A new $2 million program, funded by the Telstra Foundation, will tackle bullying and harassment of children using the internet and mobile phones across Australia.

The Telstra Foundation’s new program will provide grants starting from $75,000 per year over three years for organisations to tackle cyber safety issues ranging from bullying to internet addiction and identity theft.

Telstra Foundation Chairman, Herb Elliott AC, MBE, said children were using the internet and mobile phones at an increasingly young age, but unfortunately some were becoming victims of bullying and harassment, and even crime.

“Sadly, there are more and more reported incidents of children and young people who are victimised at the hands of bullies or people doing the wrong thing online,” Mr Elliott said.

“We want to reverse this growing trend, and support programs and research that help keep kids safe while they make the most of the exciting opportunities the internet and mobile phones offer.

“In particular, the cyber safety grants will focus on funding programs to help educate parents about online technology, and simple steps they can take to create a safe online learning and social environment for their child.”

Dr Judith Slocombe, CEO of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, said the Telstra Foundation program targets anti-social cyber behaviour, and strategies to protect children needed to be developed.

“Parents should take responsibility for cyber safety; it is just like any other issue, from drugs to safe sex,” she said.

“It's a broad issue, from gaming addiction, to the grooming of children for sexual offences.”

The Telstra Foundation program will focus on four areas:

• encouraging children and young people to be actively involved in developing solutions;
• approaches that assist in educating parents to become more competent in addressing cyber safety issues;
• research that will enrich understanding of cyber safety issues; and
• approaches that bring together the community to share ideas and information.