A passionate advocate for a safer online world.
Susan is Australia's leading expert in the area of cyber safety and was a member of Victoria Police for 27 years. She was the first Victoria Police officer appointed to a position involving cybersafety and young people where she established and managed the Victoria Police Cybersafety Project. She has completed advanced training in the USA in 2007, 2012 & 2015 including the Protecting Children Online Certificate from Fox Valley Technical College and has successfully completed the \University Certificate in Child Safety on the Internet from the University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom.
She also has qualifications from Netsmartz/NCMEC (USA) and NSPCC/CEOP (UK). She has also been awarded The National Medal, the Victoria Police Service Medal - 2nd Clasp, and the National Police Medal. Susan presents to over 250,000 students each year as well as tens of thousands of parents and educators both within Australia and Internationally.
Susan is a published author with her book Sexts Texts and Selfies, acknowledged as the definitive guide to online safety. She collaborates with a variety of international bodies Susan has developed comprehensive Policy for a range of organisations and authored resources for the Victorian Education Department. She is the commentator of choice for both Australian and International media where she is known for her clear and balanced comments.
Talking Points
For Businesses: Cybersafety considerations for your business & employees
The session will be tailored specifically to your business needs and will include:For Businesses: Cybersafety considerations for your business & employees
-The digital landscape Fact V Fiction
- Cyberbullying and online harassment in the workplace
- Social Networking
- ‘Sexting’
Misuse of tech– including legal consequences and the possible criminal charges. Knowing what cyberbullying and harassment is and how it occurs?
- Dangers and risks
- Safety tips – how to stay safe online.
- Legislation and Legal considerations – when to involve law enforcement. When has a crime been committed? Provision of a safe workplace.
- Where next to next? – considerations and policy development, online safety for staff (how to protect your privacy) & ethical issues around staff internet use.
For Parents: Growing Up Online
An educational & empowering session for Parents and carers, Susan’s unparalleled knowledge leaves audiences shocked at the reality of the online world. It is a wake up call to even the most switched on parent and is delivered with Susan's famous 'no nonsense' approach. The session will cover the positive benefits of technology as well as what parents need to be aware of:For Parents: Growing Up Online
- Reality & Risk. The reality of the online world. It’s not a matter of if – rather than when.
- What are kids doing online. Learn the latests apps and platforms your kids are either on, want to be on or are being told about at school. TikTok, Discord, Yolo, Wink & more.
- Online Grooming. What is it and when/how does it occur? Preventative measures. What are the warning signs & what to do if you suspect this is happening to your child.
- Cyberbullying. What it is, where it happens, what it looks like, how to prevent and what to do if it occurs. Also the legal consequences and the possible criminal charges.
- Sharing Nudes. The taking and sending of explicit images. The social and emotional consequences as well as the Law and the serious issue of Sextortion and AI
- Problematic Gaming. How to manage digital devices in your home to avoid problems and what to do if/when they arise.
- Exposure to damaging content. Including online pornography & site that encourage suicide, self harm & eating disorders.
- Top Tips– how to assist the children in your care to stay safe online with rules, parental controls and restriction passcodes.
The session will conclude with time for questions.
For Teachers: Caring for kids in an online world
Duration: This PD session is typically 90 mins. The PD can also be delivered over a ½ day or full day, which includes an interactive quiz and working through actual scenarios.For Teachers: Caring for kids in an online world
This professional development session for educators/youth workers will cover:
- What are the sites young people are using? Cyberbullying, Sexting, Sextortion, Grooming and gaming.
Legal considerations and relevant laws are also covered.
- Where to next for your school?
Considerations and policy development – What to include in Policy including the issue of photos and videos? Has permission been obtained? What about students or parents taking pictures at a school event?
- Online safety for teachers and staff
How to protect your privacy.
- Professional Conduct
Should staff maintain public social networking sites? Relevant state guidelines. Social interactions with students online.
- Questions?
For Primary School Students: How to have fun and stay safe online!
Duration: This PD session is 90 minsFor Primary School Students: How to have fun and stay safe online!
Please note that sessions can be tailored to suit your school’s requirements in relation to the content or as a result of a specific concern.
Susan’s fun and interactive Primary School student session is suitable for students in the final four years of primary school and two-year levels can be combined if a suitable venue is available. The theme of this 90 – 100 minute session is Respect and Responsibility. Students complete a comprehensive three-page workbook which reinforces the learning outcomes. The book is signed by the student in class then taken home & signed by a parent/guardian to acknowledge and reinforce the content discussed. This can be a very useful tool for schools should online issues arise & can also be used for further classroom sessions.
This age-appropriate, fun & interactive session for primary students includes discussion, a vibrant power point presentation and is supported by videos and Susan’s real-life experiences. Topics covered include…
- Rules and Laws
Where are they found, why we have them and what happens when we break them? Susan challenges the students to think clearly about their decisions.
- Cyberbullying
What is cyberbullying and how/when does it happen? How does it make a victim feel and what can we do if we see it happen or if it is happening to us. Did you know that cyberbullying is a crime & Police can be involved?
- Online ‘friends’
These online ‘friends’ are not really a friend. How strangers find us online and what they might ask us to do. We look at online child sexual predators, where they hang out and how to avoid. What is online grooming and who is at risk? What are the sites & apps that children are using and what are the age requirements for each site? How wrong information about some apps is leading to poor decisions.
- Staying safe online
How we can be as safe as possible online. How we can be as safe as possible online. How to identify a problem and what can we do if there is a problem. Why it is important that online rules are NOT broken or disobeyed?
- How to be a good Digital Citizen – Questions and Discussion Time?
For Secondary Students: What you really need to know about staying safe online
Duration: 90 minutesFor Secondary Students: What you really need to know about staying safe online
Susan’s secondary school student sessions are delivered with clarity and humour and will challenge all students to stop and think about what they do online and what the consequences might be for them not only today but for the rest of their lives. After a few minutes, Susan has even the most challenging audience listening intently as she recounts her extensive experience in this space, from her first report of cyberbullying in 1994 to her training with the FBI, her visits to Meta HQ, consulting with Roblox, Epic Games and Discord to her work with elite sports clubs and other organisations. Two or three year levels can be in the same presentation if a suitable venue is available. The theme of this 90min or double period session is Respect and Responsibility. Schools love Susan’s ability to connect with her audience and tell it like it is. Students respond to the clear way Susan presents which leaves them with no doubt about what they need to do to stay safe online.
This age-appropriate & interactive session for secondary students includes discussion, a vibrant power point presentation and Susan’s real-life experiences. Time for questions is included at the end of the session & Susan is will chat privately with students who may need advice about a sensitive issue.
- The Facts
What do you need to know about cyberspace in order to make good online decisions. Fact V Fiction.
- Digital Reputation
How what you do online now and what you post will have an impact on your future opportunities. What do people look for and how to make your digital reputation as positive as possible.
- Cyberbullying
What is cyberbullying and how/when does it happen? How does it make a victim feel and what can we do if we see it happen or if it is happening to us. Did you know that cyberbullying is a crime & Police can be involved?
- Online ‘friends’
These online ‘friends’ are not really a friend. How strangers find us online and what they might ask us to do. We look at online child sexual predators, where they hang out and how to avoid. What is online grooming and who is at risk?
- Sexting
What is sexting? The sending, receiving & possessing naked or sexually explicit images. What are the real consequences for under 18’s, pressure to conform and legal considerations?
Sextortion and the use of AI and what to do if this happens to you.
- Staying safe online
How we can be as safe as possible online. How to set up a safe social networking site.
- Questions and Discussion Time?
Susan was informative and entertaining and very clear in her advice to parents. Her experience in the field was evident and her PowerPoint presentation was well supported by her real life sc ... keep reading Mercedes College
Susan is an excellent presenter. She is personable and easy to get on with. She is also quick, clever and witty. Her presentations were well received and contained a lot of excellent and current information.
Susan's presentation made a huge impact upon our students. The students were fully engaged and understood the key messages of the presentation. I have had numerous reports about students initiating dialogue about cybersafety and cyberbullying with their parents as a direct result of the presentation. The parent presentation was excellent also and many parents have thanked us for arranging it. We also greatly appreciate Susan's flexibility in accommodating a last minute change of time.
Susan was a good fit with the audience and was spot on with the way she pitched the information and related to the participants, she was excellent.
Susan had the students engaged at all times. The parent seminar was well attended and we received very positive feedback. Thank you for your fantastic presentations.
