Community
13 August, 2026
Staying safe online
MORTLAKE police officers brought online safety to the forefront last week when officers met with students at Mortlake College.
The visit was part of community policing initiatives designed to inform students on their rights, relevant laws and what measures can be taken to remain safe online.
The federal government passed world-first laws last December which age-restrict a wide variety of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and X.
Key messaging surrounding online safety for young people has remained a focal point as social media companies, which strongly opposed the ban, have done little to enforce the restrictions despite the threat of penalties.
When the visiting officers, First Constable Mitch Allen and Senior Constable Stephen Malikoff, asked Mortlake College students if they were still active on social media, almost every hand in the Graeme Good Centre was raised.
First Const Allen spoke to students about making smart choices if they were among those bypassing the restrictions, such as through the use of private accounts and not revealing their address to anyone.
He said it was important for students to know their parents, guardians, teachers and police officers would always be there to support them, no matter what they were going through.
“There’s never any issue too small,” he said.
“You can always reach out to someone who is a trusted adult – a teacher, a police officer or a parent.
“We’re all here to listen, here to help and always happy to find the best path forward to make sure younger people are safe in their online usage.
“Everyone is more than happy to help, and that goes for the officers at every police station.”
First Const Allen walked students through laws such as Brodie’s Law, Victoria’s expanded anti-bullying law which encompasses cyberbullying, and initiatives such as Dolly’s Dream, a not-for-profit created after 14-year-old Dolly Everett took her own life after an extended period of cyberbullying.
He said it was a privilege for police to be able to get out in the community and convey safety messages to ensure young people could reach their full potential.
“It’s amazing to come out here and meet with young people,” First Const Allen said.
“These are the future leaders of our community who are going to go forward and spread that message as they grow up.”
The occasion was also an opportunity for police to have an honest conversation with students about the grim realities of what can happen online.
Snr Const Malikoff said he was aware of a case in which search warrants were executed on an older man who was discovered to have had a large amount of “sick, disgusting” child exploitation material.
In analysing the files, he said it was clear much of the material had only been shared between friends or couples, only for it to make its way onto the internet and end up in the wrong hands.
Snr Const Malikoff said there was value in police meeting with students to have open discussions on the best of terms, in hopes of avoiding the worst.
“Too often when we meet young people it is in difficult circumstances that aren’t friendly, social and informative like this,” he said.
“It’s in times of stress, so this is much better.”
Mortlake College principal Linda Mooseek said it was no surprise so many students continued to use social media, and a reason why the school continues to emphasise education surrounding online safety.
“As we know, social media restrictions became law on December 10 but there would not be one child who doesn’t have access to a PlayStation or social media platforms such as TikTok – they’re all using it,” she said.
“It’s one of the tricky ones as a school.
“Quite often on a Monday, you’re dealing with things that have taken place over the weekend because it is so easy to say something on Instagram.
“You just hit send and there’s no accountability until Monday when you get to school, and then there’s plenty of accountability.”
Mrs Mooseek said it was important to reinforce safety messages while understanding not every student would adhere to the social media ban.
“It’s not going to go away – they’ve all got it almost 10 months since the ban, so for us it’s about education and making safe and sensible choices when the students are online,” she said.
“Our students are well-informed and the message our police officers have given is not different from the messages we give students on a daily basis.
“Being kids, sometimes when it’s heard from someone different it is something they can take on board.”
Mrs Mooseek offered her thanks to the Mortlake police, saying the school has built a strong relationship with officers who only want the students to be safe.
“Sargeant Nathan Hunt is doing a brilliant job,” he said.
“He comes before school, even if it’s just to shoot some hoops, and he’ll walk from the station through Tea Tree Lake because it’s a route where most of our kids walk to come to school.
“There’s a lot of casual chats so the kids know the police are here to help.
“We work hard to instil the message with our kids that the police are here to help.”
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