Get yourself Cybersmart!

(Giphy, 2013)

What does Cybersmart mean?

The term Cybersmart refers to someone who is educated in computer technology and highly skilled digital technology used in a safe and respectful way (Babylon, 2016).

Research indicates that 81% of 12 to 17-year-olds are digitally active and regularly surf the web, whilst 90% of users aged 16-17 said that they were digitally active and regularly used the internet for social media and research purposes (AMCA & Chadwick, 2012). So it’s fair to say that most you reading will be pretty familiar with the likes of the Cyber World (especially since this blog is online).

How can I become Cybersmart?

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3630903.htm

The best way to become Cybersmart is by educating yourself on the Cyberworld. Here are 5 key steps that you should follow to make sure that you’re being Cybersmart:

1. Be respectful to others when you’re online and make sure that when you interact with others you are being safe by not providing personal information i.e. your address, personal images, bank details etc.
2. Always consider the YAPPY acronym when you’re online if you’re unsure if you are being Cybersmart; Your full name, address, phone number, passwords, your plans (Morris, 2012).
3. If you come across any person or content online that makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable tell a parent, guardian, adult or teacher. You can always contact Kids Helpline or contact 000 if you feel endangered.
4. If you are experiencing cyberbullying, you are not alone! Make sure that you speak to a parent, adult or teacher so that they can help you.
5. Do not trust everything you find on the internet! The internet is a great resource for information but it is unfiltered and can provide misleading/false information. The internet also homes different online accounts, some of which can belong to false persons (identities).

 

The issue of Cybersafety has been a growing concern in the rise of digital technology in the 21st century. The Office for eSafety has said stated the importance of schools teaching and practising eSafety in order to ‘help young people have safe, positive experiences online and encouraging behavioural change, where a generation of Australian children act responsibly online—just as they would offline’ (Commonwealth of Australia, 2017). Here are some policies that have been implemented in Victorian schools to help teach and practise eSafety:

• Cybersafety Policy: “All reports of cyberbullying and other technology misuses will be investigated fully and may result in a notification to the police. College sanctions may include but are not limited to, the loss of computer privileges, detention and suspension” (Dimboola Memorial Secondary College, 2015).

• Child Safe- Code of Conduct Policy: “Listening and responding to the views and concerns of students, particularly if they are telling you that they or another child has been abused or that they are worried about their [e]safety/the safety of another child promoting the cultural safety [as well as in the online world]” (Glen Waverley Secondary College, 2016).

Watch this Behind the News Clip and identify 3 key ways that you can make sure you’re Cybersmart when you’re surfing the web! Please share your Cybersmart techniques on the comments section of this blog. 

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3630903.htm

 

 

 

Benefits and Opportunities: Digital Citizenship

(Giphy, 2013)

There are so many advantages and benefits of using digital technology and engaging with social media both in your personal life and at school. It is important to practise digital citizenship for safe and respectful use of the internet, especially since being digitally literate has become  crucial as the world around us becomes more globalised (Burnett, 2016, p.3). Here are some key benefits and opportunities in using digital technology safely and respectfully:

• Connect in online communities with other people who share similar interests

• Access to networks of resources and different information sources

• It is easier to research information to use for studies and for personal use (Fagin et al., 1995)

• Access to educational programs that tailor accounts to your individual needs i.e. Duolingo (Harmer, 2015, p.54-79)

• Helps you to keep connected with your friends (Digital Citizenship, 2013)

(Giphy, 2013)

 School Policies on Digital Citizenship:

1. The internet provides students with unprecedented opportunities to obtain information, engage in discussion, and liaise with individuals, organisations and groups world-wide so as to increase skills, knowledge and abilities in a safe and respectful way. (St Leonards Primary School, 2015)
2. Provide guidance to staff, students, parents and others about what constitutes a safe, respectful and caring environment where technologies are used smartly, safely and responsibly for learning and communicating. (Glen Waverley Secondary College, 2016)

Write your own Digital Citizenship policy and share it on the comments section of the blog!

 

Sharpen your cybersafety skills with the Gizmo family!

(Commonwealth of Australia, 2016).

Share in the comment section of this blog 5 advantages of using digital technology.

Risks of Cyber World

(Giphy, 2013)

The Cyber World is an exciting and often a very dangerous place to be a citizen. The internet has an endless amount of opportunities, unlimited knowledge and with unrestricted access to limitless spaces in deep web. This quality is what makes the internet such an attractive and often an addictive resource. However, if responsible use and safety measures are not practised the digital world can be difficult to navigate and potentially harmful to students (Agatson, 2007) (Rodríguez de Dios, 2014, p.654).

There are many different risks that you could encounter when engaging with the online world but these are four key risks that are classified as ‘high-risk’ cyber behaviour:

(Giphy, 2013)

Cyber bullying 

‘Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology’. In Australia, 40% of kids and teens had personally experienced cyberbullying. In 2016, 42% of kids and teens were adversely affected after experiencing a negative incident online and 58% felt angry, upset, fearful or intimidated, 49% struggled with their self-esteem. These figures indicate the importance of cybersafety, so that you can be an advocate against Cyberbullying (Commonwealth of Australia, 2016). Play the Stop Cyberbullying Now! story game (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2017) to explore the key issues raised in cyberbullying and what to do if you or someone you know are cyberbullied. 

(Giphy, 2013)

Sexual Harassment & Sexting

Sexual harassment and sexting is classified as dangerous and  high risk behaviour. Sexual harassment refers to ‘any unwanted or unwelcome sexual behaviour, which makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated’ (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2017). Sexting by definition is ‘taking, sending or sharing of provocative or sexual images, photos, messages or videos generally using a mobile phone or the internet’ (Department of Education and Training, 2016). In Australia, 9% of teens had experienced having inappropriate private photos of them posted without their consent (Commonwealth of Australia, 2016).

These scenarios describe the nature of sexting: 

• exchange of photos between two people in a romantic relationship
• exchange of photos between romantic partners, that are distributed to people outside the relationship

photos provided by young people to adults who are grooming

(Kids Helpline, 2017)

Explicit sexual content (pornography)

The Cyber World is a place that is wonderful for learning, entertainment and connecting with people all over the world. As Digital Natives, it is expected that you will have come accross explicit or inappropriate content when surfing the internet at some point. It is important to acknowledge the risks of coming across explicit sexual content or pornography. This type of content can often lead to misguided and harmful gender and sexual stereotypes which can be dangerous (Commonwealth of Australia, 2016).

(Giphy, 2013)

Contact with dangerous persons and false identities and false information

When engaging with social media sites such as: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat or any other new emerging social media platforms, you might encounter identities online that seem a little…weird. They might troll forums or write comments advertising free goods and services. Using social media can be super fun but it is crucial that you practise digital citizenship when engaging with social media (Lenhart & Madden, 2007). In 2016, 22% of teens had experience someone impersonating someone else, 24% of teens were sent repeated unwanted communications, 12% had someone impersonate them and 19% received personal threats to their safety. The eSafety study indicated that 41% of  those teens took actions after experience a dangerous or inappropriate incident online, 66% report to their parents, 33% told their friends and 23% blocked the person with a false identity (Commonwealth of Australia, 2016).

These are some key ways that you can do this:

• Putting your profile settings on private
• Not posting personal information to your account or anyone elses
• Choosing pictures selectively that you want to upload online

What to do if you come across false identities on the net?

• Report them directly to the site administrator

• If you have contact with a stranger who makes you feel uncomfortable, talk to a parent or a teacher at school (VIT 1.1., 2016)

• If you are feeling scared, intimidated or in danger after contact with a stranger, you should call Kids Helpline or 000

 

 

 

Student Task: Risks of Cyber World

View the video ‘Megan’s Story’ produced by Think U Know Australia (2010)

Discuss in the comments section of this blog, these three questions (Think U Know Australia, 2010)

• What happens to your images once you share them?
• Did the boy who shared the image with the class break any law?
• If you were in Megan’s class, and you received the picture: What would you have done with it? Think of one legal reason and one ethical reason.

 

Are you a Digital Citizen?

What is a Digital Citizen?

A Digital Citizen is someone who is confident in using the internet responsibly and respectfully. A Digital Citizen is aware of not sharing personal information in a public forum and will report any inappropriate or dangerous content that they have found on the internet. Digital Citizenship is having confidence in engaging with digital technology in a positive way (Department of Education and Training, 2016) (AITSL 4.5, 2016).

(Thinglink, 2010)

How Do I Become a Digital Citizen?

(Grom Social, 2015)

In order to become a Digital Citizen it is important to be respectful and safe when communicating with others in the cyber world (AITSL 4.4, 2016). It is critical that you engage with safe and appropriate content when you are online and it is fundamental that you ensure that you are an advocate against Cyberbullying. There are three key rules that you should follow to be a Digital Citizen (Department of Education and Training, 2016). These are:

1. Engage positively 

   Practice engaging with the cyber world with the #Gameon video. Learn from the characters how to inform yourself on cyber bullying, excessive gaming, privacy and safety, free downloads and online friends.

2. Know your online world

   Further, develop your knowledge of your online world with an interactive animation Be Deadly Online.

3. Choose consciously

   Follow the storylines of characters in #Tagged and learn about making safe choices in the digital world

(Giphy, 2013)

Your Digital Citizenship can be used all over the cyber world. It can be used when you travel to your favourite social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram etc. You can be a digital citizen when writing e-mails to people and when researching topics for school and personal interest (Ribble, 2016).

 

Take the Digital Citizenship Pledge!

When you have taken the pledge, complete the pledge form and share your pledges in the comments forum in this blog.

 

What is Cybersafety?

Cybersafety is an important aspect to consider in digital learning and general use of the internet. The term Cybersafety refers to ‘the safe and responsible use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)’ (Netsafe, 2017). The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership also discuss the importance of practising cybersafety when engaging online by: learning how to use ICT programs (AITSL 2.6, 2016) learning how to maintain safety on the net (AITSL 4.4, 2016) and using ICT ‘safely, responsibly and ethically’  (AITSL 4.5, 2016).

(Giphy, 2013)

Many of your schools will have policies in place that will help you practise digital safety when engaging with digital technology. Here are some examples of things schools have done to practise digital safety:

• The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) system will be used in an appropriate manner by authorised users. This school has offered apps to help maintain Cybersafety such as; Halt (anti-cyberbullying), Ignore No More and Kik message application (Ivanhoe Grammar School (2014).
• All students sign an agreement at the time of their enrollment agreeing to abide by the college code of conduct (Princes Hill Secondary College, 2012) by using the ‘No Blame’ initiative.

What are the policies for Cybersafety at your school?

Share your school’s’ Cybersafety policy in the comments section of this blog.

In order to practise Cybersafety it is fundamental to consider these critical issues:

(Giphy, 2013)

Offensive or Illegal Content

Offensive or illegal content refers to anything that is prohibited that you should not be viewing such a violent, criminal and explicit content. This is determined under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (Commonwealth of Australia, 2016)

Here is a list of content that may be deemed offensive or illegal:

• Video footage of violence or criminal acts

• Content encouraging criminal behaviour

• Content encouraging terrorism

• Content that is sexually explicit or inappropriate

Cyberbullying

(Giphy, 2013)

What is Cyberbullying? Cyberbullying refers to anyone who uses the internet and technology to hurt someone else. This type of bullying can result in physical, emotional and psychological abuse and can be extremely dangerous.

What is considered ‘Cyberbullying’?

Cyberbullying can happen through many different platforms, transmitted through many different social media channels that you might be involved in. For example:

• Abusive tweets, Facebook/Instagram comments

• Upsetting emails, text messages or private messages/comments on social media

• Alienating behaviour on social platforms

• Spreading of rumours or hurtful gossip being displayed online

Unwanted Contact

(Giphy, 2013)

Unwanted Contact refers to anyone who communicates with you know or may not know that you do not want to speak to. This type of contact can be:

• Being asked for information or questions that you do not feel comfortable talking about

• Being asked for pictures of yourself that make you feel strange

• Being sent content that makes you feel distressed or uncomfortable

Trolling

(Chillier17, 2017)

The mythical creature that lives under the bridge?

Not exactly, however the internet term was adapted from the word troll, because trolls are known to be ‘antisocial, quarrelsome which make life difficult for travellers’ (Schwartz, 2008). This perfectly describes the characteristics that online trolling can have on cyber users. The term trolling refers to when someone purposefully tries to stir up trouble on the internet by saying hurtful or mean spirited comments. Trolling most commonly will happen via social media platforms and online forums.

What to do when you are experiencing content online that is harmful or makes you feel uncomfortable?

• Call Kids Helpline                                              

• Tell your parents or someone at school

• Report the content directly to the site administrator 

• Block the content or the person involved    

• If you’re in danger call OOO for help

• Call Headspace to talk about any content that has distressed your or is distressing someone you know

Are You a Cybersafety Pro?

Take this quiz and share your results in the comments section of this blog.