Rex Patrick (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

  (i) warnings from experts that smartphones are diluting students' focus in the classroom and curbing students' social skills,

  (ii) smartphones can be used by students in order to engage in cyberbullying,

  (iii) that, since the Office of the eSafety Commissioner was established in July 2015, it has resolved approximately 670 complaints in relation to cyberbullying,

  (iv) complaints to the Office of the eSafety Commissioner, in relation to cyberbullying, increased by 63 per cent between 2015-16 and 2016-17, and

  (v) that, the Office of the eSafety Commissioner reports that, in the 12 months to June 2016, 8 per cent of children and 19 per cent of teenagers were cyberbullied; and

(b) calls on state and territory education ministers, in consultation with the Federal Government, to develop clear guidelines to prevent inappropriate use of smartphones in classrooms.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

While states and territories are responsible for bullying policies in schools, the Australian government believes that bullying is unacceptable. The government supports measures that help young people to be better educated about appropriate online behaviour and to be aware of the consequences of cyberbullying. This includes the 'Bullying. No Way!' website, the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence and the Student Wellbeing Hub website. The eSafety Commissioner's website provides online safety advice, an online helpline and tips to keep children safe using social media, search engines and online games. The commissioner provides classroom resources, funds certified online safety programs in schools and administers a complaints system that removes harmful material.

Question agreed to.