INTERNET SAFETY
Creating a safe online environment
Introduction to being safe
To be a safe user on the internet there are quite a few things you must consider. These things relate to social networking, self awarness and being cyber smart.
How to avoid being bullied
What should i do in order to avoid Bullying?
Sometimes, the best ways to fight against the bully isn't by hitting them... One of the best ways to avoid this is by not retaliating to what they say or do. This is because bullies want you to react, its what they 'feed' on. That is what makes them feel as if they have power over you. Another great way to get back at a cyber bully, is by saving/capturing what they send to you, just in case things escalate. This will provide you with evidence to support your case when seeking out for help. There are TWO major steps which reduce if not stop the bullying for good, however, they are rarely done as some children are scared or unsure if this will change anything. They are: 1. Seeking for help; If the behaviour is really getting to you, you deserve back up, talk to a trustworthy adult. 2. Protect your accounts; Do not give out your passwords to anyone, not even your closest friends. You never know who will turn and stab you in the back...
Social networking-
Do not give out personal information on social networking sites, befriend anyone who you do not know. Do not give anyone your password and/or email address. Always read a website's privacy policy before giving any personal information. When creating a screen name, do not include personal information like your last name or your date of birth. Websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, have age restrictions. These restrictions are there to protect you!
Self Awareness-
Be aware that anything you post on the internet, will always be there, even if you believe you have removed it. Understand the consequences of your actions. There are several topics which can arise if you are unaware of what you are doing and how it will impact your life. People may even steal your identity! Crazy I know! Sending nudes to your boyfriend/girlfriend or someone you trust, may become viral. You do not want this so understand what you are sending/posting, and know what the consequences of your actions will be. www.cybersmart.gov.au , is a great website which gives you information about how to deal with many things! They give you lots of valuable information on how to react and what to do. They even tell you about the risks involved with your actions...
Cyber smart-
In order to be cyber smart you must consider the above statements which were created for safety purposes. To summarise, know that whatever you post, will always be online, even if you believe you have deleted it. DO NOT give out your passwords. Do not give out personal information such as your address, number, last name etc. Do not do anything you are uncertain about. Know that if you are being bullied, telling a responsible adult who you believe will take care of things is the way to go! Don’t leave Private information on a public computer screen that information is private and should not be seen. If you don’t know the sender, it might be a pretender.
Additional Information!
Here are some great websites, which you can visit for some extra information and great tips on being cyber smart and internet safe... These sites contain great additional information, to add to your knowledge of the internet, as well as bonus topics and valuable information on where to seek for help...
Safety does not come instantly, you should implement it consistently!