Cybersafety |
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The internet is easy, convenient and fun. But all that convenience can be risky, and some of the risks can have serious and lasting outcomes.
Cybersafety addresses the ability to act in a safe and responsible manner on the Internet and other connected environments. These behaviours protect personal information and reputation and include safe practices to minimise danger online.
Protecting your personal information and digital reputation
Only give your mobile phone number and email address to people you can trust. Think about the information you have in your online profiles – if it includes your home address, your mobile number and a photo of you, it makes you very easy to find.
And when it comes to things like bank details or credit card numbers, you should make double-sure that you don't give that information out without thinking about the possible negative consequences first.
Cybersafety addresses the ability to act in a safe and responsible manner on the Internet and other connected environments. These behaviours protect personal information and reputation and include safe practices to minimise danger online.
Protecting your personal information and digital reputation
Only give your mobile phone number and email address to people you can trust. Think about the information you have in your online profiles – if it includes your home address, your mobile number and a photo of you, it makes you very easy to find.
And when it comes to things like bank details or credit card numbers, you should make double-sure that you don't give that information out without thinking about the possible negative consequences first.
Keep Your Passwords To Yourself
Never share your password – ever. Make sure your password is at least eight characters long, a mix of letters and numbers and not the name of your favourite band, pet or football team.
Photos
Think twice before sending or posting a photo. A private joke can become a public embarrassment in one click. Once it’s out there you can’t take it back and it can travel a long way very quickly.
Social Media
Ensure to check your privacy settings in social media
Chatting To Strangers
Just like real life - don't talk to strangers. People online can pretend to be someone else so take care. If you have unwanted contact or if someone asks to meet with you - log off immediately and tell and adult that you trust or contact kidshelpline on 1800 55 1800. You can also call Australian Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and report it to the police. (For Australia only)
Moderate Comments
If you’ve got a blog, make sure you moderate comments. You might consider publishing a blog comment policy, so people know what’s okay to discuss and why you have deleted their comments.
Arguments
If an online argument is turning into a flame war, let it go. Step away, take a few deep breaths and remember what you are posting is probably not something you’ll be proud of tomorrow.
Is It Time To Act?
No matter how prepared you are, sometimes, bad things happen to careful people. If any of these things have happened, it might be time to take a stand:
What To Do
If you find yourself on the wrong end of some suspect, nasty, or even illegal, online activity, there are steps you can take to start sorting out your digital issues.
Let Someone Know
Tell someone you trust or contact a support service such as Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) or Cybersmart or call Australian Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and report it to the police. (For Australia only).
Don’t retaliate or reply - this can lead to a flame war and only encourages the other person.
Change Your Password
If you think someone has been accessing your email or social media accounts, change your password and see if things settle down. Make sure your new password is at least eight characters long, a mix of letters and numbers and not the name of your favourite food, pet or football team.
Block Or Report
If the bullying is happening via social media, you can use your account settings to block the accounts being used to bully you. If this doesn't stop the bullying, you can report the bullying to your Internet Service Provider or mobile phone provider to ask for more advice.
If you are receiving threatening messages and feel in danger, you should call:
Australian Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and report it to the police. (For Australia only)
Save The Evidence
Learn how to keep records of offending online conversations, messages and images. To do this you can print out emails and web pages, or take screen captures.
See also Cyberbullying
Never share your password – ever. Make sure your password is at least eight characters long, a mix of letters and numbers and not the name of your favourite band, pet or football team.
Photos
Think twice before sending or posting a photo. A private joke can become a public embarrassment in one click. Once it’s out there you can’t take it back and it can travel a long way very quickly.
Social Media
Ensure to check your privacy settings in social media
Chatting To Strangers
Just like real life - don't talk to strangers. People online can pretend to be someone else so take care. If you have unwanted contact or if someone asks to meet with you - log off immediately and tell and adult that you trust or contact kidshelpline on 1800 55 1800. You can also call Australian Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and report it to the police. (For Australia only)
Moderate Comments
If you’ve got a blog, make sure you moderate comments. You might consider publishing a blog comment policy, so people know what’s okay to discuss and why you have deleted their comments.
Arguments
If an online argument is turning into a flame war, let it go. Step away, take a few deep breaths and remember what you are posting is probably not something you’ll be proud of tomorrow.
Is It Time To Act?
No matter how prepared you are, sometimes, bad things happen to careful people. If any of these things have happened, it might be time to take a stand:
- Having a friend pass on a private online conversation to someone else without your permission
- Being harassed via messages, Facebook, Twitter, email or in-game chat
- Being tricked into giving out a secret online
- Having an embarrassing picture of you posted or sent around online
- Being signed up to receive unwanted e-mails, like pornography, by someone else
- Having someone break into your account or steal your password
- Finding out that the person you're e-mailing, texting or messaging isn't the person you thought they were
- Having someone pretend to be you online
- Being entered in an online poll or contest without your knowledge
- Having someone post nasty comments on your guestbook, blog, or on a discussion board
What To Do
If you find yourself on the wrong end of some suspect, nasty, or even illegal, online activity, there are steps you can take to start sorting out your digital issues.
Let Someone Know
Tell someone you trust or contact a support service such as Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) or Cybersmart or call Australian Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and report it to the police. (For Australia only).
Don’t retaliate or reply - this can lead to a flame war and only encourages the other person.
Change Your Password
If you think someone has been accessing your email or social media accounts, change your password and see if things settle down. Make sure your new password is at least eight characters long, a mix of letters and numbers and not the name of your favourite food, pet or football team.
Block Or Report
If the bullying is happening via social media, you can use your account settings to block the accounts being used to bully you. If this doesn't stop the bullying, you can report the bullying to your Internet Service Provider or mobile phone provider to ask for more advice.
If you are receiving threatening messages and feel in danger, you should call:
Australian Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and report it to the police. (For Australia only)
Save The Evidence
Learn how to keep records of offending online conversations, messages and images. To do this you can print out emails and web pages, or take screen captures.
See also Cyberbullying
Be Cybersmart - Check out these helpful links:
Cyberbullying Digital Footprint
Digital Reputation Mobile Phones
Netiquette Offensive Content
Offensive and Illegal Content Online Games
Sexting Social Networking and Online Friends
Staying Legal Trolling
Need to know how to adjust your Facebook security settings? Click here
Cyberbullying Digital Footprint
Digital Reputation Mobile Phones
Netiquette Offensive Content
Offensive and Illegal Content Online Games
Sexting Social Networking and Online Friends
Staying Legal Trolling
Need to know how to adjust your Facebook security settings? Click here
Tips for Parents
A Parent's Guide to YouTube Safety Settings
A Parent's Guide to Kik Messenger
A Parent's Guide to Instagram
8 Things You and Your Teen Need to Know About Sexting
Tips, advice, guides and resources to help keep your child safe online
Your guide to the social networks your kids use
Family Media Plan
A Parent's Guide to YouTube Safety Settings
A Parent's Guide to Kik Messenger
A Parent's Guide to Instagram
8 Things You and Your Teen Need to Know About Sexting
Tips, advice, guides and resources to help keep your child safe online
Your guide to the social networks your kids use
Family Media Plan
Warning: Instagram shares your personal information
and can sell your images
A UK lawyer has rewritten Instagram’s terms of service in child-friendly language and it highlights some real concerns regarding your privacy and rights.
This easy-to-understand version is is most welcome for not only children but also adults as Instagram's terms of service are 17 pages long! Most of us do not bother to read them.
We ask: Is that wise?
The terms of service begins with the usual rules about using the app safely and responsibly. It becomes quite concerning, however, once Instagram begins to spell out their rights (and your lack of thereof) to all that you post on Instagram. Instagram can also share your private information which is most alarming. It is important that people understand the rights they are giving up when they agree to these terms when starting an online account.
See some of the worrying Instagram terms are written in child-friendly language below.:
– […] we may keep, use and share your personal information with companies connected with Instagram. This information includes your name, email address, school, where you live, pictures, phone number, your likes and dislikes, where you go, who your friends are, how often you use Instagram, and any other personal information we find such as your birthday or who you are chatting with, including in private messages (DMs).
– Officially you own any original pictures and videos you post, but we are allowed to use them, and we can let others use them as well, anywhere around the world. Other people might pay us to use them and we will not pay you for that
– We might send you adverts connected to your interests which we are monitoring. You cannot stop us doing this and it will not always be obvious that it is an advert.
– We can, but do not have to, remove, edit, block and/or monitor anything posted or any accounts that we think breaks any of these rules. We are not responsible if somebody breaks the law or breaks these rules; but if you break them, you are responsible.
(Afia 2016 ; Anderson 2017)
Caveat emptor - or, rather, let the online user be aware
and can sell your images
A UK lawyer has rewritten Instagram’s terms of service in child-friendly language and it highlights some real concerns regarding your privacy and rights.
This easy-to-understand version is is most welcome for not only children but also adults as Instagram's terms of service are 17 pages long! Most of us do not bother to read them.
We ask: Is that wise?
The terms of service begins with the usual rules about using the app safely and responsibly. It becomes quite concerning, however, once Instagram begins to spell out their rights (and your lack of thereof) to all that you post on Instagram. Instagram can also share your private information which is most alarming. It is important that people understand the rights they are giving up when they agree to these terms when starting an online account.
See some of the worrying Instagram terms are written in child-friendly language below.:
– […] we may keep, use and share your personal information with companies connected with Instagram. This information includes your name, email address, school, where you live, pictures, phone number, your likes and dislikes, where you go, who your friends are, how often you use Instagram, and any other personal information we find such as your birthday or who you are chatting with, including in private messages (DMs).
– Officially you own any original pictures and videos you post, but we are allowed to use them, and we can let others use them as well, anywhere around the world. Other people might pay us to use them and we will not pay you for that
– We might send you adverts connected to your interests which we are monitoring. You cannot stop us doing this and it will not always be obvious that it is an advert.
– We can, but do not have to, remove, edit, block and/or monitor anything posted or any accounts that we think breaks any of these rules. We are not responsible if somebody breaks the law or breaks these rules; but if you break them, you are responsible.
(Afia 2016 ; Anderson 2017)
Caveat emptor - or, rather, let the online user be aware
Instagram - adjusting your privacy settings
Share on Facebook and Twitter
References and further reading
Afia, J. (2016). Instagram Terms: Our Rules if you want to use Instagram. Shillings, U.K. in Growing Up Digital: A report of the Growing Up Digital Task Force. Page 10. Retrieved from
http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Growing%20Up%20Digital%20Taskforce%20Report%20January%202017_0.pdf
Anderson, J. (2017). A lawyer rewrote Instagram’s privacy policy so kids and parents can have a meaningful talk about privacy. Quartz. Retrieved from https://qz.com/878790/a-lawyer-rewrote-instagrams-terms-of-service-for-kids-now-you-can-understand-all-of-the-private-data-you-and-your-teen-are-giving-up-to-social-media/
Carrollton Police. (2008). Internet Danger- Everyone Knows Sarah. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThxmgXMBpoM
Children's Commissioner For England. (2017). Growing Up Digital: A report of the Growing Up Digital Task Force. Retrieved from http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Growing%20Up%20Digital%20Taskforce%20Report%20January%202016.pdf
Cybersafety.org.nz. (2009). What is cybersafety?. Retrieved from: http://www.cybersafety.org.nz/kit/welcome/cybersafety.html
DEC. (2014). School A to Z: Kik Messenger. Schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved from http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/technology/technology-az/-/technology_glossary/7w0F/5353/Kik+messenger
Dreamstime. (2017). Computer keyboard with Safety First [image]. Dreamstime.com. Retrieved from https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-image-computer-keyboard-safety-first-concept-word-selected-focus-enter-button-d-render-image38487746
Ikeepsafe.org. (2014). Cyber-Safety. Ikeepsafe.org. Retrieved from: http://www.ikeepsafe.org/educators_old/more/c3-matrix/cyber-safety/
M.D. Azerul. (2013). Simple internet security for kids. YouTube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnkzH5Xkasg
Youth Services Victoria. (2014). Cyber Safety. Youth Central. Retrieved from: http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/web-social-safety/cyber-safety
References and further reading
Afia, J. (2016). Instagram Terms: Our Rules if you want to use Instagram. Shillings, U.K. in Growing Up Digital: A report of the Growing Up Digital Task Force. Page 10. Retrieved from
http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Growing%20Up%20Digital%20Taskforce%20Report%20January%202017_0.pdf
Anderson, J. (2017). A lawyer rewrote Instagram’s privacy policy so kids and parents can have a meaningful talk about privacy. Quartz. Retrieved from https://qz.com/878790/a-lawyer-rewrote-instagrams-terms-of-service-for-kids-now-you-can-understand-all-of-the-private-data-you-and-your-teen-are-giving-up-to-social-media/
Carrollton Police. (2008). Internet Danger- Everyone Knows Sarah. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThxmgXMBpoM
Children's Commissioner For England. (2017). Growing Up Digital: A report of the Growing Up Digital Task Force. Retrieved from http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Growing%20Up%20Digital%20Taskforce%20Report%20January%202016.pdf
Cybersafety.org.nz. (2009). What is cybersafety?. Retrieved from: http://www.cybersafety.org.nz/kit/welcome/cybersafety.html
DEC. (2014). School A to Z: Kik Messenger. Schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved from http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/technology/technology-az/-/technology_glossary/7w0F/5353/Kik+messenger
Dreamstime. (2017). Computer keyboard with Safety First [image]. Dreamstime.com. Retrieved from https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-image-computer-keyboard-safety-first-concept-word-selected-focus-enter-button-d-render-image38487746
Ikeepsafe.org. (2014). Cyber-Safety. Ikeepsafe.org. Retrieved from: http://www.ikeepsafe.org/educators_old/more/c3-matrix/cyber-safety/
M.D. Azerul. (2013). Simple internet security for kids. YouTube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnkzH5Xkasg
Youth Services Victoria. (2014). Cyber Safety. Youth Central. Retrieved from: http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/web-social-safety/cyber-safety
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