An online education program that encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teenagers to be cybersafe has won an international award.
Cybersmart’s Be Deadly Online won the gold medal for general education at the World Media Festival in Hamburg, Germany, one of more than 700 entries from 36 countries. The festival honours excellence in international film, TV, web, web TV and print.
A series of three animations, Be Deadly Online tackles cyberbullying, sexting and digital footprint management.
“This award confirms that while it portrays some tough aspects of online behaviour in Indigenous communities, Be Deadly Online is a fun and effective way to get an important message across," said Australian Communications and Media Authority deputy chairman Richard Bean.
"Cyberbullying, sexting and digital footprint issues don’t just affect the victim—they can have a significant effect on whole communities. Be Deadly Online explores the impact of these behaviours through characters and a storyline that young people can relate to, in a medium that will reach them. “
Since the launch of Be Deadly Online on April 11, Cybersmart has been inundated with requests for the program. The animations are supported with posters, a behind-the-scenes making-of video and educational resources.
To access Be Deadly Online, visit www.cybersmart.gov.au/BeDeadlyOnline
The ACMA won gold at the festival in 2012 for its cyberbullying short film Tagged.