Telstra Foundation's Digital Futures program has officially launched in Cessnock and the Mallee. The program is addressing the digital divide for regional young people. Check out what the program presenters have to say.
The Digital Futures program – a collaborative initiative between the Telstra Foundation and PROJECT ROCKIT – has officially launched in Cessnock NSW and Mallee VIC. The program is part of a three-year partnership aimed at addressing the digital divide for regional young people as identified in our Australian Youth Digital Index.
By empowering young people through digital citizenship, online safety and cyberbullying prevention while offering free access to digital education and support, the Digital Futures program will help to create a safer and more inclusive online environment for students in these communities.
The program’s kick-off has been met with great excitement from students and educators. It not only increases students’ technology skills but also fosters a sense of confidence and resilience in navigating the digital world. It’s set to make a significant impact for regional teens, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of participating in the digital world.
From the Telstra Foundation Australian Youth Digital Index we learned that young people from major cities in Australia (70%) have a significantly higher Skills Score compared to young people from regional/remote areas (66%).
In addition, young people from regional/remote areas in Australia (50%) are less likely than young people from major cities (67%) to agree that they receive good training at university to use technology, or to have been taught how to code at school (major cities: 52%, regional/remote: 44%).
For program presenters Ruby and Riley, Cessnock felt like a close-knit and community-focussed town. Just by visiting local bakeries between workshops, they were greeted by locals who were proud to share some of the tourist and nature activities in the local area. The schools Ruby and Riley delivered at held the same warm feeling.
Students expressed their excitement in participating in the workshops and showed them what they do to support their mates going through a rough time. They were eager to participate and contribute meaningfully to conversations around calling out hate and showing up at school with kindness and respect.
While wrapping up their SYNC workshop at Cessnock West Public School, students were enthusiastically naming strategies they will commit to using to have a better time online. Their favourites were 'always leave positive compliments in comment sections' and 'reach out to a trusted adult'.
Program presenter Ruby at a local payphone in Cessnock.
Program presenters Ella and Larise headed off to spend a week in Mallee (the most north-westerly part of Victoria, Australia). Ella and Larise spent a week visiting 3 different schools whose students needed extra support. These were a mix of primary, secondary and prep-12 schools, all with various student demographics, cohort sizes and access to resources.
Ella and Larise absolutely loved being invited into these different spaces and having the opportunity to learn from the students about their experiences as young people growing up in Australia. Students often don't know what to expect when they have organisations joining them for workshops like this, but the presenters were stoked to hear such great feedback from them.
That was actually so much fun, thank you so much.
- Students from the workshop.
In meeting with the students from Chaffey Secondary College and Nichols Point Primary School, PROJECT ROCKIT feels confident that when it comes to challenging bullying and hate, the young people of Mallee are more equipped than ever before. Ella and Larise also left Mallee with some new bling, as the students of Nichols Point Primary School had gifted them some impressive handmade bracelets to express their gratitude!
Program presenters Larise and Ella.
The program includes in-person student workshops as well as tools and resources for schools, students and parents/carers. The program fosters self-awareness, critical thinking, boundary setting and balanced online engagement, helping young people thrive in digital spaces by building their digital citizenship skills.
From February 2025, schools located in the first round of targeted regional locations will receive an offer to participate in the free digital safety and wellbeing program. Regional communities selected for Round 1 include:
VIC: Traralgon, Wonthaggi, Robinvale, Mallee
TAS: Launceston, Scottsdale, Devonport, Burnie
NSW: Wollongong, Cessnock, Lake Macquarie
For more information about the program and how to get involved visit PROJECT ROCKIT.
Telstra Foundation’s mission is to create a better-connected world for children and young people so they can live healthier lives online.
