Helping young people thrive—online and offline
From private messages to public posts, teenagers today are navigating a digital world that didn’t exist a generation ago. For families, this brings new challenges and new responsibilities.
At St Michael’s, we know that supporting a young person’s digital life is about more than screen time limits. It’s about giving them the tools to be safe, thoughtful, and respectful participants in online spaces.
This article unpacks some of the key issues young people are facing online—including sextortion, image-based abuse and digital footprints and how we can work together to build their awareness, resilience and confidence behind the screen.
What do we mean by digital literacy?
Digital literacy is more than knowing how to use technology. It’s about understanding the information we interact with, the impact of our online behaviours, and the responsibilities we carry.
It’s the ability to:
- Think critically about what we see and share.
- Use technology in safe, respectful and ethical ways.
- Understand how our digital footprint shapes our future.
A digital footprint includes everything a person posts, clicks, searches or shares—but also passive data, like location settings or browsing history. These traces can last far longer than we expect, and shape things like employment, university admissions and online reputation.
Talking about digital literacy from a really young age, about how to act online, how to be safe, is really key to ensuring they continue this trend into their teen years and beyond.Jade Domingo, Health and PE Faculty Teacher
Key issues facing young people today
Through their digital lives, young people may encounter situations that are emotionally distressing or potentially harmful. Among the most serious are:
Sexting and sextortion
Sextortion is a form of blackmail where someone threatens to share intimate images unless demands are met. This can lead to anxiety, shame, and financial pressure. Young people may not realise that even consensual image-sharing can be used against them later—especially by strangers using fake profiles.
Warning signs of a fake profile might include:
- Poor spelling or grammar
- Refusal to show their face on video
- Instant requests for sexual content
- Promises to delete content or switch apps quickly
Image-based abuse
Also referred to as “revenge porn,” this involves sharing or threatening to share someone’s private images without consent. In Australia, this is a serious offence, and support is available to have content removed and legal steps taken.
Online shame and silence
Students who experience harm online often hesitate to seek help. Common reasons include:
- Fear of losing access to their devices.
- Worry about being blamed or judged.
- Concern that their privacy won’t be respected.
- Belief that it’s too late to fix the situation.
What students are learning at St Michael’s
Through our Health and Wellbeing curriculum, we address these challenges head-on. Across Years 7–10, students learn how to:
- Identify and respond to online risks.
- Set healthy boundaries in digital spaces.
- Recognise coercive behaviours and false trust.
- Support peers in distress and seek help from trusted adults.
Programs are informed by expert resources from the eSafety Commission, ACCCE, and Victoria Legal Aid, and revisited at multiple year levels to build student understanding and confidence over time.
Our aim is to normalise conversations about safety, consent and digital respect—so students feel empowered, not ashamed.
Here at School, we have our Heads of House, our Psychologist, our tutors, and our Directors of Learning — so there are many people here to support our young people.Kelsey Fox, Head of Health (K-12) & PE (7 - 12)
What parents can do: guidance without overreaction
Your voice as a parent or carer matters, especially when it’s calm, open and non-judgmental. If your child comes to you about an online issue, how you respond makes all the difference.
Helpful responses:
- “I’m really glad you told me.”
- “This must feel overwhelming — I’m here to support you.”
- “Let’s work through this together.”
Unhelpful responses:
- “What were you thinking?”
- “You’re not getting your phone back.”
- “Just ignore it.”
- “You’re banned from all your apps”
Punitive or dismissive reactions can lead young people to stay silent next time, even when they’re at risk.
If a young person is coming to you with any of these issues, they're going to be scared—we want to make sure that they feel supported, in particular by parents, even though you might be overwhelmed.Kelsey Fox, Head of Health (K-12) & PE (7 - 12)
Final takeaways
- Consistency is powerful: When schools and families send the same message, students are more likely to listen.
- Open conversations matter: Young people need to know they won’t be punished for asking for help.
- Repetition works: These lessons are taught and re-taught across multiple year levels for deeper impact.
- Your support counts: A calm, informed response from you may be the thing that keeps your child safe.
Together, we can help young people make safe, informed and respectful choices online — and ensure their digital lives reflect the same care and integrity we nurture offline.
Where to go for help
- eSafety Commission: Australia’s independent online safety regulator, helping remove harmful content and support victims of abuse.
esafety.gov.au - Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE): Reports and investigates serious cases of child exploitation, image-based abuse and sextortion.
accce.gov.au - Victoria Legal Aid: Provides legal information on sexting, consent and youth rights.
legalaid.vic.gov.au
