The federal government’s $9 million Online Safety Grants Program has led to the development of projects such as a cyberbullying support bot and 3D cyber ninjas teaching self-defence in the metaverse. 

As data from eSafety shows online harms continuing to grow, with complaints about cyberbullying involving young people increasing 95 per cent compared to last year. 

Following this, the eSafety Commissioner has awarded nine grants totalling $2.25 million to universities and non-government organisations in the third round of the Online Safety Grants Program. 

This brings the total number of projects funded under the grants program to 32, bringing more innovation to Australia’s online landscape. 

“We need to keep developing fresh ways to reach and educate Australians if we’re to keep pace with technology, especially as we hurtle towards the metaverse and Web 3.0,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said. 

“Working with partners means more voices, more insights and more ways to inspire a generation of young people to scroll with safety online.” 

The grants support the development of innovative programs and resources that improve children’s and young people’s awareness of online safety issues and how to reduce online harms. 

“Improving online safety in a rapidly changing online world requires strong leadership and advocacy at every level of society,” Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said. 

“The Albanese Government congratulates the successful applicants and welcomes their creative and innovative strategies to equip more children and young people with the skills to navigate the online world safely.” 

Aside from Deakin University’s CyberNinjas and Centacare Catholic Family Services’ Power Up: Online, other projects under the third round of the grants program include the following: 

• K.I.D.S Foundation – Netys the trusted eSafety friend  
• Scope (Aust) Ltd – Be Safe Online  
• The Butterfly Foundation – Body kind online: Education Resources  
• Western Sydney Community Forum – Our safe community online 
• Western Sydney University – Reconceptualising Digital Safety in Family Homes post Covid-19  
• University of Tasmania – Chatbot-enabled cyber safety for adolescents  
• Charles Sturt University – Protecting children from smartphone leakage of security-sensitive information  

Commissioner Grant states that the applicants under round three of the grant program all demonstrated an ability to dream big when it came to engaging and empowering children and young people. 

“I’m excited to be welcoming nine new partners in online safety who share our passion for helping Australians to have positive and safe experiences online,” she said. 

“I look forward to seeing how these recipients bring energy and new perspectives to online safety education in the coming year, helping us to reach many more Australians.” 

Projects under round one of the Online Safety Grants Program have reached around two million children and young people.  

This is expected to grow significantly when further projects funded in round two of the program are delivered in the coming months.  

These include a youth-produced short film festival, interactive stories to educate children about online grooming, and online resources and forums for young carers. 

“The not-for-profit sector plays an important role in supporting the government to address complex social issues, especially those that disproportionately affect the most vulnerable,” Minister Rowland said. 

“These grants will help unlock each recipient’s unique expertise to create new channels and content addressing specific issues and age groups, helping us to reach more Australians with vital online safety education.”  

Source: Minister for Communications media release. Content has been edited for style and length.

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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