A short interactive workshop aimed at raising awareness of the risks

Navigating online safety risks
Developed by the Inspire Foundation 2007
Outline
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What young people are doing online
Introduction to social networking sites
Str8Up - Online Safety Project
Key risks
Strategies to reduce risks
Discussion / Q+A
Inspire Foundation Overview
GOAL: To improve mental health and wellbeing of young people globally
MISSION: Combine the innovative use of technology with the direct involvement of young
people to create opportunities for millions of young people to change their world
Objective 1
Provide information and
support to young people
going through tough times
Objective 2
Enable young people to
take action on social
issues that affect them
and their community
Objective 3
Work in partnership
with youth centres
around Australia to
promote social
connectedness through
technology among
young people
experiencing or at risk
of marginalisation
What young people do online
Key internet uses:
• Socialising (chat/IM, email, social networking sites)
• Creative expression (blogs, flickr, youtube etc)
• Information seeking
• Gaming
• Shopping (online auctions, classifieds, commerce)
‘I like myspace because I'm a very creative person. With myspace and
stuff you can use it to meet people, but it's your page and no one can tell
you what to do with it. If you’re having a rough day you can just go on the
computer and relax and talk to friends’ - Suzi, 16
Introduction to social networking sites
‘A social network service focuses on the building and verifying of online social
networks for communities of people who share interests and activities, or who are
interested in exploring the interests and activities of others’
Common features
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User generated profiles
Chat and/or messaging functionality
Capacity to upload/embed + share media - videos, photos, music
Blog functionality
Discussion forums and/or member groups
Content linked using ‘tag based folksonomies’
Popular social networking sites: MySpace, Facebook, Bebo, Hi5 our research found cultural + gender differences re: different sites
MySpace
Overview
o Launched in 2003 in the U.S.
o Over 200 million accounts (as at Sep 07) + 230,000 new accounts
per day
Features
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Customisable Profiles for individuals, groups, artists
Bulletin boards
Groups
Music + events
MySpace IM / TV / Mobile / News / Classifieds
Bebo
Overview
o Launched in 2005
o 3rd most popular site but only has 1.18% market share
Features
o Allows members to communicate, post pictures, write blogs + send
messages to each other
o Customisable profile using Bebo Skins
o Bands
o Authors
o Groups
o Mobile
o Darwin (reality TV for the web)
o Open Social + integration with other social networks (AIM, Skype, MSN)
Facebook
Overview
o Launched in 2004 - membership initially restricted to students
o Enables communication + info/media sharing
o 49 000 000 active users + 200,000 new users/day (Oct 2007)
Features
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Profiles
Applications
Events
Marketplace
Causes
Habbo Hotel
Overview
o Combines chat room concept and online game
o Revised version launched in Finland in 2000
Features
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Habbo home - user’s own webpage
Public rooms + guest rooms
Games
Groups
Str8Up Online Safety Project
Overview
o Workshops implemented in Beanbag centres around Australia
o Adopts a harm reduction, peer-education approach
o Developed with input from young people and youth workers
Objectives
o Increase participant’s knowledge of strategies to reduce human and
technological risks associated with using the internet
o Promote awareness of personal and technological risks associated with
using the internet
o Increase awareness of online safety and support resources
Key Topics: negotiating relationships, tech risks, privacy, security
Brainstorm
What do you think are the key
online safety risks relevant to young people?
How risky is risky?
Key risks
Based on Str8Up sessions + other safety projects:
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Cyber stalking / privacy of personal information
Online ‘predators’
Cyber bullying / harassment
Profile hacking / account hijacking
Viruses + spy ware
Copyright infringement
Fees / costs (e.g. exceeding download quota)
Getting ripped off
Spam and phishing scams
Risk reduction strategies
Be selective about what personal information you publish
o Choose an online name that is non-gendered + anonymous
o Adjust your profile privacy settings to ‘friends only’
o Never post your full name, contact details (inc. email and MSN/IM), location or
other content (photos, videos) that might identify where you live, work, hang out
or go to school/uni. – Group photos are safer than individual photos.
o Would you be OK with anyone seeing it? What about in 5 years?
If you decide to meet somebody offline:
o Gather as much information about them beforehand (webcam, skype)
o Tell somebody you trust (preferably a parent/guardian, youth worker or older
family member) about your plans
o Think through your meeting beforehand and be sure to clarify your expectations.
Be aware of your boundaries and consider ‘exit strategies’
o Always meet somewhere public and preferably don’t go alone
o Get a friend/family member to call you during the meeting to check in that
everything is OK
Risk reduction strategies
Keeping your account / profile safe
o Use a tough password (minimum 8 characters and use a mix of upper and
lower case, numbers and letters)
o Be sure to log out completely – be sure not to tick the ‘remember my details’
or ‘keep me logged in’ option on shared computers
o Never share your password with anybody
o Be careful when adding ‘code’ or decorating your profile with existing
templates/editors (never enter your username and password to external
editor websites)
Risk reduction strategies
Cyber bullying / harassment
o Set your profile to require comments approval for all content
o Set your profile/IM account to block messages from contacts not on your list
o Alphabetise your ‘top friends’
o Think twice about posting information about other people – would you be
OK with someone posting the same about you? Would they be OK with you
posting it? If you don’t know ask ☺
o If someone posts something about you that’s upsetting – ask them to
remove it. If they refuse, tell somebody you trust, contact the webmaster
and/or authorities
o Block users who send harassing messages/comments
o Keep a record of any harassment (save chat function, emails, messages
etc)
Risk reduction strategies
Preventing viruses
o Look out for signs: slow computer, unexpected crashes, weird error msg’s
o Install + keep up to date anti virus and spy – ware software
o When downloading files check the extension matches the file type
o Back up important files regularly
o Run a fire wall
o Install pop-up blockers (for example the google toolbar)
o Keep your Operating System (Windows / OSX) updated regularly
o Only accept files/attachments from people you know
Preventing spy ware
o Look out for signs (same as viruses + pop up ads)
o Tighten your web browser’s security settings
o Read the agreement when downloading software/games/etc!
o Never click ‘OK’ to close a pop up window – always use the ‘x’or Alt + F4
Risk reduction strategies
Dealing with Spam
o Use a spam filter
o Change the spam settings on your account to control who you allow to
receive email from
o Report it – to your email host or to the Australian Communications & Media
Authority
o Create two email accounts – 1 for everyday net stuff (e.g. singing up to
social networking sites) + the other for communicating with people
Be on the look out for Phishing scams
o If you get a phishing email - do not click on the links
o If you’re unsure if it’s the real deal, open a new window and type the URL of
the site and check your account manually – never confirm your account
details by responding to a message
o Report it! Either to ACMA, scamwatch, or the real webmaster
Risk reduction strategies
Avoiding getting ripped off online
o Buy only from trusted sources (if eBay – check the seller rating)
o Ensure the site uses a secure connection (https://....)
o Don’t make transactions over wireless networks
o Read the fine print
o Check for extra costs – shipping, customs/import taxes etc
o Keep records/receipts
o Monitor your bank/credit card statements
If you do get ripped off:
o Report it (either to the webmaster or Australia High Tech Crimes Centre)
o Leave a negative feedback rating (on eBay)
o Collect as much information as you can about the transaction
Info + referral
ReachOut!
www.reachout.com.au
Net Alert:
www.netalert.gov.au / 1800 880 176
Wise Up to IT:
www.wiseuptoit.com.au
ACMA:
www.acma.gov.au
Bullying No Way:
www.bullyingnoway.com.au
Fed Privacy Commissioner:
www.privacy.gov.au / 1300 363 992
Scam Watch:
www.scamwatch.gov.au / 1300 795 995
IIASP
www.secutiry.iia.net.au
Crime Stoppers:
1800 333 000
Australian Centre for High Tech Crime:
www.ahtcc.gov.au
OCSET Online child sex exploitation team:
(07) 5553 8717
ACCC
www.accc.gov.au / 1300 302 6230
Federal Police:
www.afp.gov.au
Q + A / Discussion