The NSW Swifts are proud to be taking part in Unplug24 to raise awareness about online safety, especially for the youngest and most vulnerable in society.
A News Corporation initiative, Unplug24 is a day where Australians are encouraged to voluntarily disconnect from their social media and the hope is to encourage change and make it safer for everyone to stay safe online.
To support the initiative, on Thursday 24 October (Midnight to 11.59pm) there will be no posts placed the Swifts’ official social media channels.
The date was chosen to mark the first anniversary of the death of 17-year-old Australian Mac Holdsworth who tragically took his own life after being blackmailed by someone using fake social media accounts.
Around three months after Mac's death his father, Wayne Holdsworth, decided he had a responsibility to ensure other families didn’t go through the same pain and it led to the creation of registered charity SmackTalk.
Jeremy Butler, Executive General Manager of the Swifts, explained why raising awareness was so important.
"Social media is a wonderful tool that has untold benefits when used correctly, but it can be used to bully and cause harm.
“At NSW Swifts we have a dedicated following of young girls and boys and we believe it is vital that they learn to use social media safely.
"As our elite athletes can also attest to, social media can be the best and worst of places and it’s also important to remind ourselves as adults to think about how we use this space.
"That’s why we are backing this campaign and encouraging our Members and fans to take some time out.”
GET INVOLVED
For more information on Unplug24 please CLICK HERE.
