Cybersafety

MacKillop registers as an eSmart School

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:49:00 GMT

MacKillop College has been sponsored by the Catholic Education Office to become a registered school in the Alannah and Madelaine Foundation's eSmart Initiative. We are gradually achieving goals through a set criteria for maintaining quality education the cyber-based education community.

eSmart aims to make cybersafety a normal part of everybody’s life by equipping them to use technologies in ways that are positive and that protect them from the potential risks. The first major focus of eSmart is to help schools create a cultural norm of smart, safe and responsible use of digital technologies.

Developed for Australian schools, eSmart is an easy-to-use, evidence-based and tested system to help schools manage cybersafety and deal with cyberbullying and bullying.

The eSmart system provides a framework for schools to implement whole-school culture and behaviour change relevant to the smart, safe and responsible use of digital technologies.

The Alannah and Madeline Foundation developed the initiative with RMIT School of Education and many cybersafety and education experts.

How to stay in control - mobiles

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 08:03:00 GMT

What are the risks?

This articles was taken from www.thinkuknow.org.au

Many parents may be concerned about the large bills that young people can create on their mobile phones, but there are other risks associated with the use of mobile phones.

Mobile phones can be used for up-skirting or down-blousing which are covert means of taking photos of the female anatomy. Similar to this is the practice of young people taking sexualised photos of themselves and sending them to their current partner. This is, in fact, creating child pornography if the person is under the age of 18 and it is a Commonwealth offence. This has also been referred to as “sexting”

Mobile phones can also be the medium in which cyber-bullying takes place. This might involve sending insulting or threatening text messages, sending unpleasant picture messages or using mobile devices to spread hurtful rumours.

Smart phones allow users to download apps for a variety of purposes. Some of these may be inappropriate for your child and there are some steps you and your child can take to use apps safely and responsibly. For more information, check out the ThinkUKnow.org.au website page on app safety.

How can young people stay in control?

Phone numbers should only be given to friends and you should never give out someone else's number without their permission.

Think twice before taking an inappropriate photo of yourself or someone else on your mobile phone.

Ask someone before taking a photo of them with your mobile phone.

Don't use your mobile phone as a tool to use for cyber-bullying.

If you receive an inappropriate image on your mobile don't send it around to your friends, delete it.

Think carefully before downloading an app.

Useful Numbers

For technical assistance:	Orange: 13 34 88	For handest-related issues:
'3': 13 33 20	Telstra: 125 111	Motorola: 1300 138 823
AAPT: 138 886	Virgin: 1300 555 100	Nokia: 1300 366 733
Optus 1300 300 937	Vodafone: 1300 650 410	Sony Ericsson: 1300 650 050

How to report inappropriate content

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:22:00 GMT

What is inappropriate content?

Under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, certain types of online content are prohibited. These include, but are not limited to: child abuse images, unrestricted access to pornography, illegal activities, and terrorist-related material.

Advice

It is important to prevent young people from accessing this type of material as it may be psychologically harmful. It may be worthwhile discussing appropriate safety guidelines for using the Internet with young people and an Internet content filter may be useful for young children.

What to do next

If you have come across content which you believe to be illegal or prohibited, you can report it to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) via their online form.

Further support

If you have been exposed to inappropriate content and want to speak to someone about it you can talk to:

Reach Out
LifeLine 13 11 14
Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800

ThinkUKnow Organisation, Australia, How to Report Inappropriate Content, last updated n.d, viewed 21/9/2011 < http://www.thinkuknow.org.au/site/content.asp >

The "Think U Know" Website

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 07:56:00 GMT

ThinkUKnow is an Internet safety program delivering interactive training to parents, carers and teachers through primary and secondary schools across Australia using a network of accredited trainers.

Created by the UK Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre, ThinkUKnow Australia has been developed by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Microsoft Australia, and is now proudly supported by ninemsn.

MacKillop College hosted a Think U Know event in Term 2 and it was met with a very favourable response by the parents and carers of our sons and daughters. Both informative and thought-provoking this event provided our parents with a bank of knowledge and resources that assisted them in the parenting of their children on the use the Internet and mobile technologies.

This website also provides an interesting and informative monthly e-newsletter that everyone can subscribe to.

Cybersafety Resources: Brochures and Posters

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 08:44:00 GMT

As parents / carers it can be difficult to keep up with the latest trends and issues in the world of cyberspace and digital communication technologies. The Cybersmart website provides some fantastic downloadable resources for those who wish to keep up with these trends and issues.

Take a little time to peruse the resources on offer as they can be a great support for you when having family discussions with your sons and/or daughters. Click the image below to access these printable resources.

The Cybersmart Website

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:24:00 GMT

The Australian Government's Cybersmart website provides activities, resources and practical advice to help young kids, kids, teens and parents safely enjoy the online world. Cybersmart also offers training and resources for schools and materials for library staff. Developed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, Cybersmart is part of the Australian Government’s cybersafety program.

As a parent, you can play an important role in helping your children have safe and positive experiences online. By becoming aware of how children and young people use the internet, some of the risks they face and strategies to manage these risks, you can help guide your children to enjoy the best of the online world.

Cybersafety Help Button

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:23:00 GMT

The Australian Government’s cybersafety help button provides internet users, particularly children and young people, with easy online access to cybersafety information and assistance available in Australia.

The help button is a free application that is easily downloaded onto personal, school and library computers. It provides help and advice on a range of online risks including cyberbullying, unwanted contact, scams and fraud, and offensive or inappropriate material.

All you need do is download it from the download page (click image below) and install it on your computer desktop. You can leave the button icon on your desktop or place it on the taskbar. Then just click it twice if you ever need help or advice about something unsafe or upsetting that you have encountered on the internet.