Would you get fooled by the candy?
#Grooming#Sexting#Bullying#Addiction
Grooming
Define the crime
"Grooming is when a person tries to 'set up' and 'prepare' a child, by creating a relationship, with the intent of later having sexual contact or committing other crimes." (Source: Netsafe and stay smart online)
About 'sex offenders'
Someone who grooms children are often called 'sex offenders'. These sex offenders can pretend to be your age to gain your trust. "They can manipulate you and make you feel as though your relationship with them is special." (Source: Thinkuknow)
If an adult pressures younger people into doing something the child doesn't feel comfortable with, they should be reported and blocked immediately. "They can be very clever and make you feel as though you have to do something because you owe them, or because otherwise they will get you in trouble." (Source: Thinkuknow)
If an adult pressures younger people into doing something the child doesn't feel comfortable with, they should be reported and blocked immediately. "They can be very clever and make you feel as though you have to do something because you owe them, or because otherwise they will get you in trouble." (Source: Thinkuknow)
Preventing Online Grooming
- Only accept friend requests from people you know
- If speaking with someone you don't know, avoid sharing personal information i.e. your real name, age or contact details.
Sexting
Define the crime
"Sexting is the sending of sexually explicit photos, text messages or emails by using a cell phone or other mobile device." (Source: Dictionary.com)
Consequences
Sexting is a criminal activity, whether you are the distributor or client. Distributing or holding child pornography of minors can cause a person to convicted with child pornography offences. Some could be registered as a sex offender for a long period of time.
Consequences such as bullying and being labelled promiscuous are also things that can happen after people find out about your activities.
Consequences such as bullying and being labelled promiscuous are also things that can happen after people find out about your activities.
Common Signs
Things you should look out for:
- "Sudden reluctance to socialize with friends
- Disinterest or avoidance of school
- Dropping out of sports or other recreational activities
- Extreme sleeping behaviour (either more or less)
- Abnormal nail biting or hair pulling
- Abnormal changes in mood and/or behaviour" (Source: Kids Helpline)
Dangers of Sexting: What Teens Need to Know
Bullying
Define the crime
"Bullying is repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological behaviour that is harmful and involves the misuse of power by an individual or group towards one or more persons." (Source: NSW Public Schools)
What it looks like
- Receiving abusive texts and emails
- Hurtful messages,statuses, images or videos
- Impersonating others
- Ignoring or excluding others online
- Nasty online gossip and chat on social networking sites such as Facebook
(Source: Cyber(smart:) )
Why people cyberbully
Motives differ from each individual. People who bully others online are often motivated by anger, revenge or frustration. Some people bully for laughs, to get a reaction or because they are bored. (Source: Stop cyberbullying)
Coping with it
Coping with cyber bullying can be difficult but below are some point that are a guide to dealing with cyber bullying:
- Do NOT retaliate or respond
- Change privacy settings and block the bully
- Inform someone you trust
- Keep the messages or any form of the bullying for evidence
- And remember you DON'T deserve to be bullied.
If you know someone who is being bullied online
- Leave negative groups and conversations
- Let your friend know you are there for them
- Do NOT join in
- Don't send or share negative posts, images, videos etc
#DONTRETALIATE Cyberbullying Video
Addiction
Define the crime
"Addiction is the condition of being abnormally dependent on some habit." (Source: Dictionary.com)
Types
Cybersex
- Compulsive use of inappropriate and suggestive images
Cyber-Relationship
- Constant chatting on social networking, chat rooms and messages to the extent where online and virtual relationships are more important then real life relationships.
Net Compulsions
- Compulsive use of online gaming, gambling and online shopping or auctioning on sites like eBay.
Information Overload
- Constant web surfing or database searching leading to low work productivity and reduced social interaction
Computer
- Obsessive computer programming or constant gaming on off-line games such as solitaire
Effects
Internet addicts will begin to experience some of the following effects:
- Procrastination
- Decrease in social life
- Losing track of time
- Depression and/or anxiety
- Reduction in personal hygiene
- Back pains
(Source: InternetAddictionCure.com)
Breaking the addiction
Steps to help break the addiction:
- When dealing with other issues, escaping to the internet seems easiest. If you have any problems that may support the urge to always been on the internet, seek help on those things as well.
- If you're feeling unwanted feelings, don't result to the internet to get rid of those feelings. Get rid of them the natural way by doing exercise or reading a novel.
- And mainly, make the relationships you have in real life stronger than the internet relationships. Real life relationships are more of a priority.
By Emily and Catherine