Family-School & Community Partnerships » This Digital Life

Cyber-Safety: Keeping Children Safe in a Connected World

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:33:00 +0000

Opportunities for young people and adults to learn and engage with each other have exploded in recent times with the proliferation of computer networks, mobile devices, broadband connections to the Internet and virtual communities. With such exciting opportunities comes the need to ensure that leaders, educators, children and parents consider the implications for safe use of information and communication technologies (ICTs).

Learning is a social activity. It happens when people interact with other people and their ideas, knowledge and perspectives.

ICTs provide children and students with new and engaging ways to learn. ICTs expand social and knowledge networks so that children and students access current information, interact with experts and participate in peer teaching and learning.

Using ICTs they can publish their learning, as evidence of achievement or to invite feedback for improvement.

It is important to both protect and teach children, students and adults, while they learn to use ICTs and become responsible digital citizens. This includes adults thinking ahead of new risks and children and students learn how to avoid exposure to inappropriate material or activities, and protecting themselves when they are online.

They need to learn how to use ICTs, including mobile technologies and social networking sites, in responsible and ethical ways. In addition, they need to feel confident about alerting the adults in their lives when they are feeling unsafe, threatened, bullied or exposed to inappropriate events.

In response, these adults need to take appropriate actions to protect the child or young person.

A parent’s guide to internet safety

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:32:50 +0000

This guide provides parents and carers with advice, information and the tools to keep children safe when using the internet, as well as empowering children who use the internet. It considers what children are doing on the internet according to their age, the dangers associated with using the internet and the strategies parents and carers can use to minimise risks.

What is the Internet?

The internet is a global network of linked computers that are able to communicate through telephone lines, cables and satellites. Connecting to the internet enables you to transmit and share information in the form of text, pictures, movies and sound.

What are my children doing on the internet?

Many parents feel that their children know more than they do about using the internet. The following sections explore the kinds of things your child may be accessing on the internet.

What are children aged 2-7 years doing online?

Preschoolers are old enough to begin to explore the internet and to learn about the computer. Children from about five years may start to visit children’s websites with you and enjoy email correspondence with family and friends.

The guide is published by NetAlert, the Australian Government’s online safety program, set up to protect Australian families online. NetAlert is part of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Read more: http://www.netalert.gov.au/

Cyber Bullying

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:32:09 +0000

Bullying by school-age children is evolving from face-to-face taunting into remote electronic taunting. Cyber bullying via e-mail, text messages, and Web sites is affecting children across the world in the time it takes to hit “send”.

Bullying has been found to begin as early as preschool, and appears to peak in sixth through eighth grades. Thirty percent of sixth- through tenth-graders in public and private schools throughout the United States reported being bullies (13%), victims (11%) or both bullies and victims (6%).

Research has demonstrated that cyber bullying is devastating for both aggressors and victims, but teachers and parents are only just beginning to understand its dangers.

British researchers found that although nearly 75% of teachers worried that students might become victims of cell-phone text-message bullying, only 56% of the students’ parents showed concern that their children might be susceptible to this form of cyber bullying.

The Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use reported that cyber bullying affects students around the world. Australian and American children stay home from school because they feel threatened, and Scandinavian children are fearful of using their school locker rooms.

Cyber bullying is particularly dangerous for students who are susceptible to depression and anxiety.

Cyber Safety Solutions

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:31:29 +0000

Susan McLean is Australia’s foremost expert in the area of cyber safety and young people and was a member of Victoria Police for 27 years. Widely known as the ‘Cyber Cop’ she was the first Victoria Police Officer appointed to a position involving Cybersafety and young people.

As the mother of 3 children aged 21yrs, 19yrs and 15yrs, she is acutely aware of the issue from both a parental, school and legal perspective. She has also been awarded The National Medal and the Victoria Police Service Medal and 2nd Clasp, as well as several commendations for exceptional performance, initiative, dedication and professionalism.

Susan’s presentations, tailored for each individual audience are vibrant, entertaining and relevant. Real world examples drawn from her vast experience as a Police Officer dealing with misuses of technology on a daily basis, add a particular relevance to each presentations.

Keeping your child safe in cyberspace
An informative and educational session for parents & carers of children and adolescents: http://www.cybersafetysolutions.com.au/training-child-safe.shtml

Growing up online
What all kids need to know about cyberspace but what technology fails to teach them: http://www.cybersafetysolutions.com.au/training-student-presentation.shtml

Navigating Cyberia
Addressing the issue of Cybersafety & young people for Principals, teachers and other professionals who work with youth: http://www.cybersafetysolutions.com.au/training-teacher.shtml

What’s the Government Doing About Cyber Safety?

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:23:13 +0000

National Pilot to increase Cyber-Safety in Schools

The Australian Government is concerned at the emergence of cyber-bullying in our schools and the impact it has on students.

The National Pilot to increase Cyber-Safety in Schools is being conducted by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation (AMF). It involves 164 government and non-government schools in urban, rural and remote regions.

It will help confront safety issues in e-communications, including cyber-bullying and examine the effectiveness of existing cyber-safety programs in schools.

Schools will be provided with web resources to help them create an approach to cyber-safety that meets their specific needs. The project will also help clarify the role that schools play in ensuring responsible and safe use of technology.

The pilot aims to:

Make cyber-safety an integral part of student wellbeing practices in schools;
Improve the curriculum in relation to cyber-safety;
Increase the skill and confidence of teachers to confront cyber-safety issues; and
Help schools work with parents and the community to keep children safe.

The development of content for the initiative has been informed by extensive research and by a number of cyber-safety experts from across Australia.

Read more, including details of schools participating in the pilot: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/DigitalEducationRevolution/Pages/AMFoundation.aspx

The Alannah and Madeline Foundation was set up in the name of two young girls who were killed in 1996 at Port Arthur in Tasmania, as a national charity with the belief that all children should have a safe and happy childhood without being subjected to any form of violence.

The pilot’s outcomes will be independently evaluated and used to inform the Government’s review of the National Safe Schools Framework (NSSF), due to finish in June 2010.

This coincides with the announcement that in the next sitting week, the Rudd Government will seek to establish its Joint Parliamentary Standing Committee on Cyber Safety.

This Committee will further support the Government’s work to make the internet a safer place for young people to socialise, research and engage with broader society online.

Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety

The Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety was established under a resolution of appointment passed by the House of Representatives on 25 February 2010. The Senate concurred with the resolution of appointment, with an amendment, on 11 March 2010, which was agreed to by the House of Representatives on 15 March 2010.

On 13 May 2010 the Senate agreed to a resolution referring an additional term of reference, relating to the merit of establishing an Online Ombudsman, to the Committee for its inquiry.

The Committee resolved to commence its inquiry by focusing on selected topics from its terms of reference. The Committee accepted submissions on all its terms of reference, but will initially focus on these issues. The Committee invited interested persons and organisations to lodge submissions by Friday, 25 June 2010.

Terms of reference: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jscc/tor.htm

Committee Members: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jscc/members.htm

Submissions: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jscc/subs.htm

Public hearings: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jscc/hearings.htm

Cybersmart

The Cybersmart program is a national cybersafety education program managed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to promoting online safety for children and young people.

The world online is powerful and engaging for young people and adults alike, offering a wealth of opportunity. The Cybersmart program enables children, parents, carers, teachers and library staff to manage online risks, so their experiences are safe and positive.

The Cybersmart program aims to:

Inform children, parents, teachers and library staff about cybersafety issues
Educate audiences through information, resources and practical advice
Empower children to be safe online.

The Cybersmart program includes:

A comprehensive range of information and resources designed to meet the needs of children, parents, teachers, and library staff. All resources are provided free of charge in Australia.
Cybersafety Outreach Professional Development for Educators program for schools and Internet Safety Awareness Presentations for parents and children.
A professional development program for trainee teachers.
Funding for Kids Helpline to provide an online helpline service to young people who have experienced issues online.
The Cybersafety Contact Centre—a national telephone centre providing online safety information, advice and access to resources for all Australians.

The ACMA’s Cybersmart website is home to all its cybersafety resources, research and activities.

Young kids: http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Young%20Kids.aspx
Kids: http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Kids.aspx
Teens: http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Teens.aspx
Parents: http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Parents.aspx
Schools: http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Schools.aspx

Cyber Safe Parenting

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:13:27 +0000

Research has shown that cyber bullying usually begins on home computers and on private cell phones. Students bring their resulting fear, embarrassment, anger, and aggression to school. Thus, students, families, schools, and the surrounding communities are affected. All of these entities must be considered and included when working to address the problems of bullies, victims, and bystanders.

Because cyber bullying often begins on family computers and students’ personal cell phones, parents must be vigilant with their monitoring efforts. Parental vigilance is paramount, because inappropriate text messages, e-mails, and postings on Web sites and in chat rooms usually do not occur on school property. Parents and teachers must talk with students about the dangers of cyber bullying, and take action immediately if it occurs.

Positive parenting can preempt cyber bullying. Ybarra and Mitchell (2004) emphasized the importance of parent-child relationships in their discussion of findings from the Youth Internet Safety Survey. “Indeed, general monitoring and positive caregiver-child relationships may be more important factors in Internet safety[,] as global parental monitoring is significantly related to a decrease in the likelihood of being an online aggressor”.

Jeff Chu, in his 2005 Time article, offered the following guidelines for parents.

Learn — Know how to use the Internet yourself.
Be aware — Know if your child has a Xanga (online diary or journal) [or blog, MySpace, or other personal site], visits chat rooms, or uses instant messaging.
Talk — Keep the lines of communication open with your children so they feel comfortable telling you about any threatening or upsetting online situations.
Teach — Be sure your child knows how to be courteous online. Rudeness is not acceptable, online or offline.
Trust — Inform your children that you will be checking their e-mail, if you feel that this is important. Do not “snoop” without their permission.

Teaching appropriate and responsible Internet use is part of good parenting. Parents who use a democratic approach are informed, fair, and consistent, and communicate openly with their children. They apply these same qualities to expectations regarding Internet use.

Internet Filtering

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:10:59 +0000

ISP Filtering

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Senator Stephen Conroy has proposed legislation that will require Australian Internet Service Providers to prevent access to websites that have been refused classification under Australia’s censorship laws.

While this is a commendable aim, technologists advise that it will do little to address cyber safety concerns. Web filtering at the user level is still deemed indispensable, in the same way that parents must make judgements about the films, TV shows, video games and publications to which their children have access.

Compare internet content filters

The Australian Government undertook a detailed assessment process to provide Australian households with access to the best available filters through the National Filter Scheme.

All internet content filters previously available through the scheme were required to:

Block internet content determined to be prohibited by the Australian Communications and Media Authority
Be easy to install and use
Have technical support provided by the filter software supplier by:
- Phone on 1800 880 176 (8am-10pm in your local time zone, for callers in Australia only. Free call for landline calls, usual charges
  apply to mobiles and payphones.)
- Email anytime to be responded to within 24 hours
- Questions & Answers on the suppliers website

Selecting a filter

In conjunction with parental supervision and household rules for internet use, filter software can be an effective tool for managing children’s access to the internet. There are a number of products available. Some are better than others at blocking particular types of content. The following information is provided as a guide to assist internet users in selecting a filter that meets their specific needs.

Filter types Different filters work in different ways. Some allow the user to access only a selected number of sites (‘whitelist’).
Some prevent the user from accessing certain sites (‘blacklist’). Others analyse content as it is being accessed by the user. A number of
products offer a combination of these features.
Whitelist filters are the most effective in blocking access to offensive and harmful material, but they also block a lot of material
that may be innocuous. Such filters are likely to be appropriate for younger (primary school age) children, where protection from unsuitable
material may be more important than having access to a wider range of content.
Blacklist filters provide access to a wider range of content, but may still allow access to some unsuitable material. Such
filters are likely to suit families with older children, where having access to a wide range of content is an important consideration.
Multiple users Some products include the option of allowing different levels of filtering for different users. This may be useful
where there are children of different ages in the family.
Monitoring filters that keep a record of visited sites can be useful for monitoring children’s access to the internet to see what
sites they are visiting.
www, email, chat, newsgroups Some filters work only with internet content, while others can be used with a wider range of
internet applications.
Updates To help ensure that your filter is as effective as possible, you may want to install a product that is updated
automatically when you connect to the internet. Alternatively, your ISP may offer a filter that they administer and update for you.
ISP or user? Products that are installed on a home computer are likely to provide more flexibility in configuring the software to
the user’s requirements. However, they may be more easily circumvented than a filter that is administered by an ISP.

Mobile Phones

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:06:58 +0000

Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association

AMTA is the peak industry body representing Australia’s mobile telecommunications industry. AMTA members include mobile Carriage Service Providers (CSPs), handset manufacturers, retail outlets, network equipment suppliers and other suppliers to the industry.

AMTA works to maximise the beneficial impacts of mobile telecommunications by providing consumers with advice to assist them in choosing mobile products and services that suit their particular needs and budgets, and to help them manage their own usage.

Teen tips: http://www.amta.org.au/files/Bullying.-.Teen.tips.pdf

Parent tips: http://www.amta.org.au/page/Bullying.and.mobile.phones.-.parents.tips

To assist schools in managing their students’ behaviour in relation to mobile phones, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has created a template policy document Developing an Acceptable Use Policy for Mobile Phones in Your School for use by schools: http://www.amta.org.au/pages/Acceptable.use.policy.for.mobiles.in.schools

Reporting Cyber Safety Breaches

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:04:34 +0000

Content complaints

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) responds to community concerns about offensive and illegal material on the internet by administering a national regulatory scheme that includes the investigation of complaints about prohibited internet content and internet gambling services.

ACMA also enforces Australia’s anti-spam laws and accepts complaints about unsolicited email messages.

For more information, or to make a complaint, visit the ACMA website (www.acma.gov.au/hotline).

Online child sex exploitation

If you are concerned about online behaviour that involves sexual exploitation of a child you can report it to the Australian Federal Police Online Child Sex Exploitation Team (OCSET).

OCSET works with state and territory police and international law enforcement agencies to investigate online child sex exploitation which occurs using telecommunications services, such as internet or mobile phones.

Offences include accessing, sending or uploading child pornography or child abuse material and online engagement (grooming or procuring) of children under 16 years of age for sexual purposes. Investigations may also focus on internet sites, either within or outside of Australia, that host child pornography and child abuse material.

To report any suspicious or inappropriate online behaviour visit the Australian Federal Police website (www.afp.gov.au/national/child_protection_operations/online_child_sex_exploitation.html).

If you know about a child who is in immediate danger or risk, call 000 or contact your local police.

Digital Citizenship

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:59:37 +0000

We’re always reminding our kids to “pick up after yourself” and “cover your mouth when you cough”, but lately many parents have had to add rules like “don’t bring your mobile to the dinner table” and more importantly, “don’t use my credit card to shop online”.

We’re the first generation of parents responsible for equipping our children with ‘digital citizenship’ skills – how to use technology safely and responsibly, and how to evaluate, manage and use the information and tools they find online.

The UK website www.digizen.org, created by Childnet International, describes good digital citizenship as “building safe spaces and communities, understanding how to manage personal information, and about … using your online presence to grow and shape your world in a safe, creative way, and inspiring others to do the same”.

But don’t our kids know more about all this than we do? Aren’t they the ‘digital natives’ – a name coined by US education writer Marc Prensky?

While it’s likely your 10-year-old may have more experience with technology than you, adults and kids tend to start using the technology long before they’re taught about responsible online behaviour.

According to a report by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in 2009, less than 18 per cent of respondents had formal training in how to use the internet. So if you sometimes feel like you’re making it up as you go along, it turns out most of us are.