Cyber Awareness

Technology is not just a resource or tool; it is integrated into daily life. Access to the Internet and the use of mobile phones are part of youth culture. Our students are often referred to as the 24/7 or ‘always-on’ generation. The peer group is always connected in the ‘virtual playground’. Just as we teach protective behaviours to our children when young, it is essential that we emphasise safety in an online environment. Mary Ward’s values of truth, sincerity and justice underpin our encouragement that Loreto girls ‘be such as you appear and appear such as you are’.

The Loreto school community promotes positive cyber behaviour by encouraging the following:

PROMOTE RESPONSIBILITY

• Development of personal responsibility

• Use of age appropriate content filtering

• Placement of computers / notebooks in public spaces in the home

• Discussion of safe online behaviour

FOSTER POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS

• Awareness of appropriate responses when using instant messaging, message boards, texting, blogging, vlogging

• Contact the pastoral care teacher / class teacher / coordinator if something is discovered that is inappropriate

• As adults, we have a duty of care to keep our girls safe

OPEN COMMUNICATION

• The difference between private vs public information must be made clear

• Web-enabled mobile phones and wireless USB connections provide immediate access anywhere • Appropriateness of a profile / handle

• Once sent, messages cannot be retrieved but the evidence remains

CONTRACT

• House rules should be established

• Online behaviour should be respectful of self and others

CYBER SAFETY

If you would like further information about cyber safety, please visit one of these websites:

1. www.cybersmart.gov.au/

2. www.bullyingnoway.com.au

3. www.staysmartonline.gov.au

4. www.chatdanger.com/

5. www.bullyonline.org/

6. www.antibullying.net/cyberbullying5.htm

7. www.stoptextbully.com/

8. www.ikeepsafe.org/

9. www.netsmartzkids.org/indexFL.htm

Please remember that bullying can take many forms:

• Bullying can be carried out through an Internet service such as email, chat room, discussion group or instant messaging.

• It can also include bullying through mobile phone technologies such as short messaging service (SMS).

Examples of cyber bullying:

• Teasing and being made fun of

• Spreading of rumours online

• Sending unwanted messages

• Defamation

• Anyone can be bullied online and the bully can act anonymously if he or she desires.

• People can also be bullied online by groups of people such as class groups or collective members of an online community.

Remember, talk to someone:

Reach Out www.reachout.com.au

Life Line www.lifeline.com.au

Kids helpline www.kidshelp.com.au