​In today's hyper-connected world, the internet has become an integral part of education, offering countless opportunities for learning, collaboration and creativity. However, this digital landscape also presents new challenges and risks for students, including cyberbullying, misinformation, data privacy breaches and exposure to inappropriate content. As such, promoting online safety and digital resilience in schools has become a critical priority.
In response to the rising tide of online threats facing South African learners, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) and the Department of Basic Education (DBE), in collaboration with national and international partners, hosted a targeted training workshop aimed at empowering 150 Life Orientation educators and district officials. The focus: to embed online safety and digital resilience into the heart of the school curriculum.
The urgency of the initiative was highlighted by Makubetse Sekhonyane: Acting Deputy Director General who opened the workshop with data from the Kids Online study, revealing that 95% of South African children aged 9 to 17 access the internet regularly, predominantly via mobile devices. Sekhonyane warned of escalating risks including cybercrime, online grooming, cyberbullying, child exploitation, and gender-based online violence.
"Government departments must prioritize digital safety education to raise responsible online citizens," Sekhonyane urged, emphasizing Gauteng's role as a pioneer in educational technology.
The workshop was supported by a formidable coalition of partners including UNICEF, Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, Film and Publication Board, UNESCO and Google South Africa.
Siphokazi Novukaza, representing the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, provided educators with crucial knowledge on recognizing online grooming, phishing, and harmful content.
Dr. Karen Waistra from Google South Africa led a dynamic session on integrating online safety into existing curriculum frameworks. Using real-life scenarios, she demonstrated how educators could align safety topics with Approved Teaching Plans (ATPs) for Grades 8–12, making digital resilience a manageable part of everyday teaching.
Participants left the workshop with renewed purpose and practical strategies.
Pitso Mlangeni, Senior Education Specialist from Gauteng West District, noted:"The impact of social media is undeniable. We must champion responsible digital engagement among learners and push to revise the Senior Phase Life Orientation curriculum."
Ethel Silawulo, Senior Specialist from Ekurhuleni North District, admitted:"I underestimated the risks of online threats. This training has shown me how critical it is to make online safety a curriculum priority."
Vusi Masemane, Acting Director of the School Safety Directorate, closed the workshop with a call for accountability, ongoing teacher support, and curriculum integration to address evolving digital threats. "Our educators are now better prepared to not only protect learners but to guide them toward building a safe, respectful, and positive online presence," Masemane concluded. The workshop marks a significant step forward in safeguarding South African learners in the digital age. As online threats continue to evolve, so too must the systems and skills we use to address them. With educators empowered and curricula aligned, schools can become bastions of both academic excellence and online safety.