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March, 2007 Being safe in cyberspace Ensuring Melbourne Grammar students are safe in cyberspace is a key concern of the School. Recently Melbourne Grammar’s Director of Educational Services Elaine Hosie engaged consultant Robyn Treyvaud to speak to staff about the Cyberworld and safety in that world in which the youth of today live. Robyn is a private consultant working with teachers, parents and students about safe and responsible use of the internet. She consults for the Centre for Strategic Education and has recently been appointed to the International Advisory Board for the ‘I Keep Safe’ coalition in the US. A summary of her presentation is provided below. Cyberworld is a private world for young people and includes chat rooms, blogs, YouTube, Myspace, Pizco, Friendster, Hi5, Facebook, gaming sites such as World of Warcraft and X-Box live and other social places from which adults are excluded without knowing or understanding the spaces their children are inhabiting. Pornography An online survey of 300 13-19 year old Australians in 2006 identified that 70% of boys under 12 have experienced pornography which rises to 100% by 15 years of age. 43% of girls and 48% of boys have had a sexual experience in a chat room and 70% of both have sent or received sexual text massages. Cyberbullying and Harassment is a growing problem taken very seriously by Melbourne Grammar School and like other forms of bullying can have a serious impact on the social, emotional health of recipients. One definition of Cyberbullying is: ‘The use of information and communication technologies such as email, mobile phones, instant messaging and defamatory personal websites to support deliberate, repeated and hostile behaviour by an individual or a group that is intended to harm others.’ Bill Besley, www.cyberbullying.ca Cyberbullying can occur through email, web sites, online forums, chat rooms, blogs, instant messaging, voice/text sent to mobile phones. A survey in 2006 of 1,500 US teens found that 33% said they had been victimized through cyberbullying and 36.3% said they had witnessed their friends bully others in cyberspace. Cyberbullying includes: Signing on with someone else’s screen name Sending an email from someone’s account Impersonating someone over IM or online Teasing or frightening someone online Not identifying yourself online Posting information or pictures about someone without their consent Computer addiction is a rapidly growing phenomenon which interferes with the ability to satisfactorily perform daily functions. The addicted student will use technology for personal gratification to the detriment of all other responsibilities. Indicators of computer addiction are: Always talking about a particular online activity such as World of Warcraft Breaking agreed house rules Preferring to spend time online than with family members Acting aggressively to others Staying up too late at night then feeling tired during the day Falling behind in school work Wanting better and faster computers Physical symptoms such as carpal tunnel syndrome, dry eyes, migraine headaches, backaches, eating disturbance, sleep disturbance Lack of attention to personal hygiene Internet Security and Identity Theft occurs when scammers and groomers steal your identity to gain a financial or other type of benefit. Details scammers and groomers steal: Full name Telephone number Street address E-mail address Vehicle registration plate number Driver's license number Credit card numbers Date of Birth Country, state, or city of residence Age Name of the school they attend or workplace Grades, salary, or job position Phishing Phishers attempt to fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Ebay and Paypal are two of the most targeted companies, and online banks are also common targets. Phishing is typically carried out using email or an instant message, and often directs users to a website, although phone contact has been used as well. Hints for Students to Stay Safe in Cyberspace Do not divulge personal information such as name, age, school or address. Use appropriate nicknames online that will not attract unwanted attention: Talk to a trusted adult if upset by something online. Inform parents Be wary of trusting strangers online – they may not be who they say they are Never meet online friends in real life Block people who are annoying you online Think before you click. Think where your mouse is clicking and sign off before trouble results Do not delete messages from cyber bullies and immediately inform your internet, messaging or mobile phone service provider or the school if appropriate If addicted seek assistance. This can be a difficult habit to break and you will need help from informed professionals Parental Responsibilities Talk to your children and develop a ‘moral compass’ with them: do not be afraid to say ‘NO’. You are the parent and need to establish a code of use: Establish clearly agreed upon house rules for computer use especially about homework and chatrooms and/or gaming sites Educate your children about staying safe in chatrooms Agree on appropriate chat rooms, discuss rooms and chat with your children Only use chat rooms where you register before you start Use Parental Safety Software that limit programs, time of access and may record online conversations Become involved in their online activities Provide adequate supervision. Keep the family computer in a public space in the house. Visit website cybersafekids.com.au If concerned contact: NetAlert Helpline, Phone: 1800 880 176, Email: enquiries@netalert.net.au, Web: www.netalert.net.au or Australian Federal Police, Online Child Sex Exploitation Team (OCSET), Phone: (07) 5553 8717, Email: OCSET at National-OCSET-OMC@afp.gov.au References Barbara Biggs, 2006, Chatroom, Micklind Enterprises Robyn Treyvaud, 2007, Presentation to Senior School Staff at Melbourne Grammar School ‘Privacy on the Internet: What Can Others Learn About You?’ http://www.walthowe.com/navnet/privacy.html ‘CyberSmart! Curriculum’ http://www.cybersmartcurriculum.org/home/ Elaine Hosie Psychologist Director of Educational Services Melbourne Grammar School Alberto Rizzo eLearning Coordinator Melbourne Grammar School Return to news index

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