Extra time for a share in half million dollars to stop cyberbullying

Applications for a share in $500,000 worth of grants to tackle cyberbullying have been extended to 21 July.

Minister for Youth Di Farmer said grants between $500 and $1500 for young Queenslanders aged 10 – 17 years and grants of $1500 – $5000 for community organisations were available to develop bright initiatives to tackle cyberbullying.

“While students may have found it difficult to find time during the school semester, this extension makes it that much easier for them to apply over the school holidays,” she said.

“The grants are designed to support young people become part of the solution in calling out and rejecting abusive, hurtful or intimidating online behaviour.

“We know technology can be exploited to intentionally harm young people and it happens far too often.

“There are many benefits for kids being online, but they’re not without risk.

“That’s why it is important for us to work together to raise awareness and learn new ways to support friends and family when we see cyberbullying occurring.”

Ms Farmer said there were many ways the grants could be used to promote positive messages through video, song, designing a game or staging targeted activities.

“Kids can come up with a project on their own, or team up with friends as a group,” she said.

“Either way, it’s a creative and unique opportunity to develop ideas that we want to see grow into a state-wide push for respectful and positive relationships.”

The grants program was one of the Palaszczuk Government’s responses to the Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce Report released in October 2018.

The cyberbullying grants are open until 21 July. For full details on how to apply visit www.qld.gov.au/tacklecyberbullying

For more information on the Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce Report and recommendations visit www.qld.gov.au/cyberbullyingtaskforce

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