Staying Safe In The Digital World
3rd Year
10 IS THE AGE FOR CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY
Under 13?
When you are 13 or under, if anyone asks you do to a sexual act or acts in a sexual way towards you, it is against the law. If someone does sexual acts towards you, you are the victim, even if the other person if under 16, or even 13.
Harassment
If anyone is being mean to a person in a racist, sexual or ethnic way, they will be prosecuted as this is against the law.
Cyberbullying
If someone is cyberbullying you then they can be prosecuted. Just because it is on the internet, it is still illegal. If it is happening to you then ask someone for help. Your parents will be able to help but, as it is only recent, they will not understand as well as an older sibling or older person at school. Do not be afraid to tell a responsible older person if you are being cyberbullied. Keep any emails, texts or anything else you have found offensive, as proof. If you are aware that it is taking place, tell someone but do not get involved yourself.
Under 16?
According to the law you are only allowed be sexually active at 16. This applies online as well. So if something is happening that you do not feel sure about make sure you stop immediately and tell an older person you trust.
Sexting
Sexting is when you send someone an inappropriate picture of yourself. This is illegal if you are under 18, whether you are the sender or reciever. It is not a good idea as once you have sent the picture you have no control over it. The person you have sent it to can do anything with it. Even if the person you are sending it to is your boyfriend/girlfriend, if you break up with them they could do anything.
Social Networking Sites
One of the main places that cyberbullying takes place is on social networking sites. These include Facebook, Twitter and others. Below are some tips on keeping safe on these sites...
Pictures
Do not post inappropriate or revealing pictures online, as they could be accessed by anyone. If you are not comfortable showing your family, don't post it online! Also, try to avoid posting pictures of you or your friends wearing school uniform, as people will see the logo and try to track you down.
Personal Information
Be careful about what you post online. This also applies to blogs. If you want, you can say that you are going to your friend's house for a party, but don't add any more information than that, you don't want any random person turning up.
Security technologies
- PIN numbers are the codes you have that you have to enter to access things. For example, when you put your credit card into the machine, you have to enter a secret 4 digit PIN code to get any money.
- Biometric scanners are the things that are on more and more phones, computers and more as technology improves. Biometric scanning is when you place your finger on a small touch pad and, upon sensing whether or not it is the right print, the device will unlock
- Encryption is when people put messages in codes to stop people such as hackers being able to read it. It is sometimes known as coding as well.