Why Device Bans Alone Aren’t Enough to Keep Students Safe Online

Device bans alone won’t keep students safe. With AI-powered apps and image-based abuse on the rise, schools need proactive cyber safety strategies. eSafety guidance, Linewize tools, and educator training help build safe, responsible digital communities where students can learn, explore, and thrive online.

Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, years ago issued a warning due to the rapid proliferation of ‘nudify’ apps online, infiltrating school communities across the country. These apps are increasingly appearing in school communities, exposing students to deepfake incidents and other forms of AI-generated abuse, problems that cannot be solved by simply banning devices in classrooms. 

"Creating an intimate image of someone under the age of 18 is illegal. This includes the use of AI tools. Parents and carers can help educate their children that this behaviour can lead to criminal charges."

— Julie Inman Grant, eSafety Commissioner

This highlights a new reality: schools must be prepared to address these incidents and implement clearer policies alongside more coordinated efforts around cyber safety. Restricting technology without guidance or education leaves students unprepared to navigate the complex digital spaces they use every day.

At Linewize we have long advocated that true cyber safety requires an integrated approach; one in which technology, education, and community are aligned and mutually supportive. A comprehensive solution should protect and guide every child, while actively engaging the entire school community, including staff, students, and parents.

Extending Cyber Safety Beyond School Walls

Cyber safety doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Schools and parents need a solution that extends beyond the school network, including homes, devices, and the broader community. With the challenges of online safety today extending far beyond the classroom, Linewize Connect solutions are designed to address these kinds of issues with a powerful suite and highly configurable cyber safety tools that combine cutting-edge technology, expert guidance, and deep community engagement to help keep children safe and thriving online.

Linewize Connect helps schools and families work together to monitor and manage students' device usage on any devices or networks. With a comprehensive approach, our ecosystem combines the dedicated support of our specialist School Community Engagement team and the experience of Cyber Experts. This ensures the program adapts to the unique needs of each community and creates a strong foundation that schools can use to build safe and supportive digital environments for children to thrive in their digital life.

Book a short consultation with one of our education experts to explore how your school can strengthen its approach to online safety.

Fostering Awareness, Responsibility, and Digital Confidence

Through this partnership, schools can promote healthy digital habits at school, at home, and everywhere in between, laying the foundation for safe and responsible digital citizenship by building a culture of awareness, responsibility, and resilience.

To help address this threat of AI-generated abuse, eSafety released an updated Toolkit for Schools. This practical resource helps schools implement consistent online safety policies, improve response times during incidents, and reinforce best practices across classrooms and communities.

When schools adopt a collaborative approach to online safety, it delivers measurable benefits for students, staff, and the wider school community. With consistent messaging and support, students gain the digital skills they need to navigate online spaces safely and responsibly. 

To complement your school’s cyber safety initiatives, this article by John Parsons offers practical guidance for keeping kids safe online. It’s a helpful resource for educators and families looking to strengthen healthy digital habits. Read more here. 

Equipping educators with the right tools and training, teachers and support staff become more confident and effective when cyber safety is integrated into daily school practices. This reduces reaction time during incidents and fosters a stronger sense of safety among students. 

Learn how our powerful and intuitive tools give teachers complete internet control in the classroom. 

Supporting Schools to Thrive in a Digital World

The risks students face online are constantly evolving. Social platforms, games, and mobile devices are part of their daily lives, and now, with the proliferation of AI and ‘nudify’ apps, a more strategic, long-term solution is required to address the evolving risks children face online. 

Taking the first step now can make a lasting difference in your school’s digital wellbeing. If you're ready to explore a more effective approach to cyber safety in education, we invite you to learn more about our unique Classwize solution, which supports effective teaching and learning in the modern, digital classroom. 

Fostering a culture of online safety and prioritizing cyber safety in schools requires collaboration among educators, families, and technology providers. By moving beyond reactive policies and working with experienced online safety providers, schools can create environments where students not only stay safe but also thrive in their digital lives.

Talk with one of our education experts, and explore how your school can strengthen its approach to online safety before the next challenge emerges.