Student Edge Members Make a Massive Impact at eSafety19

When young people are given a voice, good things happen.

We were incredibly proud to provide the eSafety Office and Netsafe NZ with two Student Edge members for their eSafety19 conference in Sydney earlier this month.

To speak on the theme of "the online world we want", students Alan and Kira were invited to share their youth perspectives on panels alongside esteemed academics and professionals in the social media space.

Alan took the main stage for "Social media: negotiating the high and lows", establishing just what social media offers young people like him. (Spoiler alert: It's not all bad!)

Alan says social media provides anonymity which scares the adults but really gives young people opportunity to speak freely and openly on issues affecting them - they become part of conversations they may have otherwise avoided #eSafety19

— Idil van der Linden (@idil_vdl) September 11, 2019

School student Alan on the #socialmedia panel has called out adults: be a better example, have better critical thinking, behave better, learn more, understand more. Love it! #TeamAlan #esafety19

— Social Critic (@SocialCriticAU) September 11, 2019

Insightful comment by student Alan. Adult role models collides - the disconnect of adults behaviour online. #eSafety19 pic.twitter.com/tIh7i8FDhE

— Sue McAleer (@SueMcAleer) September 11, 2019

Social media with human dignity honoured - words from Alan the student, wow #esafety19

— R Hoad (@hoadr) September 12, 2019

Social Media The Highs & Lows panel #eSafety19 with ’Alan’ opening up the conversation stating the positive that he sees with Social Media is that it enables him to connect. pic.twitter.com/kpkIp55w10

— Bradley Deacon 🇦🇺 (@BradleyWDeacon) September 11, 2019

Kira then offered her perspective on the panel "Elevating young people's voices and breaking down barriers", establishing the ways in which she's capitalised on the technology to make positive change.

Bhaj and Kira share the ways they have been fostering change for young people in their communities including creating their own lesson for classes @NetsafeYAS #eSafety19 @eSafetyOffice pic.twitter.com/XWUIQApCfz

— Netsafe NZ (@netsafeNZ) September 12, 2019

Kira talks about the support networks available to young people and how some parents might feel like their child's behaviour reflects on them #eSafety19

— Netsafe NZ (@netsafeNZ) September 12, 2019

Both were also featured in pre-recorded videos that played throughout the conference.

Thanks again to the eSafety Office and Netsafe NZ for helping give these awesome Australians a platform to share their insights. When young people are given a voice, good things happen.

And what incredible insights and understanding our young students brought to to #eSafety19 in person & via video message. Kira, Alan, Bhaj and the .@NetsafeYAS .@student_edge https://t.co/ybhh4iV4zH

— Sue McAleer (@SueMcAleer) September 13, 2019

Header Image: eSafety Office