As Australia gears up for Bullying No Way Week from August 17 to 21, the focus on keeping kids safe has never been more critical. This year’s theme, “Small Acts, Big Impact,” is a timely reminder that even minor actions can spark meaningful change in our schools and communities. But while the internet continues to offer incredible opportunities for connection and learning, it also harbours a persistent challenge: cyberbullying.
Newly released data from Optus’ Digital Thumbprint Program has shed light on exactly what Australian students are facing in the digital space. After surveying more than 5,000 students across metro and regional areas between July 2023 and June 2026, the findings point to a clear direction for where our national fight against online harassment needs to go next.
The Real Problem Isn’t Just the Technology
When we think of cyberbullying, it is easy to blame the apps, the platforms, or the algorithms. However, the research reveals that the number one struggle facing Australian kids is sheer confusion. A staggering 40 per cent of students say they simply do not understand why they are being targeted online.
Remarkably, this has been the top challenge reported by cyberbullied students for three consecutive years. It highlights a massive gap in how we educate young people about online behaviour. Telling a teenager to block a troll or turn off their screen is standard advice, but it does little to help them process the baffling, isolating reality of being singled out for seemingly no reason.
A Generation Feeling Powerless
Beyond the initial confusion, students are dealing with a severe lack of practical tools and emotional support. A third of the surveyed students (35 per cent) cited not knowing how to protect themselves online as a major issue. Furthermore, close to one in three (31 per cent) admit they feel completely powerless to stop the harassment once it begins.
The fallout isn’t just digital; the emotional toll is significant. Roughly one in four students (27 per cent) said that coping with the mental stress of cyberbullying is their most significant challenge. This data proves that what happens in a private chat or the comment section of a video has very real, damaging consequences in the real world.
The Rise of AI and Deepfakes
Just as parents and teachers start getting a handle on social media, a new threat is emerging. The Optus data highlights a growing concern around deepfakes and chatbots. This specific issue wasn’t even measured as a category in the 2023-2024 survey, but it quickly grew to 16 per cent in 2024-2025 and has now ticked up to 17 per cent for 2025-2026.
While it might seem like a small percentage right now, it is an early warning sign. As artificial intelligence becomes mainstream and highly accessible, deepfakes will increasingly become an area that schools and families must learn to manage.
Shifting Gears on Digital Safety
So, what is the solution? Awareness, education, and empowering students with the right tools. Sometimes, that message is best delivered by someone outside the standard classroom environment.
To mark Bullying No Way Week, Supercars champion and Optus Ambassador Chaz Mostert is trading the racetrack for the virtual classroom. As part of the Optus Digital Thumbprint Program, Mostert will host a free digital safety workshop for primary school kids across the country. Using a high-profile figure who knows a thing or two about high-pressure environments is a clever way to engage students on an uncomfortable topic.
For parents and caregivers, the takeaway from this research is straightforward: the conversation needs an update. We have to move past basic screen time limits and start teaching digital resilience. Whether it is helping kids understand the realities of AI-generated content or giving them practical ways to reclaim their power online, the focus must shift to empowerment. By listening to what students are actually telling us, we can help build a digital space where they feel safe and supported.
