be cautious about accepting requests from people you do not know offline
- Limit how much personal information you share publicly
- Never feel pressured to continue a conversation that makes you uncomfortable
- Block and report accounts that behave inappropriately
- Tell a trusted adult if someone is pressuring, threatening or manipulating you online
QUEENSLAND ONLINE SAFETY INFORMATION →
Stymie
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Students and parents have access to
Stymie, a confidential online reporting tool.
Stymie helps combat the bystander effect by enabling students and
parents to report incidents of bullying and harm safely and anonymously.
VISIT STYMIE →
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Why Stymie?
The bystander effect occurs when the presence of other people
makes someone less likely to intervene when something harmful is happening.
Social influence can affect how bystanders respond, and young people may feel
less able to stand up to bullying behaviour publicly when there are many
other people watching.
The bystander effect can also involve a diffusion of responsibility,
where individuals believe that somebody else will step in or report what happened.
Young people are often heavily invested in their social relationships and may
not feel comfortable speaking up, or may simply be unsure about what they should do.
Stymie provides the bystanding community with a secure and anonymous way
to report an incident. Reports are sent to the College so appropriate
follow-up action can occur.
School workshops and education
Throughout the year, Ripley Valley State Secondary College may offer
information sessions and learning opportunities designed to support students,
staff and families in navigating the digital world.
Stymie workshops
Stymie information sessions may be offered for students, staff and
parents to support understanding of the reporting platform,
bullying, harmful behaviour and the role of bystanders.
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ThinkUKnow workshops
ThinkUKnow workshops may be delivered with our Adopt-a-Cop for
students during school, with parent and carer information sessions
also offered where available.
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Social media workshops for parents
College staff and external providers may offer parent workshops
throughout the school year addressing common IT issues and
emerging online and social media trends.
Topics may include home monitoring and filtering options,
privacy settings, popular social media platforms and keeping
communication open between parents, carers and young people.
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Digital Literacy Program
The College's Digital Literacy Program is delivered through
the Year 7 Digital Technologies elective and covers areas including
computer fundamentals, digital footprints and cyber safety.
Students also learn about privacy settings on popular social media
platforms, online risks, how publicly available information can be,
and steps they can take to protect themselves.
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Workshop availability may vary from year to year. Dates and details for
confirmed sessions will be promoted through the College website,
social media and other College communication channels.
ThinkUKnow
ThinkUKnow Australia is an evidence-based education program led by the
Australian Federal Police and delivered nationally with police and industry partners.
The program provides education and resources for children, young people,
parents, carers and educators about preventing online child sexual exploitation
and responding to risks including online grooming and sexual extortion.
VISIT THINKUKNOW →
At home monitoring and filtering
Queensland state schools use internet filtering to help restrict access to
inappropriate, malicious, illegal or dangerous online content.
School-provided devices continue to use Department of Education internet
filtering when students access the internet at home.
Department internet filtering
The Department currently uses
Broadcom Symantec WebFilter
to restrict categories of online content on the Department network and
school-provided devices.
Filtering and monitoring systems are not foolproof and do not replace
appropriate parental supervision and conversations about safe online behaviour.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION INTERNET SAFETY INFORMATION →
Supporting safe technology use at home
- Talk regularly with your child about the apps, games and websites they use
- Review privacy, location and account settings together
- Use appropriate parental controls and filtering where needed
- Encourage devices to be used in shared spaces where practical
- Set reasonable expectations around device use, sleep and screen-free time
- Encourage your child to tell you when something online makes them uncomfortable
Cyberbullying guide
Ripley Valley State Secondary College has a cyberbullying and cyber safety
guide available for students and families.
Support and reporting
The following organisations provide trusted information, reporting tools
and support for students, parents and carers.
eSafety Commissioner
eSafety provides information, advice and reporting options to help
Australians deal with online harm, including serious cyberbullying.
VISIT eSAFETY →
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Kids Helpline
Free and confidential counselling and support for children
and young people.
1800 55 1800
VISIT KIDS HELPLINE →
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eheadspace
eheadspace provides online and phone mental health support
for young people and their families.
VISIT eHEADSPACE →
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ThinkUKnow
Australian Federal Police-led education and resources focused
on preventing online child sexual exploitation.
VISIT THINKUKNOW →
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Queensland online safety
The Queensland Family and Child Commission provides information
for young Queenslanders about online friends, unwanted contact
and protecting yourself online.
VIEW ONLINE SAFETY INFORMATION →
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Cyber Safety Solutions
Cyber Safety Solutions provides independent cyber safety
information and resources for schools and families.
PARENT RESOURCES →
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How eSafety can help with cyberbullying
This eSafety case study shows how cyberbullying can affect a young person
and how support and reporting options can help when serious online harm occurs.
Safe • Smart • Responsible
Technology provides enormous opportunities for learning, creativity and
connection. By working together, students, families and staff can help
create a respectful, responsible and safe online environment for everyone.