Teens

Budde seconday start imageThe following page provides information and tips on using social networking sites safely, dealing with cyber bullying and online grooming and how to secure your mobile phone as well as links to other resources.

A fun way to explore issues of cyber security is through our Budd:e cyber security education module. It includes videos, quizzes and information on topics such as online scams, spyware, computer viruses, file sharing and more. You can access the Budd:e Secondary E-security Education Module here.

 

 

Top tips

  • Make sure your computer is secure—follow the advice in the Secure your computer section of this website.
  • Set strong passwords, particularly for important online accounts and change them regularly—consider making a diary entry to remind yourself.
  • Stop and think before you share any personal or financial information—about you, your friends or family. Don’t disclose identity information (drivers licence, Medicare No, birth date, address) through email or online unless you have initiated the contact and you know the other person involved.
  • Don't give your email address out without needing to. Think about why you are providing it, what the benefit is for you and whether it will mean you are sent emails you don’t want.
  • Be very suspicious of emails from people you don’t know, particularly if they promise you money, good health or a solution to all your problems. The same applies for websites. Remember, anything that looks too good to be true usually is.
  • Limit the amount and type of identity information you post on social networking sites. Don’t put sensitive, private or confidential information on your public profile.
  • When shopping online use a secure payment method such as PayPal, BPay, or your credit card. Avoid money transfers and direct debit, as these can be open to abuse. Never send your bank or credit card details via email.
  • When using a public computer, don’t submit or access any sensitive information online. Public computers may have a keystroke logger installed which can capture your password, credit card number and bank details.

On this page

  • Social networking safely
  • Dealing with cyber bullying
  • Dealing with online grooming
  • Secure your mobile phone

Fact sheets and resources


video placeholder 1Smart behaviours to protect your personal and financial information – watch our video on protecting your personal and financial information. A text transcript is also available.

nThe Cybersmart website is produced and hosted by The Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) and includes information, tips and resources specifically for teens.

nThe ThinkUKnow website provides information and resources to help educate and raise awareness amongst parents, carers and teachers about how to help children stay safe online.

Social networking safely

Some people use social networking sites to threaten, harrass or embarras others. Criminals are also using social networking sites to access personal information and steal identities. Criminals may also attempt to use personal information to facilitate other illegal activities in the real word.

To get the most out of social networking sites you have to submit personal information about yourself. But it is important to remember that social networking sites will often offer you options to control the type of information you share with other users and options to manage the people you want to interact with. It is important to be careful about what personal information you put online and who you accept as your ‘friend’.

Here are some steps to help protect you when using social network sites:

  • set your online profile to private and be discerning about who you accept as your ‘friend’
  • protect your accounts with strong passwords
  • have a different password for each social networking site so that if one password is stolen, not all of your accounts will be at risk
  • think before you post – expect that people other than your friends can see the information you post online
  • don’t post information that would make you or your family vulnerable – such as your date of birth, address, information about your daily routine, holiday plans, or your children’s schools
  • don’t post photos of you or your family and friends that may be inappropriate – or that your family and friends haven’t agreed to being posted
  • never click on suspicious links – even if they are from your friends – they may have inadvertently sent them to you
  • be wary of strangers – people are not always who they say they are. It’s a good idea to limit the number of people you accept as friends
  • always type your social networking website address into your browser or use a bookmark.

If you suspect any fraudulent use of your identity you should report it to your social networking service provider and your local police.

If you have been harassed or bullied on a social networking site, go to www.thinkuknow.org.au and www.cybersmart.gov.au for advice and tips.

If you are concerned about online behaviour that involves sexual exploitation or other criminal activity, you should report this to your local police, or phone CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.

If you come across content that you think may be prohibited under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, report it to the ACMA at www.acma.gov.au/hotline.

Dealing with cyber bullying

Like other forms of bullying such as verbal abuse, social exclusion and physical aggression, cyber bullying may result in the targeted person developing social, psychological and educational issues. While cyber bullying is similar to ‘real life’ bullying it also differs in some ways:

  • it can occur 24/7 and a child can be targeted at home
  • it can involve harmful material being widely and rapidly sent to a large audience, for example, rumours and images can be posted on public forums
  • it can provide the bully with a sense of relative anonymity and distance from the target, so there is a lack of immediate feedback or consequences.

Here are some basic steps to help deal with cyber bullying

  • Ignore it. Don’t respond to the bully. If they don’t get a response they may get bored and go away.
  • Block the person. This will stop you seeing messages or texts from a particular person.
  • Tell someone. Tell an adult you can trust. You may want to talk to your mum, dad or a brother or sister. Or you can contact the Cybersmart Online Helpline service, call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, visit the Kids Helpline website.
  • Keep the evidence. This can be useful in tracking the bully down. Save texts, emails, online conversations or voicemails as evidence.
  • Report it to:
    • your school—they should have policies in place about bullying and cyberbullying.
    • your ISP and/or phone provider, or the website administrator— there are actions they can take to help.
    • the police—if there is a threat to your safety the police will help. Call Triple Zero (000) or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
  • Further information about cyber bullying is available at the Cybersmart website

Dealing with online grooming

Online grooming is when an adult forms a relationship with a child or younger person with the intent of later having sexual contact or committing other crimes.

This can take place in chat rooms, instant messaging, social networking sites and email.

The Australian Federal Police works in partnership with ISPs in the battle against the sexual exploitation of children online and provides an online reporting form at the ThinkUKnow cyber safety website – www.thinkuknow.org.au

Report suspicious behaviour to your local police or Crime Stoppers by phoning 1800 333 000.

Secure your mobile phone

Top tips:

  • Turn on your security features. All phones have security settings so familiarise yourself with them and turn them on.
  • Set and maintain strong passwords. Many mobile phones allow users to set a password or Personal Identification Number (PIN) that must be entered to use the phone. Passwords and PINs make it more difficult for thieves to steal your personal information if your phone is lost or stolen. Put a PIN on your SIM card so that thieves cant steal your phone credit or run up your phone bill. Most mobile phones have an option to request a PIN each time you switch your phone on.
  • Note down the details of your phone in case of theft. Every phone has a unique International Mobile Equipment number (IEME). Most phones allow you to find out your own by keying in *#06#. Knowing this number will help your network provider to stop your phone being used if it is stolen.
  • Don’t save passwords or PINs as contacts on your phone. With all the PINs and passwords we have to remember, it is tempting to save them in your phone as fake contacts in case you forget them. Resist this temptation.
  • Turn Bluetooth off when not using it. Bluetooth lets you wirelessly connect to devices and transfer information over short distances. For Bluetooth to work, devices need to see each other and then connect. It is best to leave bluetooth off until you are using it or put your phone in undiscoverable mode (hidden) so that it is only visible when you specifically need other people or devices to see it. This means that hackers cannot see your mobile phone and they cannot connect to it unless they already have your Bluetooth address. When connecting using Bluetooth, do so in private, uncrowded areas only. 
  • Turn GPS off when not using it. While GPS can provide great benefits in finding out where you need to go, it can also be used by  others to see where you or your phone is located. Turn off GPS when not using it. 
  • Be smart with WiFi. When connecting to the internet using WiFi, try to use an encrypted network that requires a password. Read our tips for using public wireless networks.
  • Think before you click. Don't open multimedia messages (MMS) or attachments in emails, or click on links in emails and SMS messages unless you are expecting them and they are from a trusted source. They could contain malicious software or take you to a malicious website.
  • Check for updates to your phones operating system regularly. Install them as soon as they are available—these updates contain changes that will make your phone more secure.
  • Install security software from a reputable provider. Anti-virus and firewall software is available for some mobile phone operating systems. Check with your phone manufacturer for recommendations.
  • Be careful when downloading applications from the Web. Advanced  mobile phones can  have internet browsers that let you surf the web and download content to the phone. Do not download content such as applications from an unknown or unreliable source. They could contain malicious software. Use the application store or website of your mobile phone operating system or manufacturer to be safe.

For more go to the secure your mobile phone page