internet safety

Is the internet killing our ability to think?

On average web browsers spend less than 10 seconds looking at a page. There is a new body of scientific evidence emerging that shows the dangers of over exposure to the internet and ‘instant’ information, especially in adolescents. The attention span and ability to focus and concentrate seems to be diminished in those who spend [...]

Primary school students on Facebook leads to cyber abuse

Officially Facebook does not allow anyone under the age of 13 to have an account; however this does not seem to be stopping an increasing number of primary school students from joining the social networking site. The consequences of children who are too young to fully understand the implications of sharing information in cyber space [...]

Website carries ads selling sex

The online classified ads website Craigslist set up by American Mr. Craig Newmark, which has classified advertisements all around the world including Australia has been accused of posting ads that sell sex. The ‘adult services’ section on his website is used by many people who deal in human trafficking and pimps who place ads which [...]

Net Savvy: ThinkUKnow – internet safety for kids

ThinkUKnow ThinkUKnow is a website dedicated to protecting kids online. It shows you how to help kids stay safe and in control when using various forms of new media. It gives teachers, parents and carers the tools they need to keep children safe while still letting them enjoy using emerging technologies. The site has free [...]

Generation Next: Special Update

headspace is supporting this series of national seminars relating to the health and wellbeing of young people. The next Mental Health and Wellbeing of Young People 2010 Seminar will be held in Sydney on Friday September 10, 2010 WHAT: Topics this year include major and current issues Cyber-bullying Drugs and Alcohol Body Image & Eating [...]

The legend of Jessi Slaughter and the trollers

We read the story – about an 11 year old girl in the US, Jessi Slaughter, who received a tirade of threats after posting a video of herself on YouTube. We saw the pictures - the freeze frame of what looked like a traumatised child in her bedroom in floods of tears.   On the [...]

Warning: 'Sexting' is a criminal offence

7% of children have had pictures or video of themselves posted online without their permission The growing trend in sexting among young people is reaching new heights with cases in both SA and WA of children as young as 12 years old producing and distributing graphic images of other children. Yet more teenagers have been caught downloading [...]

New laws to counter Cyber Bullying

Victorian Government to introduce new anti-bullying laws 600 intervention court orders this year against children New laws to focus on mediation 10% of Australian teenagers are victims of cyber-bullying The changes come at a time when more children are taking out intervention orders against other children in an attempt to deal with the growing number [...]

Generation Next: Special Update

Generation Next presents Australia’s leading experts on children and teenagers in one event. Generation Next is an exciting new initiative featuring a national seminar series and supporting resources aimed at protecting and enhancing the wellbeing of our children and teenagers. Generation Next has been developed in close consultation with leading experts in adolescent psychology, drug [...]

The hidden face of cyberspace friendships

For some time now experts have been warning about the dangers of social network sites and how some teenagers are being manipulated into situations they cannot handle by the people they are chatting to. Studies show that teenagers are often happy to provide their personal information to complete strangers. Many adolescents feel in control of [...]

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