Created by the Alannah & Madeline Foundation in 2015, the Digital Licence was developed by a team of cyber safety experts, technologists and teachers to keep children safe online.
The Digital Licence is a certification program providing online safety for kids, educating them on what to do if they are exposed to unwanted, inappropriate and offensive content; encounter cyber bullying; or consequences of putting their privacy at risk when interacting in an online environment.
The Digital Licence has been designed for use in environments where children learn and play, to support and celebrate digital inclusion and online knowledge for the whole community – at home, at school, and at the library.
How it works
Through an interactive, online quiz children complete a range of questions tailored to their age group to evaluate their comprehension of key cyber safety topics including:- Risky behaviours (relates to privacy and relationship practices)
- Online reputation (creating a positive digital footprint for future employers)
- (Private) Messaging and Location-based Apps (trending issue relating to privacy & bullying)
- Internet and technology addiction/obsession/compulsion
In order to be awarded a ‘digital licence’, children must complete all eight modules of each test with an 80% pass mark.
Each of the key topics can be retaken multiple times, for fun and to cement learning.
The Digital Licence in New Zealand
As of 2017, close to 200,000 students from over 2,000 schools are already using the Digital Licence in Australia.After continued success in Australia, the Digital Licence has now launched in New Zealand thanks to a partnership between the Google New Zealand and the Alannah & Madeline Foundation.
About the Alannah & Madeline Foundation
On 28 April 1996 at the historical Port Arthur site in Tasmania, 35 people were tragically killed.
Two small children, Alannah and Madeline Mikac, aged six and three, along with their mother, died that day. This terrible act of violence empowered Alannah and Madeline's father, Walter Mikac, Phil West and a small group of volunteers, including Gaye and John Fidler who survived Port Arthur, to set up the Foundation, a national charity with the belief that all children should have a safe and happy childhood without being subjected to any form of violence. It was launched on 30 April 1997 by the Prime Minister of Australia.
Since that day the Alannah & Madeline Foundation has become one of Australia’s most respected children’s charities, continuing to protect children from violence and its devastating impact.
We care for children who have experienced or witnessed serious violence; reduce the incidence of bullying, cyber bullying and other cyber risks; and, advocate for the safety and wellbeing of children.
Find out more about the Alannah & Madeline Foundation.