Cyber safety campaign launched for high school students

The Marketing Syndicate has collaborated with Palo Alto Networks and the NSW Department of Education to launch a cyber safety awareness campaign aimed at high school students.

This campaign is timed to coincide with Cyber Security Awareness Month and highlights the growing need to educate teenagers about online safety. The initiative addresses the unique ways teenagers engage with content, aiming to be more effective than traditional safety messaging.

Charlie Sukkar, Chief Information Officer for the NSW Department of Education, commented on the initiative's importance: "Our teachers and students can use the new resources to start conversations on issues such as gaming safely online and inappropriate content, and learn how to keep safe and where to get help. These are powerful tools that will make a difference for our high school students. I'm confident this initiative will resonate with students and raise essential awareness about cyber safety."

Lisa Sim, Cyber Safe Kids Director, Asia Pacific and Japan at Palo Alto Networks, stated: "At Palo Alto Networks, we recognise the critical need to engage and educate teenagers about the growing risks in today's digital world. This campaign is especially important as it speaks directly to high school students, a group that is increasingly vulnerable to online threats. By working closely with TMS and the NSW Department of Education, we've been able to craft compelling, relatable content that empowers students to take control of their online safety. Raising awareness among young people is key to building a safer digital future, and we're proud to be part of an initiative that makes such an impact during Cyber Security Awareness Month."

The campaign involves close collaboration with teens throughout the creative process, utilising talent near the teenage demographic and dynamic sound design to garner attention and create emotional connections. Nicole Bogaard, Client Service & Strategy Director at TMS, remarked: "Teenagers want to feel understood and heard. Our approach, involving teens every step of the way, ensured the success of the campaign. It was vital to educate in a way that connected with them personally."

This initiative is designed to engage teenagers with relevant and emotionally resonant content, covering crucial topics such as gaming safety and navigating inappropriate content online. By working closely with teens throughout the creative process, we've crafted educational resources that speak directly to their concerns and digital experiences. The campaign is set to make a lasting impact in raising awareness and promoting safe online practices.

This initiative not only aims to inform students about staying safe online but also directs them to resources, including the eSafety Commissioner, Kids Helpline, and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), ensuring support is readily available.