Cyber Safety
Responsible internet and technology use requires students to understand their rights and responsibilities, including protecting privacy, considering the real life impact of
actions online, staying within the law, and managing your digital reputation. All online
users have a personal responsibility to avoid engaging in any forms of online bullying and to be an upstander (‘helpful bystander’) by speaking up about issues they see online. Upstander behaviour is founded in students having a high level of empathy and respect for others, as well as a sense of social justice.
Typical upstander behaviour includes:
• Actively challenging and discouraging bullying, violence and injustice
• Reaching out and defending/supporting others experiencing bullying
• Help-seeking and reporting bullying behaviour to adults and appropriate authorities
both online and offline.
How to be safe
Listen to the story “Want to hear a story”
‘Want to Hear a Story ’ by Roiratu Age 14: “…
“So I follow this girl on Instagram and she has a band fan account. Everyone in the band’s fandom knows her because of how much (sic) followers she has and all that. So one day she posted a photo of herself. Her caption was of how she is happy and comfortable in her own skin, and how she thinks she is beautiful. But there was this one Instagram account that kept telling her that she is ugly and not beautiful. She has very supportive followers so they kept telling her that none of what that person told her is true. So she believed them until that same person kept doing that. It started to actually make her believe that it’s true. I got really irritated and called out that person who was making her feel bad about herself. I wrote a long post saying how rude and mean it is to say those things about people and how no one should get treated like that. So the week later the person who was bullying the girl got reported and Instagram took their account down. So now she doesn’t have to deal with those types of people again. Sure, there might be some people like that who did the same thing to her but it’s not that bad. The girl who owns the fan account now has learned to ignore the haters.”
Discuss the story with your classroom teacher and peers to answer the following questions.
actions online, staying within the law, and managing your digital reputation. All online
users have a personal responsibility to avoid engaging in any forms of online bullying and to be an upstander (‘helpful bystander’) by speaking up about issues they see online. Upstander behaviour is founded in students having a high level of empathy and respect for others, as well as a sense of social justice.
Typical upstander behaviour includes:
• Actively challenging and discouraging bullying, violence and injustice
• Reaching out and defending/supporting others experiencing bullying
• Help-seeking and reporting bullying behaviour to adults and appropriate authorities
both online and offline.
How to be safe
- Choose and use passwords wisely – Make certain that your password contains at least 8 characters and includes a variety of numbers, letters, and/or symbols.
- Download with care – Download images, applications, and screen savers from trusted sources only. Make certain that you know that the website you are visiting and it is one you can trust.
- Avoid forwarding chain letters, jokes, and other types of SPAM – These letters often contain false information that misleads people.
- Be sure to use and update your anti-virus software – This is your best defense against viruses!
- Make regular back-ups of your files – In the case of a virus or computer malfunction, regular back-ups help to get your system back in order quickly.
- When you receive a message that makes you feel uncomfortable, do not respond – Immediately shut off your monitor or close your laptop and talk to a parent or trusted adult.
- Use your computer in a positive manner that is respectful and responsible to others – Remember, it is important to use your system to do good things—not harm.
- Protect your personal data by not giving out your name, address, phone number, etc. – This information should only be given to people that you trust
Listen to the story “Want to hear a story”
‘Want to Hear a Story ’ by Roiratu Age 14: “…
“So I follow this girl on Instagram and she has a band fan account. Everyone in the band’s fandom knows her because of how much (sic) followers she has and all that. So one day she posted a photo of herself. Her caption was of how she is happy and comfortable in her own skin, and how she thinks she is beautiful. But there was this one Instagram account that kept telling her that she is ugly and not beautiful. She has very supportive followers so they kept telling her that none of what that person told her is true. So she believed them until that same person kept doing that. It started to actually make her believe that it’s true. I got really irritated and called out that person who was making her feel bad about herself. I wrote a long post saying how rude and mean it is to say those things about people and how no one should get treated like that. So the week later the person who was bullying the girl got reported and Instagram took their account down. So now she doesn’t have to deal with those types of people again. Sure, there might be some people like that who did the same thing to her but it’s not that bad. The girl who owns the fan account now has learned to ignore the haters.”
Discuss the story with your classroom teacher and peers to answer the following questions.
- Who had a responsibility to stand up and speak out?
- What choice did Roiratu make that showed personal responsibility?
- What choices could you make if you saw a hurtful post like Roiratu did?
- We can imaging that Roiratu likely has a gut feeling when she was reading the hurtful comments. What does it mean to have a gut feeling?
- What makes you stop listening to gut feelings and being responsible online?
- How can you overcome this feeling to ensure you take personal responsibility when online?
- List support services available to you and your families.
How does Balmain Campus handle cyberbullying issues?
It is important to note that the definition of bullying is an ongoing or repeated misuse of power in relationships, with the intention to cause deliberate psychological harm. Bullying behaviours can be verbal, physical or social. A one off or limited exchange that is nasty, or disliking someone, is not bullying, but it is wrong.
When a negative online exchange is brought to our attention, even though it has not necessarily occurred on school grounds or in school hours, if it involves two or more of our students we will investigate as it relates to our school. Once investigated, consequences could range from referral to the counsellor, peer mediation through to serious consequences such as suspension from school or report to police. Parents are informed at all times of any reports and investigation outcomes.
It is important to note that the definition of bullying is an ongoing or repeated misuse of power in relationships, with the intention to cause deliberate psychological harm. Bullying behaviours can be verbal, physical or social. A one off or limited exchange that is nasty, or disliking someone, is not bullying, but it is wrong.
When a negative online exchange is brought to our attention, even though it has not necessarily occurred on school grounds or in school hours, if it involves two or more of our students we will investigate as it relates to our school. Once investigated, consequences could range from referral to the counsellor, peer mediation through to serious consequences such as suspension from school or report to police. Parents are informed at all times of any reports and investigation outcomes.