At the end of this tutorial students will be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of Internet usage, identify the main human hazards of Internet usage, know the main rules for safe surfing and social interaction on the Net and be aware of sites which provide protection from Internet hazards.
Safe and unsafe surfing
The Internet is a place to :
- look up information for school, how things work, news about your favourite sports and hobbies
- look for jobs and online career information
- find and book a movie, concert or event
- keep in touch with family and friends all over the world
- read or view up to the minute news online
- instantly look up information that is bugging you (Who does R2D2's voice in Star Wars? How do you spell...?)
there are over 500 million Internet users all over the world
- anyone anywhere with a computer and Internet connection can be active on the World Wide Web
- anyone anywhere including criminals can come into your home or school through the computer
- These intruders can
- bully, intimidate and harass people
- get into your computer from theirs and interfere with or damage your hardware
and software
- pass on viruses and malware
- conduct fraud and identity theft
- prey on children and young people
Cyber bullying
Cyber bullying can occur through an Internet service such as e mail, chat rooms, discussion groups, instant messaging or web pages. It can also include bullying through mobile phone technologies such as SMS. Cyber bullying can include
- teasing and being made fun of
- spreading of false and hurtful rumours about people online
- sending unwanted messages
- racist or sexist attacks
- defamation (saying untrue things about people)
Preventing cyber bullying
- Always treat other people online the way you like to be treated.
- If you are chatting in a chat room or by instant messenger, stop doing so if anyone if they say offensive things to you. Shut down the message or window and tell your parents about it straight away.
- If somebody in a chat room is offensive to you, tell the chat room host or moderator.
Trolls
A troll intentionally posts messages about sensitive topics constructed to cause controversy in an online community such as a forum. Trolls post on message boards. More recently they have been posting on blogs.
Dealing with trolls
People who run message boards and blogs always say "Do not feed the trolls". That means you should ignore what they write. Do not respond to them or attack them back. They are only trying to stir people up.
If you are really offended or alarmed by something another person writes in a forum or blog, report it to the person who runs the forum.
Hackers
A hacker is a person who is an expert on computers and security. Some hackers do valuable work in the computer industry but some are malicious hackers who break into computer systems, insert malicious software and who can even take over another person's computer.
Stopping hackers
- Always ask your parents for permission before downloading anything onto the computer.
- Make sure the computer you use has anti-virus and anti-spyware software
Fraud, identity theft and privacy
Fraud and identity theft can take place when people are conducting transactions online where they have to provide personal details or information about their bank accounts or their credit cards. E mail applications, online gambling sites and some online marketing sites can be places fraud and identity theft take place.
Some websites are scam sites – they have been set up to deprive people of money. Some websites may be bogus or dummy sites, for example websites supposedly for banks but which have been developed to deceive and coax people into providing credit card details ( phishing). They will try and persuade you to use your parents' credit card.
Preventing fraud and identity theft and protecting privacy
- Be careful if you are asked to fill in an online form where you need to give personal information. Providing personal information online can result in a student being targeted for spam (unsolicited email), advertising materials and/or viruses.
- Ask Mum or Dad to help you choose a cool nickname to use online. Don't use your real name when your surfing or chatting.
- Do not give out your Internet or email passwords to anyone (even best friends), other that your parents.
- Do not give your real name and address, telephone number, ATM PIN number, bank details or your parents' bank details to anyone you meet online.
- Let your parents know if you are asked to provide such information.
- Never attempt to use your own ATM card or your parents' credit cards to make online purchases
- Privacy issues are also applicable to students developing personal websites and blogs and publishing online. If you put up personal details, including photographs of yourself or other students, the information can be captured and reused by others for illicit purposes.
- Always ask your parents for permission before entering contests
Predators, stalkers and other criminals
Criminals have used chat rooms, email and instant messages to gain a child’s or young person's confidence, and then to arrange a face-to-face meeting (‘online grooming’) with the aim of doing serious harm to the child or young person.
A stalkers can be an older person or a person the same age as you who pesters you by messages and e mails. Stalkers like to pretend they have a relationship with someone even when they do not. Stalking online can be like being followed around and watched in real life.
Avoiding predators and stalkers
- Strangers online are the same as strangers you meet in person, and you should be very careful how you communicate with people you do not know in real life.
- Do not give out any personal information such as your last name, where you go to school, your address, telephone number or a picture of yourself without permission from your parents.
- Never agree to meet in person with someone you have made friends with online without permission from your parents.
- Do not click on any links that come from people you don't know. Links can take you to websites that aren't designed for kids.
- If someone tries to show you adult material or offensive, hateful or violent material, or material which encourages activities that are dangerous or illegal, tell a teacher or your parents straight away.
- If you get any inappropriate content use the back button, exit the browser, click the HOME icon or turn off the monitor
- If you develop websites for school projects or for personal interest, or if you have a blog or a Windows Live, MySpace, Facebook or YouTube site, protect your identity by not publishing detailed personal information, names, email addresses belonging to you or to others, or photographs of yourself
Content filtering
Schools can use special software to filter the content accessed on the Internet . This software can block certain sites or block sites with certain words on them. Parents can also buy or download software to protect home computers.
Useful links
Below are links to a large number of sites where you can download and read information and play interactive games to help you to stay safe on the Internet.
NetAlert is the Australian Government Net safety site with useful information to download and read for parents and teachers.
Early childhood and lower primary students
Netty's World is an interactive site for young children and their parents which teaches Internet safety in a fun way
Primary and lower secondary
Internet Rules for Primary and Junior Secondary Students
Four video clips from the Wise Up to It site (part of the NetAlert site) on young people and Internet hazards
Cyberquoll is an interactive site for primary and lower secondary students
For Kids By Kids Online is a comprehensive UK site dealing with all aspects of Internet safety for children
Secondary schools
Cybernetrix is the Internet safety site for secondary students.
*Netty's World, Cyberquoll and Cybernetrix are Australian Government-developed sites
For kids and parents
Surf Swell Island describes itself as "a quiz-driven adventure game..." presenting Internet safety material in "a series of three games, each featuring a classic Disney character and focusing on an area of concern: privacy, viruses, or netiquette (guidelines for behavior on the Internet). A mini-quiz follows each of the three games, reinforcing what was presented. The exciting Challenge of Doom mega-quiz brings together the content from the first three games. Answering correctly gives children access to a collection of fun Surf Swell-themed activities located in the password-protected Treasure Palace."
Another US Internet activity for children and parents is Internet Safety Game