Recently I watched a webinar through Generation Next on The 5 Principles of Internet Safety. This was presented by Brett Lee (no, not the fast bowler) who is a former police officer and founder of Internet Safe Education. Brett strongly believes that by empowering ourselves and our children with the right knowledge, everyone can be safe online. The following is a summary of The 5 Principles of Internet Safety that Brett has developed for parents and young people. They are simple and basic and not overly complicated.
5 Principles for Young People:
- Internet is public and permanent – many people feel that the internet is private because they can’t see others online. This is not true. What you post online, including pictures, is no longer yours and in your control, they stay online forever.
- Protect your personal details online – you do not give out your personal details to a stranger on the street, the internet is no different. Do not give out any personal details as people can take advantage of it.
- People you know on the internet are strangers – unfortunately not everyone on the internet is who they say they are, and we really don’t know them. Treat everyone on the internet as a stranger.
- Internet always has rules and responsibilities – consequences for misusing the internet are real world consequences.
- Talk to a trusted person if you have an online problem – adults do not need to have an extensive knowledge of technology to help, we want to create a culture of communication where our children can come to us for help.
5 Principles for Parents:
Set clear rules and boundaries – these will help keep children safe and be consistent in enforcing rules. Rules and boundaries can include time limits and curfews, understanding what language is and isn’t acceptable, where technology can be used within the home (preferably in open areas), what apps, websites and games can be used, and what to do if something happens.
You make the final decision – you have the right to make choices that relate to technology. As children get older, rules and boundaries may change with their age and needs, however you still have the final decision.
Use management controls – parents have a right to know where their child is going and who they communicate with, this is no different online and it is not spying. Use controls to help manage the rules and boundaries that you have set. If parents start using monitoring or filtering programs early, it will become part of your child’s online world. They will get accustomed to this at home just as they will encounter it at school and then in the workplace.
Stay up to date with usage – what devices are connected to the internet, when are they connected, what programs are they using, who are they connecting with?
Communicate – create an environment of openness about technology and talk about it with your kids. You can always get advice from older kids regarding what they did or didn’t do, talk about their experience.
If you are interested in learning more, check out Generation Next and watch the free webinar in the link.
If you are interested in learning more about Brett Lee and his work, check out his foundation and website, Internet Safe Education, for lots of great resources.
As always, if you have any concerns, please be in touch with Soraya and I at schoolcounsellor@oranaschool.com
Sharman Hampson
