Cyberbullying
Make cyberspace a better place for our young people. These days, Australian students live in a digital world. Whilst this world is an amazing source of entertainement, information and connection, they need to learn how to avoid the dangers of its misuse. It is a challenge for both parents and young people to learn to live in this digital world and use its wonders to help build closer family ties and a better community.
Cyber Bullying is a problem of the 21st Century. The ready availability of relatively cheap mobile phones, computers ipads and the like have opened up the whole world to our students. Students can now talk to the world at a relatively small cost. This has created a wonderful opportunity for citizens of the global community to become more aware of and understanding of other cultures. We no longer speak of the tyrany of distance. I can sit at my computer and not only talk to relative on the other side of the world but see them as well. My neighbour regularly talks to her two year old grand daughter who lives with her parents in France.
This wonderful world of easy communication has its darker side. Nothing sent into cyberspace is private, there is always someone somewhere with the ability to decode your information. Type your name into "Google Search" you may be surprised at what you find. Young people do not seem to understand the implications of this and often disclose personal information or post pictures on the internet giving the world access. It is now common for employers to search the internet for information on job applicants.
You cannot lock young people away from technology. Mobile phones, computers and the internet are with us to stay its better to learn to live with them than try and ban them.
The school has purchased access to the "Cyber Survivor" programme which can be accessed at www.choicez.com.au . The parent access code is Pgu7uv. This site contains a series of videos on dealing with Cyberbullying. The videos are only a couple of minutes long so you can view each one at your leisure.To access the site after clicking on the link above move to the bottom of the screen and click on the button that says "Parent/Teacher Resources" and use the access code.
Another useful website established by the government is Cyber Smart which can be accessed at http://www.cybersmart.gov.au .
