With reports of inappropriate social media usage in schools, Sandy asked a Question on Notice in Parliament on 10 June 2025 requesting the Minister for Education advise what is being implemented to protect students and prevent any further similar occurrences across Queensland as a matter of urgency. The following in italics is the response received outlining measures being undertaken.
Ongoing cybersafety awareness promotion for students, staff and parents is a key focus of the Queensland Government. The department is dedicated Cybersafety and Reputation Management Team collaborates with social media platforms to report and request removal of inappropriate or extreme content impacting student and staff wellbeing.
Support is provided to all Queensland state schools for reporting and handling online misconduct, harmful content and digital technology misuse. Cybersafety resources are available for all state schools, as well as promotion of the eSafety Commissioner’s School Hub with a suite of resources for schools.
Schools can also purchase professional online or face-to-face online safety education for students and parents through the eSafety Commissioner’s endorsed Trusted eSafety Provider program. The department is committed to working with experts, schools and the community to implement research-informed strategies that support safe and inclusive school environments across Queensland.
All state schools provide explicit teaching of respectful relationships education from Kindergarten to Year 12, including through the delivery of Health and Physical Education and/or wellbeing programs. The Crisafulli Government has restored $1.2 million in funding for respectful relationships education that the former Labor government had planned to cut on 30 June 2025.
The teaching of respectful relationships education operates alongside and in connection with the department’s student protection policy and procedure, bullying prevention initiatives and cyber safety resources.
On 22 April 2025, the Queensland Government announced a $33 million investment in antibullying initiatives. The new initiatives include establishing an Anti-Bullying Stakeholder Reference Group, Rapid Support Squads, additional funding for chaplains and student wellbeing officers, expanding Parentline, including the introduction of a parent navigator, and developing new and updated professional development resources.
The Anti-Bullying Stakeholder Reference Group, chaired by Professor Donna Pendergast AM and comprising experts in bullying, childhood development, adolescent mental health, parenting, and online safety is set to convene in July 2025. A key focus of the discussion will be bullying associated with the use of AI generated images.
In addition, on 20 June 2025, the Minister, Director-General, and parent associations met to discuss and explore what collective action can be taken to address cyberbullying.
In relation to non-state schools, they are independent from the government and responsible for their own operations and policies, including the use of social media.
The Non-State Schools Accreditation Board (NSSAB) is the independent statutory body established under the Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Act 2017 and is responsible for the accreditation and ongoing monitoring of non-state schools in Queensland.
NSSAB has taken a proactive approach to educating non-state schools and the Chairs of their governing bodies about mandatory reporting requirements. This includes NSSAB delivering face-to-face and online forums for principals and governing body chairs of non-state schools twice in 2025 with a focus on child safety and protection.
In accordance with section 123 of the Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Act 2017, I have directed NSSAB to write to all Queensland non-state school governing body chairs to again remind them of their mandatory reporting obligations for child safety and protection.
I have also directed NSSAB to audit at least 10% of non-state schools and apply a risk-based identification approach to assess their child protection and child safety processes and implementation.
NSSAB will be providing an update on these matters upon completion of the audit.
We would appreciate any feedback from Noosa electorate residents to inform our ongoing advocacy via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.
Further information
For those who wish to directly advocate, email the Queensland Minister for Education via education@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please copy our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward us any response you receive.
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