❓ A parliamentary question seeks data on incidents of inappropriate online content access in WA government schools, but the Department of Education states it doesn't maintain central records of such incidents, instead providing broader data on e-breach suspensions.
AnsweredQoN 516Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to incidents at government schools involving inappropriate or indecent content accessed on school-issued devices or through school technology. This includes pornographic or sexually explicit material, extreme or graphic violence, self-harm or suicide-related material, hate speech, extremist or radicalising material, and illegal or criminal content such as drug-related material. I further refer to the Department of Education’s Students Online in Public Schools Policy and Incident Management on Department of Education Sites Policy, and I ask the Minister for Education: (a) how many such incidents have been recorded, or are known of by departmental staff, in each of the past five years; (b) what actions were taken in each case; (c) how many students were suspended or otherwise disciplined as a result; and (d) how many students were directly or indirectly affected by such incidents, for example through exposure to indecent content?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 October 2025
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Education
Response time
11 days
(a) – (d)
The Department of Education recognises that with the rise of technology, harmful practices such as accessing inappropriate content and deepfakes are emerging as a growing concern.
The Department works collaboratively across jurisdictions, including through the Education Ministers Meeting, and with the eSafety Commissioner to promote safe use of technology and social media and respond to harmful incidents.
The Department does not maintain a central record of incidents involving inappropriate or indecent content accessed specifically on school-issued devices or through school technology. Under the Student Behaviour in Public Schools policy, procedures and requirements, schools can apply a range of sanctions, from loss of good standing to suspensions and recommendation for exclusion.
The Department does collect broader data related to suspensions for E-breaches. This data was provided to the Standing Committee on Estimates and Financial Operations - 2025-26 Budget Estimates Inquiry – supplementary Information A4.
The Department of Education recognises that with the rise of technology, harmful practices such as accessing inappropriate content and deepfakes are emerging as a growing concern.
The Department works collaboratively across jurisdictions, including through the Education Ministers Meeting, and with the eSafety Commissioner to promote safe use of technology and social media and respond to harmful incidents.
The Department does not maintain a central record of incidents involving inappropriate or indecent content accessed specifically on school-issued devices or through school technology. Under the Student Behaviour in Public Schools policy, procedures and requirements, schools can apply a range of sanctions, from loss of good standing to suspensions and recommendation for exclusion.
The Department does collect broader data related to suspensions for E-breaches. This data was provided to the Standing Committee on Estimates and Financial Operations - 2025-26 Budget Estimates Inquiry – supplementary Information A4.
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