Netsafe conference

Netsafe and Australia’s eSafety Commissioner are proud to co-host another trans-Tasman online safety conference.  For the first time since 2018, the conference will return to New Zealand on 24 & 25 October 2023 (in Te Pae, Christchurch).

2023 Theme

This year’s conference is titled “Breaking Glass Ceilings and Building Bridges: a trans-Tasman conference exploring the human experience in online spaces and places”.

Now more than ever, online harm and identity are clearly linked and many online spaces feel dangerous – especially for individuals and communities who find themselves most at-risk online. At this year’s conference we will create a safe platform from which the voices we seek to protect and promote, can speak to their experiences, and inform policy, practice and legal principle development.

Speakers

Netsafe are pleased to announce Jenny May Clarkson as the MC for our 2023 conference.

jenny-may-clarkson

Jenny-May Clarkson’s journey to her current role as the host of TVNZ Breakfast is nothing short of remarkable. With a diverse background that includes being an elite athlete, police officer, sports journalist, and television host, she has proven to be a true jack of all trades. Her experience in live sports commentating has allowed her to excel in her demanding role with unparalleled confidence. As a busy mother of twin boys, she takes pride in speaking Te Reo at home, reflecting her Māori heritage. Jenny-May’s down-to-earth charm and professionalism have made her a beloved host on the MC circuit and her personable nature and professionalism make her an invaluable asset to any project she undertakes.

Programme

Bringing together leading online safety experts and practitioners from Aotearoa, Australia, and internationally, to share knowledge and insights, and to participate in discussion and debate, exploring themes including:

  • Legislative and policy responses
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Innovative education
  • Pacific collaboration

Keynotes will be announced as they are confirmed.

Tickets

Early Bird tickets will go on sale in early June. [Netsafe members get discounted tickets for our events.]

Register for regular conference updates by signing up to our monthly newsletter here.

Sponsors

Microsoft-logo

Huge thanks to Microsoft – Platinum sponsors – for supporting some of the most important conversations of our time.

As a New Zealand Not-for-Profit, Netsafe works with, and receives funding from, a number of public and private sector organisations in our mission to achieve a safe, tech-positive online experience for all people of Aotearoa.

Sponsorship of this conference is managed and received by Netsafe only and is independent of Australia’s eSafety Commissioner.

Become a sponsor of the conference, where 300 tech industry professionals, online safety experts, education advisors and government representatives from across Australia and New Zealand, will gather to hear inspiring keynote speakers and panellists.

Partnering with Netsafe means supporting a 25-year old Not-for-Profit with an unwavering commitment to online safety, and a reputation for tech-positive and innovative campaigns.

See our conference sponsorship prospectus, or contact: [email protected] to discuss options.

Our Partner

The eSafety Commissioner (eSafety) is Australia’s independent regulator for online safety.

esafety-logo-thin

eSafety fosters online safety by exercising powers under legislation, primarily the Online Safety Act 2021, and is fully funded by the Australian Government. As an independent statutory regulator, eSafety makes decisions in accordance with its statutory functions to achieve its mission of helping safeguard Australians at risk from online harms and promoting safer, more positive online experiences. Four interconnected pillars provide a framework within which eSafety’s core regulatory functions are delivered:

  • Prevention – through evidence-based research, education programs and raising awareness
  • Protection – through regulatory schemes and investigations, and offering empathetic and compassionate support
  • Proactive and systemic change – by staying ahead of technology trends, supporting industry to improve user safety standards, and strengthening our impact across borders.
  • Partnerships – to amplify our reach within Australia and around the world.

Conference history

After our successful “Confronting Online Harm Together” conference in Auckland 2016, Netsafe and Australia’s eSafety Commissioner agreed to partner together to bring the online safety industry together each year…

Our first trans-Tasman online safety conference took place in 2017 in Sydney. The “Online Safety on the Edge” trans-Tasman conference was full of highlights and included an epic gaming battle between Netsafe and Australia’s eSafety Commissioner.

The 2018 trans-Tasman Online Safety Conference was held in Auckland on 10-11 October 2018. The theme of the conference was “The Crossroads: Where online safety, education, entertainment, regulation, enforcement, technology and wellbeing intersect”. There were over 200 delegates at the conference including representatives from online content creators, education, government, law enforcement and industry.