‘Strong Choices is unique as it utilises the technology itself to combat the problems it can cause.’

The Strong Choices cyber-safety campaign was launched at Milikapiti, Melville Island on Tuesday this week, marking the start of a unique collaboration between health organisations, music companies, tel-cos, the AFP and the AFL NT as they aim to strengthen Indigenous communities by reducing the growing incidence of cyber-bullying, cyber-payback, ‘sexting’ and the distribution of inappropriate images through emerging technologies.
The campaign is a series of video clips featuring the Tiwi Islands’ hottest band, B2M, that are being distributed through Indigenous communities via a technology-driven distribution strategy using social media, chat rooms, mobile phones, advertising and Bluetooth.

“Cyber-bullying, sexual grooming, rubbish-talking and identity theft are all possible when people misuse new technologies, so it’s important people know the seriousness of their actions on-line,” says Federal Agent James Braithwaite, the Team Leader of the High-tech Crime Prevention Unit of the Australian Federal Police.

"The abuse of mobile phone technologies is a problem right across Australia but sometimes people don’t know that they may be breaking the law. The high up-take of new technologies amongst Indigenous youth makes this an issue of particular importance to them.”

The Strong Choices launch featured Tiwi children and young adults sending out the video-clip ‘virally’ to their friends across the NT (by Bluetooth, SMS, Facebook and email) in a message that is hoped will change some on-line behaviours and give a warning about some of the traps that exist in the cyber-world.

B2M, who star in the video-clip, played a great gig at the Strong Choices launch to a boisterous crowd of school-children and townspeople.  The band’s singer and community role model, Yellow, says the campaign is about teaching people to respect themselves, their countrymen and their culture when they’re on the phone or online.

“Young Tiwi people love new technologies and we get into them as soon as they’re released, but until now there hasn’t been enough thought about the harm some of our messages and posts might cause—and those messages are there forever and can’t be deleted,” Yellow says.

“I’ve seen it myself, the pain that can come from someone being bullied online and on the phone; it’s something that’s alien to our culture and our traditional way of life up here.  We do need these new technologies—we just need to learn how to use them better and safer.”

AFLNT Regional Development Managers, who are living and working in communities across the Northern Territory, will gauge the scope and impact of the ‘viral campaign’ and encourage the further dissemination of the Strong Choices message.

“This unique fusion of AFL football and music combines two of the Indigenous population’s passions into one, while delivering a key message,’ says the Tiwi Islands AFL NT Regional Development Manager, Ian Brown.  “Through this partnership we’ll be able to reach out directly to remote Indigenous communities with much more effectiveness.”   

Managing Director of Skinnyfish Music, Mark Grose, believes it’s this powerful combination of footy and music that will deliver outcomes: “Football and music in many communities are life-savers, and one of the few combinations that will engage an entire community and give a sense of purpose to young people in particular.

“Nowhere else in Australia are we using Bluetooth technology to fight social issues. The Strong Choices program is unique as it utilises the technology itself to combat the problems it can cause.  Aboriginal people in remote areas are progressively becoming more tech-savvy than people in the mainstream, as they take up new technology as fast as it is developed.”

John Paterson, CEO of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT), says the strength of Strong Choices comes from community involvement and a willingness to face up to social problems that are caused by new technology.

“A few years ago no one could have conceived of problems with cyber-payback or ‘sexting’ but now everyone—young and old—have realised that we’ve got to tackle these new issues before they get out of hand and cause more division within communities.”

Lauren Ganley, Telstra’s General Manager Indigenous Directorate, says that Telstra has been connecting Australian communities for over a hundred years.

“We know that today, more than ever, modern communications technologies are essential for social and economic participation, and having the skills to stay safe online is critical.”


Strong Choices YouTube link (Click here)

Strong Choices on the AFP homepage (Click here)

Strong Choices Launch on 7.30 NT ABC (Click here)

Contact:    
Penelope Arrow
(08) 8941 8066
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