Staff Online Safety & How To Better Protect Teachers and School Leaders with Susan McLean
What’s happening to school staff online?
It’s a question many of us haven’t stopped to fully consider, until it happens in your staff community.
For years, we’ve invested significant time, energy and resources into student online safety, and rightly so. But in doing so, the staff experience has often been overlooked. As the digital world has evolved, so too has the nature of working in schools. The work no longer ends at the school gate. It can follow staff home, become public, and at times deeply personal, impacting not just how they work, but how safe they feel.
In this episode, I sit down with Susan McLean, one of Australia’s leading voices in cyber safety and a former police officer, to explore the growing reality of online risk for teachers and school leaders
From targeted harassment and aggressive parent communication, to being named and discussed in community forums, and the rise of AI-generated content and deep fakes, this conversation brings into clear focus a part of the job we weren’t prepared for.
We also explore where the line sits between poor behaviour and reportable or criminal activity, the short and long term impact on staff wellbeing and sense of safety, and what systems, schools and individuals can do to better protect themselves. This is a practical, honest conversation designed to help educators feel more aware, more supported and more prepared.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What school staff are facing in online spaces right now
Where the line sits between poor behaviour and reportable or criminal activity
The short and long-term impact on staff wellbeing and sense of safety
What systems need to be in place to better protect staff
What schools can do to reduce risk and respond effectively
Practical steps individuals can take to protect themselves online
And much more…
Who is Susan McLean?
Susan McLean is one of Australia’s leading experts in cyber safety. A former Victoria Police officer, Susan was the first officer appointed to a role focused on young people and online safety, and has spent decades working with schools, families and organisations to navigate the challenges of the digital world.
Susan brings a rare combination of frontline experience, legal insight and practical advice, helping schools understand not just what is happening, but what to do about it. Susan is also the author of Growing Up Digital, where she shares practical guidance for navigating the online world and supporting young people and communities within it.
Why does this conversation matter?
This is a conversation we need to be having because the reality of working in schools has changed. What once stayed within school walls can now be shared, reshaped and spread in an instant. For staff, that can mean exposure, reputational risk and a growing sense of vulnerability. And unlike many other professions, educators are deeply visible within their communities, which can make these experiences feel even more personal and harder to contain.
While many educators are used to managing complex and emotionally demanding situations, navigating public, online and often highly charged spaces is a very different challenge. It requires a new level of awareness, clarity and support, not just in how we respond, but in how we prepare.
This is not about having a thicker skin. It’s about understanding the risks, knowing where the line sits, and making sure we have the right structures, support and protections in place at a systems level, a school level and as individuals. Because when we better understand what’s happening, we are in a much stronger position to respond, support one another, and protect the people doing this important work.
You can quote us on that…
“Investigations take time. Reputational damage is instant.”
Susan McLean
“We should not be tolerating abuse that is criminal and defamatory.”
Susan McLean
“If you do not control the story, the media will control it for you.”
Susan McLean
Contact
Susan McLean Website| LinkedIn| Facebook
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Your Questions Answered:
What are the main online risks for school staff?
School staff are increasingly facing targeted online harassment, being named and discussed publicly on community pages, aggressive parent communication, and the rise of AI-generated content such as deep fakes. These online risks for teachers and school leaders are often personal, highly visible and can escalate quickly, impacting both professional reputation and staff wellbeing. As digital platforms become more embedded in school communities, the exposure for educators continues to grow.
When does online behaviour become a reportable issue?
Online behaviour becomes a reportable issue when it is targeted, threatening, defamatory or involves harmful content such as manipulated images, videos or false claims. In many cases, this crosses into cyber abuse, defamation or even criminal activity. At this point, schools and staff may need to involve legal advisors, education departments or police rather than attempting to manage the situation informally within the school.
How can teachers and schools protect themselves online?
Protecting teachers and school staff online requires a combination of strong school policies, consistent processes and individual awareness. Schools need clear, enforceable guidelines around online behaviour, communication and reporting. At an individual level, staff can protect themselves by securing social media accounts, maintaining professional boundaries, managing their digital footprint and being mindful of how their name and image are used online. Taking proactive steps can significantly reduce risk and strengthen online safety for educators.
