Queensland Government’s Chief Information Officer Andrew Mills shares his thoughts about cybersafety and has some A+ tips for families
Tell us about the Out of the Dark Expo.
On 11 March at the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) is hosting a public event to support children, young people and families to keep themselves and their children safe from online child sexual exploitation.
At the Out of the Dark Expo, leaders in online safety will come together to showcase products and strategies to help raise awareness to keep our kids safe online.
As a government we need to keep our customers safe when they interact with us.
I’m on the Out of the Dark Steering Committee and my team are working to support this event along with organisations such as Bravehearts, the Carly Ryan Foundation and the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.
How is the Queensland Government Chief Information Office (QGCIO) involved in cybersafety?
Cybersafety is important to us. At the QGCIO we have a dedicated cybersecurity team that provides guidance to government agencies about ensuring government systems and information is safe from cyber threats.
As well, a number of our IT graduates are members of the youth-led Out of the Dark Working Group who have been working with the QFCC to develop products that encourage online safety for young people. These products, to be showcased at the Out of the Dark Expo, educate, empower and protect young people while they are online and include a simulation game, a website that brings together a range of resources (which will be launched at the expo), a branching narrative game (based on You Tube) and a series of rap songs.
What is the Bravehearts project that QGCIO is involved in?
Bravehearts is an organisation on a mission to make Australia the safest place in the world to raise a child. They are working to prevent child sexual assault.
We’re working with Bravehearts and the Out of the Dark Working Group to help Bravehearts improve their Join the Dots idea, so kids, or anyone for that matter, can report if someone has approached them online or if they see something that isn’t quite right.
At the expo, we will be looking to the young people and their parents, friends and carers to talk to us and provide some feedback and ideas on the reporting tool concept so we can scope the best enhancements.
How do you feel about being involved in projects like this?
I think it’s great that a ‘policy team’ like ours gets to be involved in a serious community issue. It’s also a bonus that we’re creating terrific things that are targeted and will really resonate with the young audience and at the same time have direct involvement with the safety of Queenslanders.
How can we keep young people safe online?
‘Digital’ really is a double-edged sword — so many opportunities are opened up in the digital world, but it can be dangerous. I encourage everyone to:
- start the conversation with kids and young people about the potential risks of being online
- actively research and educate themselves about how to be safe online
- use the right cyber safety/security tools to protect our kids and families.
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