Premier welcomes YouTube offer to partner on anti-cyber bullying

LOS ANGELES: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has visited YouTube Space Hub in Los Angeles and secured the global online video sharing platform's cooperation to tackle cyber bullying.

Premier Palaszczuk said in addition to working with YouTube, she would ask Anti-Cyber Bullying Task Force Chair Madonna King to consider the role of YouTube creators to develop content for audiences impacted by bullying – with a particular focus on cyber-bullying.

“If we are going to tackle cyber bullying, we need a multi-layered approach that brings the anti-bullying message out of the classroom and onto the digital platforms young people are increasingly engaging with," she said.

“By working with YouTube and its influential creators we can develop original content to support vulnerable young Queenslanders and equip them with the tools to combat harassment and peer pressure.

“We know Australians – particularly young Australians – are increasingly turning to YouTube for entertainment, tutorials and news.

“Sixy-eight per cent of Australian children aged 0-14 are viewing children’s programs offered on-demand on YouTube and over 70 per cent of teenagers watch a video on YouTube every day.

“I am keen to see more young Queenslanders creating content for a worldwide audience with a YouTube Space of our own.”

In Los Angeles, the Premier toured the digital stage space, which offers events, workshops and the latest production resources for enthusiastic creators looking to make their mark through online video.

There are currently nine established YouTube Spaces in cities across the world including Berlin, London, Mumbai, New York, Paris, Rio, Tokyo and Toronto.

Five Queensland creators – with over 1.1 million YouTube subscribers between them - have previously visited the YouTube Space Hub in Los Angeles as part of the three-year Create Queensland Program launched by the Palaszczuk Government in 2015.

The Create Queensland partnership with YouTube was the first of its kind for an Australian state government.

With Queensland emerging as an international startup and innovation hotspot, the Premier said she hoped to see the country’s first YouTube Space established in the state.

"We will continue to work with YouTube on expanding its presence and workforce in Queensland," she said.

Please find video overlay of the Premier's visit to YouTube offices in Los Angeles at this link.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier's office) 0417 263 791