The Australian Federal Government has announced a new pilot project aimed at reducing cyber bullying in Australian schools. The $3 million project, deals with safety issues in online communications, such as social networking, will be implemented in 150 schools across Australia. The cyber bullying issue came into the spotlight recently in Australia when the mother of a 14 year old girl blamed her suicide on the Internet. The girl’s suicide was the fourth suicide case in six months in the same school. In a further effort, the Government has decided to set up a Youth Advisory Group made up of 305 youths to advise the Government on cyber bullying issues. This initiative complements the recently launched Cybersmart Web site.

Source: Govt pilots anti-cyber bullying project, Computer World, August 3, 2009.

Tags: Cyber bullying, Australia