Recent data from the eSafety Commissioner shows a 450% increase in cyberbullying over the last five years, highlighting the urgent need for better online safety education. To address this, Healthy Harold and the Life Ed team are introducing a new program to teach children how to stay safe online at an earlier age.
The new module, Harold’s Online World, is designed to teach Year 1 and 2 students how to navigate the internet safely. Life Ed aims to give these young students the tools they need to protect themselves from online risks.
Karen Robertson, Head of Education and Impact at Life Ed Australia, explained, “Just like all of our modules, Harold’s Online World is meant to prepare kids for challenges they will soon face in the real world. We want to give them a chance to make safe, positive decisions in a controlled setting before they encounter tough situations.”
Harold’s Online World encourages students to balance screen time with offline activities, recognize harmful content, engage in positive online behavior, and seek help from trusted adults when needed.
Robertson emphasized, “Life Ed focuses on providing a comprehensive education. After 45 years of experience in schools, we’ve learned that scare tactics don’t create lasting change. Our approach is about empowering children to understand their bodies, celebrate their strengths, and build confidence and resilience.”
As a Trusted eSafety Provider, endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner, Life Ed has been helping school communities with online safety and well-being education since 2016. This includes the bCyberwise module for Years 3 and 4 and Relate Respect Connect for Years 5 and 6.
