The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy today announced that 30 schools would participate in the Australian Government’s Youth Advisory Group on Cyber-safety in 2010.

“I am delighted to welcome the participation of an additional 17 schools in our second year of the Youth Advisory Group on Cyber-safety,” Senator Conroy said during a visit to Ballarat Grammar.

“I was impressed with the thoughtful advice the Youth Advisory Group – or YAG - members provided last year on issues such as cyber-bullying, mobile phone safety, privacy, social networking sites and online computer games.

“The Government’s recent expansion of cyber-safety education, awareness-raising and counselling services was informed by feedback and advice provided by YAG members in 2009.

“In December I announced a package of measures to improve safety of the internet for families, including an additional $16.6 million to expand the cyber-safety outreach program run by the Australian Communications and Media Authority and the Cyber-Safety Online Helpline.

“The additional funding will reduce waiting times for schools to participate in the outreach program, and increase the Cyber-safety Online Helpline operating hours to ensure it is available when children are most at risk.”

The YAG has now expanded its membership to include primary school students. School students aged 8 to 17 years will have the opportunity to advise the Government on cyber-safety issues currently faced by their peers.

“The Government recognises that young Australians need to be involved in the development of effective responses to cyber-safety risks. I look forward to working with the YAG again in 2010,” Senator Conroy said.

The YAG will consider cyber-safety risks faced by Australian children and young people and communicate to the Government how best to address these and how to communicate cyber-safety messages to other young Australians.

The 30 schools represent a cross-section of the Australian community covering all states and territories. They were selected from a comprehensive list provided by various government and non-government bodies who were asked to identify schools that were interested in cyber-safety issues.

The YAG is one part of the Government’s cyber-safety plan which includes education, international co-operation, a Joint Parliamentary Committee, research, law enforcement and filtering measures.

For more information on the Government’s cyber-safety plan, visit: www.dbcde.gov.au/cybersafetypl