Select Page

Cybersmart – unwanted online contact

by | Nov 27, 2014 | Cybersafety, Cybersmart, Newsletter snapshot, Uncategorized | 0 comments

This is number 6 in a series of great articles designed to put in school newsletters to keep parents informed around the latest cybersafety issues. They have been developed by Cybersmartthe Cybersmart team at ACMA and are available via http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Outreach/Connected.aspx

Schools are encouraged to copy and paste these in your school newsletter or share them online

6- Managing unwanted online contact

The internet has opened an unprecedented opportunity for people to communicate and receive information anywhere and at anytime.

Through email and social networking, we can engage with people who are both well known, existing friends and new friends that we may never meet face to face or speak with offline.

It is important for your child to understand that as in the offline world, some people online have ill intentions. Unwanted contact is any type of online communication that your child finds unpleasant or confronting. The contact can come from unknown online friends or someone they actually know in the offline world.

Consider these steps to help your child manage unwanted contact.

  • Encourage your child to raise concerns with you or another trusted adult.
  • Block the person contacting your child and change the privacy settings.
    Don’t respond to the person or give them any attention.
  • Keep the evidence. This can be useful in tracking the person posting unsuitable material.
  • Contact the ISP, phone provider or site administrator.
    There are actions they can take to help.
  • Visit the Cybersmart Online Helpline (www.cybersmart.gov.au/report.aspx) to chat with an experienced counsellor or call the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

 

DEECD resources can be found http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/bullystoppers/Pages/parents.aspx

Glossary:

Internet service provider (ISP)

An ISP is a company that provides access to the internet for home and business users. For a monthly fee, the service provider enables people to log onto the internet and, amongst other activities, browse the world wide web and send/ receive email.

A full cybersafety glossary may be found at www.cybersmart.gov.au/glossary.aspx

 

 

DEECD resources can be found http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/bullystoppers/Pages/parents.aspx

Submit a Comment