At the EduTech conference in Sydney this week, a compelling panel titled Navigating Gen AI and Online Safety brought together thought leaders from the Optus Digital Thumbprint program, education, academia, and youth engagement to address one of the most pressing issues of our time: how to support young Australians in safely navigating an increasingly AI-driven digital world.
The Optus Digital Thumbprint program has empowered over 665,000 Australian students with critical digital skills since 2013. With the introduction of its newest workshop on Generative AI and Online Safety, the program is once again evolving to meet emerging digital challenges.
Helen Maisano, Senior Director, Group Sustainability at Optus, outlined how the Digital Thumbprint program is tackling rising concerns such as deepfakes, cyberbullying, and online scams. “With AI now influencing how we live, learn and work, AI literacy has become the new essential digital literacy,” she said.
Optus Navigating Gen AI, Online Safety with Digital Thumbprint
The new workshop aims to help young people critically assess and safely engage with AI tools, highlighting risks like algorithmic bias and recommender systems, scams, deep fakes and sexual extortion.
Dr. Jo Orlando PhD, a leading Digital Safety Expert at Western Sydney University, provided insights from research showing that young people are already actively engaging with generative AI across education, communication, and even mental health support. “While AI offers great promise, it brings risks that young users aren’t always equipped to manage,” she noted, emphasising the growing gap between technological innovation and protective policy.
Joanna Benjabutr, a Student Support Officer, spoke candidly about the frontline experience of schools. At Chester Hill High, digital literacy is a daily focus. “Many families, especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, aren’t aware of the technology their children are using.”
“Schools are stepping up, but support from programs like Optus Digital Thumbprint is critical.”
Adding a youth-centred voice, Emily Ryan, an Optus Digital Thumbprint Program Facilitator, explored how the digital language of emojis, acronyms, and AI tools shapes online communication. She called on adults to stay curious and open. “To truly support young people, we need to ask, listen, and engage- because their world is changing faster than ever,” she said.
The session concluded with clear advice from Dr. Jo for educators and families:
Foster open dialogue rather than fear-based responses to technology
Teach critical thinking to help students navigate information and AI tools
Treat critical thinking not as an optional add-on, but as a core life skill.
