What’s the difference between an online safety presentation and a Cybersafety Day?
It’s a question we hear all the time.
And it’s fair.
Dedicating a whole day to cyber safety education can feel like a big ask, it takes more time, more coordination, and yes, more of the budget. A single session (bringing in an expert like a police officer to talk to the kids ) feels simpler, easier to schedule, and cheaper to run.
But here’s the real question: will a single session achieve what your school actually needs?
When it comes to building safe, informed, and confident digital citizens, a one-hour talk can only go so far. The more time your school invests, the greater the return, and the deeper the impact across your community.
Every school has to make tough timetable choices
You’re constantly balancing priorities, wellbeing, pastoral care, academics, behaviour, and community engagement. Cyber safety sits among them all, competing for time and funding.
In principle, its importance is obvious. The eSafety Commissioner’s data, the headlines about deepfakes and online harm, and growing parent pressure around social media bans all make that clear. But when you’re building next year’s plan, it often comes down to this: this program, or that one?
That’s where understanding the difference between a single presentation and a full day really matters.
What a single session offers
A one-off presentation can raise awareness quickly. It introduces students to key ideas, sparks reflection, and can be a great first step, especially if you’re trying ySafe for the first time or addressing one urgent issue.
But a single session has limits:
It reaches one group only.
There’s little time for interaction or questions.
It’s harder to tailor for different year levels.
Staff and parents often miss out.
By the next day, the moment has passed, and with it, the momentum for change.
Why do schools book full-day programs instead?
When a ySafe expert is on-site from morning to evening, your options expand dramatically.
You can weave sessions naturally into your timetable, without disruption. You can choose formats that make learning more natural, workshops, Q&As, app reviews, or even student panels. You can engage more stakeholders.
👉 A common misconception is that a “full day” means clearing the timetable. In reality, it gives schools freedom to structure sessions and activities in a way that works best for them.
|
Aspect |
Single session |
Full-day program |
|---|---|---|
|
Coverage |
One group only |
Multiple year groups, staff, and parents |
| Depth of learning |
Broad overview, foundational only |
Time for interactive activities, Q&A, workshops, app reviews, and more |
|
Flexibility |
Fixed slot in the timetable |
Can be woven into the day |
| Community involvement |
Students only (usually) |
Students, staff, leadership, and parents |
|
Delivery |
One-way presentation |
Two-way conversations, dialogue, and shared learning |
|
Tone of content |
Often risk- or fear-based |
Positive, constructive, focused on real conversations |
|
Impact |
Awareness-raising |
Consistent messaging across the whole community, stronger engagement, positive culture shift |
|
Bookings |
About 20% of schools |
Around 80% of schools choose full days, often rebooking each year |
Schools that choose full days consistently report:
More consistent messaging — everyone hears the same language and strategies.
Stronger student engagement — interactive workshops encourage reflection and dialogue.
Staff and parent alignment — everyone shares the same understanding and approach.
A positive culture shift — conversations move from fear-based to constructive and hopeful.
And there’s another outcome schools often don’t expect:
“After every ySafe day, there’s a noticeable spike in the number of students reaching out to wellbeing staff or school psychologists.” — Wellbeing Lead, Secondary College
That’s not a coincidence.
When students spend time with experts who speak their language, they’re reminded that help is available, and that what they’re experiencing online isn’t always okay. They feel safe enough to ask for support, and confident enough to talk about what’s happening before it becomes serious.
As one school told us:
“We’ve already seen an increase in reports from students approaching adults about inappropriate content online. They’ve listened, and they’ve followed through.” — Greenwood College
That’s the real value of a Cybersafety Day. It’s not a curriculum tick box. It’s an opportunity to bring the school together around an important topic, share the responsibility with parents and build trust with experts.
“Abi was engaging and relatable… The full-day program mixed reflections, activities, and information-sharing in a contemporary style students enjoyed.”
— St Francis Xavier College, Beaconsfield
“Patrick’s background as a high school educator really showed. He spoke in a way students understood and connected with. This program is a must-do in our school calendar.”
— Belmont City College
“From the first booking to the day itself, communication was clear, timely, and supportive. Everything was tailored to our needs.”
— Maroubra Junction Public School
“The team was fantastic with parents and staff. You can really see their passion for keeping kids safe online.”
— Kent Road Public School, NSW