Safe Use of the Internet
Safe use may include: Privacy, Nettiqutte, Cyberbullying, Trolling, Sexting, Grooming, etc.
Protect yourself and help keep the web a safer place for everyone" (staysafeonline.org)
Internet safety, or online safety, is the knowledge of maximizing the user's personal safety and security risks to private information and property associated with using the internet, and the self-protection from computer crime in general (Wikipedia, 2015).
Privacy:
Maintaining privacy online is essential in protecting yourself and personal information. "Internet privacy is the privacy and security level of personal data published via the Internet. It is a broad term that refers to a variety of factors, techniques and technologies used to protect sensitive and private data, communications, and preferences" (Techopedia.com). Tips to protect your online privacy:
Following these tips can prevent you falling victim to online hacking in which they can gather all your private information such as passwords, banking details, and even your home address. Cyberbullying:
Cyberbullying is "bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites" (Stopbullying.gov). Cyberbullying is sometimes worse than other forms of bullying as it can occur 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It can happen when you are alone and can be done anonymously in front of a wide audience. According to CyberSmart.org, Cyberbullying can include:
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Netiquette:
Netiquette is defined by Dictionary.com as "the rules of etiquette that apply when communicating over computer networks, especially the Internet". It is sometimes easy to forget that there is a real person on the other end of your keyboard and to say and do things online that would hurt someone in real life (Cybersmart.gov). You should always:
Fun video on Netiquette
Grooming:
Grooming is defined as "actions deliberately undertaken with the aim of befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child, in order to lower the child's inhibitions in preparation for sexual activity with the child" (Inhope.org, n.d.). As the popularity of children using online chatrooms and social networking increases, the opportunity for paedophiles to interact with children also unfortunately increases. These paedophiles often pretend to be teenagers and children, allowing the child to become more relaxed and willing to give information. Inhope.org's Tips for increasing the online safety of children:
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Trolling:
"Trolling is trying to get a rise out of someone. Forcing them to respond to you, either through wise-crackery, posting incorrect information, asking blatantly stupid questions, or other foolishness. However, trolling statements are never true or are ever meant to be construed as such. Nearly all trolled statements are meant to be funny to some people, so it does have some social/entertainment value" (UrbanDictionary.com, 2009). |
Sexting:
"The act of text messaging someone in the hopes of having a sexual encounter with them later; initially casual, transitioning into highly suggestive and even sexually explicit" (UrbanDictionary.com, 2008). Image from: Crazyforcomputers.net
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