SECONDARY BYTE:

First appeared in Anglican Cyber Tuesdays 12/03/2020. 

Cover image from Cyberbullying.Org Inspirational Images  

The online world can be overwhelming and things that started as a joke may have unintended consequences.  Sure, there may be some consequences, however, nothing is so bad that someone can’t help you.  Really there is someone who can assist you and may even have been through something similar in the past.  

There is always someone you can talk to:

• Parents or carers;
• A trusted adult;
• A school counsellor or student protection officer – yep they are amazing and can help you.
• Your teacher  – especially if it relates to a concern with another student at school!
• Your School Online Safety Champion – Do you know who your champion is? They can help you navigate issues in the online world!

If you can’t access those people or want to talk to someone else or need some further information, check out the information libraries available at eHeadspace or the Kids Helpline:

• eHeadspace  https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/
• Kids Helpline https://kidshelpline.com.au/

You can also call a qualified counsellor at:

• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
• Life line 13 11 14

You can tell them plainly what you need help with or what you are worried about.

The Kids Helpline outlines some things you can do when a worry starts to feel overwhelming:

1. Talk to someone you can trust!
2. Do something you enjoy to refocus
3. Take a bath
4. Listen to music, watch a movie and a read book
5. Distract yourself with chores, exercise or play a game
6. Spend time with a pet or a loved one
7. Don’t make important decisions until you feel better

Let’s revisit and add 2 more points!

8. The Safety Commissioner maintains an amazing wellbeing directory and a literal library of information about online safety. Check it out first!

9. See point 1: Share it!!! With a responsible and trusted adult. Talk to your teacher, counsellor or student protection officer especially if there is a concern with someone at your school. Our school’s online safety champion is part of an online safety network and can help.  Everyone makes mistakes and can get themselves in over their head. Whatever the situation there are people who want to help.