Tougher laws for image-based abuseYou might know it as ‘revenge porn’. We prefer to call it image-based abuse. Sadly, one in ten Australians have had an intimate image of themselves shared online without their consent. There are many ways people can find themselves the victims of image-based abuse and we are all having to adapt quickly to deal with this very modern problem. New laws mean that those who share, or threaten to share, intimate images of Australians without their consent may now face civil and criminal penalties. Learn more about this widespread issue and get help if you are experiencing image-based abuse. Everyone is getting online this month!Does someone you know need help getting online, using devices or social media? The eSafety with Be Connected webinars cater to all experience levels and cover topics such as scams online, staying safe on Facebook and online shopping during the Christmas period. Next week is also Get Online Week which will see our partners Good Things Foundation hosting the Be Connected webinars and other digital skills workshops around the country. Get inspired with this year’s theme, #try1thing new online and view this map to find an event in your area. Putting safety at the forefrontWe are consulting with industry, young people and parents to develop a new set of eSafety guidelines for tech companies large and small. These will help guide and encourage tech companies and developers to create safer, more positive online platforms, before they are put to market. Read more to see why Commissioner Julie Inman Grant views safety by design as a ‘blueprint’ for the future. Tech and tots—parents are the frontline of defenceBeing aware of the many different games, apps and social media sites kids are using or being exposed to, can feel like an uphill battle for parents and carers. We produce a range of resources to help adults not only guide children, but also educate themselves about online safety. Not sure where to start? Check out this blog for tips on selecting age-appropriate content, setting limits on device usage and how to help children be safe online—without scaring them unnecessarily. Teaching digital and social health just got easierOur new digital and social health program The YeS Project, is available to download. The online safety education package encourages young people to engage with each other about their digital practices and facilitates positive, long-term behavioural change. The first of its kind in Australia, The YeS Project is an essential resource for teachers tackling important topics like cyberbullying and image-based abuse in the classroom. New online training helps victims of family and domestic violenceDigital devices keep us connected and in touch. Unfortunately these devices can also become instruments of abuse. A 2015 survey of domestic violence frontline workers found technology was used to abuse, control or stalk women in 98% of domestic violence cases. To support frontline workers assisting women suffering technology-facilitated abuse, we have delivered in-depth training to more than 5700 support professionals around the country. We are now also offering online training to frontline workers which can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Learn more about this insidious problem in the Commissioner’s latest blog. LIKE app lets users stream their own music videosLIKE is a social-video networking app that allows users to make their own videos using a suite of effects, stickers and music. While rated for 16 to 17 years and above, it is most popular with children and young teenagers. Concerns have been raised about strangers being able to chat with users while they are streaming their videos. Some parents are choosing to mitigate potential risks by actively managing their child’s account. Read our latest advice on how to protect your information and other useful tips about LIKE. National Child Protection WeekLast month we supported National Child Protection Week. We ran virtual classrooms which engaged over 38,000 students and a series of blogs and video messages highlighting the work of the eSafety Office’s Cyberreport team. Learn why having a strong community is so vital to keeping kids safe online. Netsafe Online Safety Conference this weekThe eSafety Office is across the pond this week, co-hosting the second Netsafe online safety conference in Auckland. This year’s theme ‘The Crossroads’, illustrates the way online safety intersects and interacts with every aspect of our lives. Join the discussion online with the hashtag #SafeOnline18 or stream the keynotes via social media. Stay Smart Online Week: 15-21 October 2018Stay Smart Online Week is a government initiative to raise awareness about cybercrime and empower individuals, businesses and the community to protect themselves online. Get involved to learn about current threats, how to keep your assets and information safe and what actions to take when something goes wrong. Safer Internet Day 2019 - Together for a better internetSafer Internet Day (SID) will be held on Tuesday, 5 February 2019 and is set to captivate the world once again. This year was such a roaring success, and we have all of you to thank! Please show your support again in 2019 by registering below and using the hashtags: #SID2019 and #SaferInternetDay. Useful links...Support Day for Daniel on 26 October 2018. Register your school, business or private event to take part in Australia's largest child safety awareness day. eSafety'siParent portal has a range of resources to help parents and caregivers understand the online environment and keep their children safe. Cyberbullying a concern? Our Office provides advice and strategies to help you deal with these types of issues. |