CYBER SAFETY

1. CYBER SAFETY Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts

2. “Wht u doin 2nite?”“Nuthin... LOL :)” • CYBERBULLYING • Overview • Understanding Cyberbullying • Cyberbullying Advice • Safe Social Networking • Sexting • Positive Online Behaviour • Resources

3. DEFINITION OF CYBERBULLYING The use of Communications Technology (ICT), particularly mobile phones and the internet, to deliberately upset someone else.

4. Cyberbullying:A whole-school community issue • Today’s children and young people have grown up in a world that is very different from that of most adults. • ICT plays a big part of young people’s activities and in the development of their identities; always on and always there. • Information communication technologies support social activity that allows young people to feel connected to their peers.

5. ICT is also being used negatively. When children are the target of bullying via mobile phones or the internet, they can feel alone and very misunderstood. • They may not be able to identify that what is happening to them is a form of bullying, or be confident that the adults around them will understand it that way either. • Previously safe and enjoyable environments and activities can become threatening and a source of anxiety.

6. As mobile phone and internet use become increasingly common, so has the misuse of this technology to bully. • One study found that 22% of young people reported being the target of cyberbullying (Anti-Bullying Alliance in the UK).

7. Understanding Cyberbullying Text-based bullying occurs through: • mobile phones SMS • MSN messenger/chat rooms • social networking sites (facebook, myspace etc) • in-site chat areas • email

8. Cyberbullying Advice • Cyberbullying is not ok, tell someone you trust • Use the Cybersafety help button on the Cybersmart website • Keep passwords secret and mobile numbers private • Do not reply to nasty messages and/or block the sender if they are in your contact list • Call the Cybersafety Contact Centre on 1800 880 176 • Report the sender to the messaging or email your service provider

9. Safe Social Networking • Set sites to private • Only allow friends you know in real life to have full access to your profiles • Avoid flirty or suggestive names • Do not post flirty or suggestive photos • Do not allow strangers into your private networks

10. Sexting • Sexting is the sending of sexually explicit images via mobile phones • It is a widespread issue that has serious consequences for both the sender and the recipient Images of young children may be deemed as child pornography with legal consequences • Once photos are sent, they cannot be retrieved • It can lead to humiliation, cyberbullying or even sexual assault

11. Safety Advice for Students... • There can be serious consequences with sexting • Never post or distribute sexually explicit images of yourself • If receiving a photo, talk to a trusted adult about it • There is real potential for predatory sexual behaviour • Follow appropriate guidelines for mobile phone and internet use—school policies and/or the ACMA’s Phone Smart brochure • Everything you do leaves a digital footprint

12. Positive Online Behaviour • Positive online behaviour is the ability to develop positive, appropriate and constructive online relationships with peers, family and strangers in a variety of mediums. • This includes: • appropriate online contact and communication with others • consideration of issues such as cyberbullying, problematic usage and unethical behaviour

13. Appropriate Communication – Student Advice • Ensure that all communication is respectful • Make sure that emoticons are used when making a joke or being sarcastic • Be able to react appropriately when offensive or hurtful communication is received • Develop skills for positive communication

14. Resources • Let’s look at some resources