Free online safety presentations
Join our free online presentations to develop your digital skills. Learn how to keep safer online and use technology with confidence.
Hosted by the eSafety Commissioner, Be Connected presentations cover a range of topics every month. All presentations are free, live streamed and delivered in an easy to understand format with our knowledgeable and friendly presenter.
Register below to book your spot.
Who should attend?
- anyone wanting to develop their digital skills and online safety knowledge
- beginners or those with intermediate abilities looking to improve their skills.
What’s on this month
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We encourage libraries, organisations and community groups to promote these presentations through their channels including websites, social media and newsletters. Our free toolkit has everything you need to get started.
If you have community facilities, also consider hosting an event to stream these presentations for members of your community.
Note: All sessions are based on Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), so if you live outside of NSW, QLD & VIC - please check the local time when booking in your state.
Presentation topics
Learn more about the presentation topics and available dates
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Managing your emails safely
Having an email address is your gateway to the online world. It allows you to keep in touch with family and friends and access online services, including online shopping and banking. Even though many of us use email every day, there may be some features and safety tips you didn’t know about. Get the most out of using email by exploring the benefits of email, how to manage spam emails, and steps to secure your account and protect yourself from scams.
Join our presentation to discover:
- the benefits of email and account features
- how to manage and avoid spam emails
- ways to keep your email account secure
- how to avoid common email scams.
Dates:
- Thursday 23 October at 11am AEDT
Protecting your personal information online
Nearly every app, social media platform or website asks you for some personal information. Personal information includes your name, email address and phone number. It’s important to always think twice about sharing personal information. Learn why protecting your personal information is so important and steps to take to protect your data.
Join our 1-hour presentation to discover:
- why information privacy matters
- how to keep your information secure
- impersonation scams to look out for
- where to go for help.
Dates:
- Tuesday 21 October at 3pm AEDT
Apps for smarter travel
Planning a trip and getting to your destination has never been easier with information and services available with a tap of your smart devices. Discover useful apps that can help you research your next holiday and improve your travel experience. In this presentation we explore apps that provide travel reviews and safety advice, ways to book accommodation and access entertainment, as well as maps, rideshare and transport apps to help you get around with ease.
Join our 1-hour presentation to discover:
- benefits of using apps
- useful apps for traveling in Australia and overseas
- transport apps that help make it easier to get around
- tips to keep safe when using apps.
Dates:
- Thursday 11 December at 3pm AEDT
Useful tips for using your Android phone
Smartphones are more than a way to stay connected with others through text and calls. They can make your life easier by providing access to important information, online services and entertainment. Get the most out of your Android phone by exploring its settings and discover more features and useful tips to help you do more with your phone.
Note: this presentation is for people with an understanding of how to use an Android phone and want to learn more about their device. If you are a beginner, we recommend you explore our learning module All about Android phones.
Join our 1-hour presentation to discover:
- Android phone features, settings and shortcuts
- ways to access, view and delete notifications
- how to change your passcode and block nuisance calls
- accessibility features and how to adjust them
- how to share photos with others.
Dates:
- Thursday 3 July at 3pm AEST
iPhone basics
iPhones not only help you stay connected with others, but they make life easier by providing access to information, online services and entertainment. Get the most out of your iPhone by exploring its features and settings, and learn how you can personalise your phone to make it easier to use.
Note: this presentation is for people with an understanding of how to use an iPhone and want to learn more about their device. If you are a beginner, we recommend you explore our learning module All about Apple iPhones.
Join our 1-hour presentation to discover:
- iPhone features, settings and shortcuts
- ways to access, view and delete notifications
- how to change your passcode and block nuisance calls
- accessibility features and how to adjust them
- how to share photos with others.
Dates:
- Tuesday 23 September at 10am AEST
Technology and your health
Technology can help you keep on top of your health, set health goals, and improve your general wellbeing. Discover how you can monitor your health and get tips and advice from a range of apps, websites, podcasts, and more.
Join our 1-hour presentation to discover:
- what you need to start monitoring your health
- health apps for your smartphone
- wearable technology
- fitness and wellbeing apps and other resources.
Dates:
- Thursday 21 August at 3pm AEST
Can you spot a scam?
Australians aged 55 and over lost more than $221 million to scammers in 2023*. It serves as a reminder that the internet is a wonderful place to explore and connect with others, but it pays to be savvy.
*Source: Scamwatch, 2023.
Join our 1-hour presentation to discover:
- common scams including the latest Tax and Medicare scams
- tips on how to spot them
- what to do and what not to do
- where to go for help.
Dates:
- Thursday 22 May at 3pm AEST
- Thursday 14 August at 3pm AEST
- Thursday 16 October at 3pm AEDT
Staying safe on Facebook
With over 2 billion daily active users, Facebook is the world’s most popular social networking site. It helps people stay connected, especially when they’re in different parts of the world. In this webinar, we will explore how when used with proper care, Facebook can be an enjoyable source of entertainment and a great way to connect with others.
Join our 1-hour presentation to discover:
- what you can do on Facebook
- how to take control of your privacy settings
- common scams on Facebook
- how advertising works on Facebook.
Dates:
- Tuesday 22 July at 11am AEST
All you need to know about data and public Wi-Fi
Whether you’re using the internet at home or on your mobile, everything you do online uses data. Knowing how and when to use your mobile data or Wi-Fi can help you stay safer online and save money.
Join our 1-hour presentation to discover:
- how to get the best value for money from your mobile data plan
- tips on managing your data allowance
- how to keep your data costs down while out and about
- how to use public Wi-Fi safely.
Dates:
- Thursday 4 December at 10am AEDT
Safer online shopping and banking
For many Australians, a connected lifestyle includes the convenience of online shopping and banking, however, privacy and security concerns can stop those who aren’t as confident online from enjoying the same experience.
Join our 1-hour presentation to discover:
- the benefits of shopping and banking online
- how to safely shop and pay for things online
- how to do every day banking safely online
- what to look out for.
Dates:
- Thursday 11 September at 10am AEST
Protect yourself against scams
A scam is a term used to describe any fraudulent business or scheme that takes personal information, money or other goods from an unsuspecting person. With the world becoming more connected through the internet, online scams have increased. It therefore pays to be cautious and follow a few simple steps.
Join our 1-hour presentation to discover:
- how to protect your personal information from scammers
- how to safely make friends online
- how to spot investment scams
- where to go for help.
Dates:
- Wednesday 25 June at 10am AEST
- Wednesday 27 August at 10am AEST
- Thursday 13 November at 3pm AEDT
Selling Safely Online
With more and more people seeing the benefits of online shopping, now is a great time to begin selling online. Before you get started learn some simple tips and tricks to help you confidently sell on the internet and, most importantly, learn how to keep yourself safe while enjoying the benefits selling online can bring.
Join our 1-hour presentation to discover:
- what to sell online
- how to get started on the top three online selling platforms
- how to open a PayPal account and accept payments
- how to keep yourself safe while selling online.
Dates:
- 2026 dates TBA
Connecting to others
Although it may be necessary for you to physically isolate yourself from other people during the coronavirus outbreak, it's vital to stay in touch with friends and family.
You can make video calls, send typed or instant messages and share photos and written updates with your friends on social media services. Being in touch with friends and family will help you to stay connected and feel less isolated.
Join our 1-hour presentation to discover:
- how to set up for video calling
- how to use Skype
- how to use WhatsApp
- how to use FaceTime.
Dates:
- Thursday 31 July at 11am AEST
- Tuesday 9 December at 3pm AEDT
Helpful apps for your smart device
Apps, or applications, are the programs you use on your smart device to get things done. Some apps are just for fun while many can help us in our daily lives. With millions of apps available to choose from they can seem confusing at first, but we’ll give you some tips to get the greatest benefit from your apps so you can use them with confidence.
Join our 1-hour presentation to discover:
- what an app is
- where to find and download an app
- which apps might be helpful and interesting to you
- tips about managing your apps.
Dates:
- Tuesday 17 June at 3pm AEST
- Tuesday 18 November at 3pm AEDT
How to use government websites
From news and weather to health warnings and essential government services, there is so much useful information available on Australian government websites. The best part is, it’s free to access! We’ll show you how using government websites can benefit you, including a step - by -step guide to setting up your own MyGov account so you can manage your online government services easily and conveniently.
Join our 1-hour presentation to discover:
- which government websites might benefit you
- how to set up a MyGov account
- how to link other government services to your MyGov account
- how to keep your personal details safe and secure.
Dates:
- Thursday 12 June at 3pm AEST
- Thursday 25 September at 3pm AEST
Safer online shopping - Festive season edition
The festive season is a busy and often stressful period for many Australians, as people spend more time and money shopping and planning for festive activities online. It’s also a busy time for scammers! To start the festive season with confidence, find out the most up-to-date holiday scams and get some tips and tricks to keep yourself safe while shopping online.
Join our 1-hour presentation to learn
- The benefits of shopping online
- How to safely shop and pay for things online
- Festive season scams to look out for
Dates:
- Tuesday 25 November at 10am AEDT