Swim Between the Digital Flags: A National Call We’ve Been Waiting For
Julie Inman-Grant just levelled up Australia’s Beach Safety Analogy, AND WE ARE HERE FOR IT!
This week, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant took to the stage at the National Press Club with a powerful message every parent and educator should hear: our kids need digital flags, safe zones, guidance and clear boundaries, to navigate the online world.
At Screen Sanity Australia, we couldn’t agree more…and we’re feeling especially proud. Why? Because we’ve been championing this exact metaphor for years! In fact, our team in the USA have been using the buckle up metaphor since 2018. So yes, truly…years. Most people would be annoyed when other brands share catch phrases, but in this race to help raise awareness as quickly and impactfully as possible, we were jumping up and down with our morning coffees in hand. Collaboration is crucial, and multi-sector approach a must. We feel proud, and invigorated!
Just like we teach our children to swim between the flags at the beach, where surf lifesavers are watching and support is close by, we MUST give them the same structured safety and guidance online. It’s not about fear. It’s about practical awareness, shared responsibility, more accountability by designers and creators of the platforms, and being proactive in building digital resilience from the earliest age.
Our e-Safety Commissioner’s words give national attention and serious firepower to a concept we believe should be part of every digital parenting toolkit. Whether it’s setting screen time boundaries, keeping devices out of bedrooms, or having honest conversations about online risks…these are our flags.
We’re thrilled to see this conversation brought to the national stage and we’ll keep doing everything we can to empower families with the tools, language and confidence they need to create safe digital spaces.
The tide is changing, huzzah! And we’re proud that you’re here with us, swimming in the right direction.
Watch Julie Inman Grant’s full address here.
As always, we are real humans, writing real thoughts, and we’d love to hear from you – what do you think of the water safety analogy? Drop us a line at hello@screensanity.org.au when you can.
