cyber-safety

Cyber safety, children and young people

The following information and resources provide advice on safer social networking, keeping cyber smart, preventing cyberbullying and using the internet safely.

If you know of other website resources on cyber safety please e-mail the Office of Children and Youth Affairs at ocya@dpac.tas.gov.au

Cybersmart

Cybersmart is coordinated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and provides activities, resources and practical advice to help young children, kids, teens and parents safely enjoy the online world. Cybersmart also offers training and resources for schools and materials for library staff.

Cybersmart detectives is an innovative online game that teaches children key internet safety messages in a safe environment.

Department of Education (DoE) Tasmania

This site presents information for school communities about the criminal offence of cyber bullying. Students should be informed that if they use technology in an inappropriate fashion then they could be committing a crime.

DoE has developed a web safety in schools policy to ensure that Tasmanian students participate safely in technology based learning, and use technology responsibly.

DoE also encourages the development of cybersafe classrooms.  These are classrooms '...where every effort is made to protect students from risks associated with online environemtns such as cyber bulling and cyber crime. Students are taught about online risks, protection and prevention strategies.

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD), Victoria

DEECD has an Anti-Bullying Policy through the strategy 'Safe Schools are Effective Schools' which highlights that every student has the right to feel safe from bullying at school. All Victorian government schools must develop and implement a Student Code of Conduct. The Student Code of Conduct must now be updated to include cyberbullying.

Digital Bridge Unit (Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology), South Australia

The Digital Bridge Unit assists in reducing the socially and economically divisive nature of technologies through encouraging the use of technology within disadvantaged groups by improvement of physical access (connectivity, increased skill levels (capability) and providing more applications linked to service needs (content). They have published the following two documents, Safer Social Networking and Cyber Safety Tips

Generation Next

Generation Next offers seminars and blogs for parents on the issue of cyber bullying, and the exchange of inappropriate images. Exchange of inappropriate images is emerging as the number one issue confronting the safety and wellbeing of young people and the wider community.

GetNetWise

GetNetWise provides information for kids, teens and families on internet safety.

Internet Solutions for Kids Inc.

Internet Solutions for kids hosts research and important resources about cyberbullying and online harassment

MySpace Australia

MySpacehas launched a new cyberbullying prevention site. MySpace has zero tolerance for hate-speech and harassment and it partners with users to stop it from happening.

NetSmartz workshop

NetzSmartz workshop is a site developed in the United States that offers a range of resources and information for kids, parents and educators about cyber bullying and cyber safety.

NS Teens

NS Teens is an American internet safety program aimed at teenagers. The site includes video and comics on topics such as cyberbullying and text messages.

The Office for Youth Western Australia

OY provides definitions of language and links to websites that parents can log onto with their children to learn more about safe internet practices.

Reachout

Reachout targets young people on the topic of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a form of bullying which is carried out through an internet service such as email, chat room, discussion group, online social networking, instant messaging or web pages. It can also include bullying through mobile phone technologies such as SMS.

Think Before You Upload

Think before you upload is produced by the office of the Victorian Privacy Commissioner and aims to educate young people about being smart online. Young Media Australia provides up-to-date information about media and children for parents and care givers, professionals, students and researchers. It includes information about the use of and abuse of mobile phones.

The Youth Advisory Group on Cyber-Safety is part of the Australian Government’s Department of Broadband and the Digital Economy cyber–safety plan which encompasses cyber–safety education, international co–operation, research, law enforcement and filtering measures.  

CyberSafety and Teens

CyberSafety and Teens: What are some of the inherent problems that exist with this new technology, and how do the developmental issues kids are grappling with impact and exacerbate these issues?

private i

private i is produced by the Australian Government’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner. It informs young people about some of the privacy issues that they may face, some of the pitfalls to avoid, and who to turn to for help if privacy has been affected online.

Report to the Minister for Youth on Cyberbullying, 2008, Youth Advisory Council New South Wales,

The report to the Minister for Youth on Cyberbullying 2008 outlines strategies to build awareness of cyberbullying and its effects on young people.

Young People and Technology: A review of the current literature (2nd edition), 2009, prepared by Professor Helen McGrath for The Alannah and Madeline Foundation The Young People and Techology: A review of the current literature

This review offers a comprehensive overview of literature that looks into the potential and challengesof new technologies for young people.