• ACMA Cybersmart Families Guide

Cyber Safety

Our students, your children, live in a digitally connected world and for the main part the technology is both exciting and beneficial. Networking online form a part of the social identity of many adolescents.

Unfortunately, there is a minority in any community that will potentially use the medium inappropriately. We know that the vast majority of students are appalled at online comments that denigrate other students.

Our primary concern is to safeguard the reputation and welfare of our students. Keeping students cyber safe and aware will be achieved only through an effective partnership between parents and School.

I will reinforce to students regulary about digital responsibility including that 

• Social media ‘posts’ are not private conversations between individuals and small groups. They can be, and are, accessed by others including, Parents, Schools and the broader community. Therefore, it is important that users are guarded in what they are prepared to write on these pages as they will ultimately be responsible for their words.
• Comments which vilify or denigrate others are unacceptable and in some cases illegal.  Depending upon the nature and context of the 'posts', individuals could be subject to disciplinary action by the School, charges by the police or civil action for defamation.
• Any online harassment is morally and ethically wrong and is completely contrary to the values of the School and the expectations we have of all members of our School community to respect and care for each other.
• The School will investigate instances of misuse of social networking sites to denigrate Students and will adopt a very strong response to such conduct.  In instances where criminal offences may have been committed, the School would co-operate fully with any police investigation.
• Students should immediately speak with pastoral care teacher or house Coordinator if they feel they have been the victim of bulling or harassment in any circumstance.

As most of the issues that arise in regards to cyber safety occur at home, where Students have continued access to the internet, education will continue to be the best approach to cyber safety and responsibility.

We will continue to provide education to Students, both in the classroom and in other forums, helping them understand how they might act in a digitally responsible way and also how to protect themselves.  The School will also identify ways in which we can assist and support Parents through public forums to be advised shortly.

The Government website www.cybersmart.gov.au may also prove to be useful.

Kind regards,

Michael Kenny

Principal

Further Information

Important Information from Victoria Police

The College was informed by Victoria Police during the week of a new tracking device on Facebook and other Social Networking sites that allows them to monitor the use of pages such as “Kilmore Goss” and “Assumption Goss”. Using this new technology, the police are now able to track down people who open profiles, add pages, write on the walls or inbox messages using this means. They have informed us that charges can and will be brought against people who opt to use this anonymous way of harassing / bullying others or use this form of communication to spread rumors about another person.  

Helpful Video

Below is a helpful video for all parents and young students to watch on Cyber Safety and making sure you are aware.

Cyber Safety Video

10 Responses to “I want Facebook now!”

1. If your child is under 13 you don’t need to read any further.  The answer is a simple ‘No’. To protect your children make sure they don’t have an account before they are old enough.
2. When they turn 13 the first condition is that they set up the account with you.  This means you too must have an account. It will help you understand how Facebook works and what Facebook jargon means. 
3. Make sure your child ‘friends’ you. This means that you can watch what your child is posting on their friends’ walls and what is being posted on their wall.  You may agree to be ‘defriended’ as they grow up and as they prove to you that they can manage their communications in a respectful manner.
4. Make sure that your child shares their User Name and Password with you. This allows you to see their private chat log and their messages but in the early days you may wish to monitor them as well.
5. Make sure your child only ‘friends’ people they know in real life. Literally anyone can send you a friend request.  Regularly go through their list of friends with them to check that they are genuine friends.  It is reassuring for your child to know that if they delete a ’friend’ the ‘friend’ does not receive a message that this has occurred.
6. Discuss boundaries with your child. Your child needs to know that he/she should not post any personal information online.  No reference to their full name, name of their school, their address or their birthday.
7. Limit your child’s access to the computer. Computers are a way of life, but as a parent you want to be able to monitor what your child is doing on the computer.  Make sure the computer is in a central location and not in their bedroom.
8. Invest in software that monitors and/or limits your child’s computer activity. Check out our Filter tab. Our IT Department has tested many filters and outlined their features.
9. Monitor the photos your child posts . Pictures can lead to online bullying and sometimes too much information.  Posting photos of a netball game in school uniform can tell unwanted people what school your child goes to.
10. Set the privacy settings on Facebook. Facebook will show phone numbers, pictures, your location and other personal information if you don’t turn it off.  Make sure you are there to help your child set up their account.