Teachers given lesson in cyber bullying

ACMA launches new course for teachers on protecting students from online dangers

Students are not the only ones in need of education when it comes to online security, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

The agency has launched a new online professional development program, Connect.ed, to help bring teachers up to speed on measures to protect students from potential online dangers.

According to ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman, the course is designed to complement and enhance the ACMA’s existing suite of Cybersmart programs and will address issues such as cyber bullying, sexting, excessive internet and mobile phone use, e-security, and managing digital reputation and digital profiling.

“Through the online world, young people have access to an extraordinary amount of information and images, yet many do not have the guidance and direction required to satisfactorily and responsibly manage their online experiences,” Chapman said.

“While children seem to embrace every new development in communications, the reality is that both teachers and parents find it challenging to keep up with modern technology. Connect.ed is designed to help them meet that challenge.”

The resource has been launched in Adelaide by Senator Wortley, Chair of the Federal Parliament’s Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety.

A video of the new teaching resource is available on the cybersmart.gov.au site.

Follow Tim Lohman on Twitter: @Tlohman

Follow Computerworld Australia on Twitter: @ComputerworldAU

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Comments

1

Catherine

Mon 16/05/2011 - 18:47

Viewing inappropriate material is a massive risk to kids. The implications of what our kids have the potential to witness online is staggering. You can find anything on the Internet if you do not have filtering software, your kids can have access to it all. What is going to become of the next generation? How is the violence that they witness online, real videos of real violence going to effect their empathy and desensitise thei compassion for human life? This s a real risk to the future mental safety of our children.

2

HUH

Tue 17/05/2011 - 00:44

The filtering should start and finish with the parental control of what is being done on that households PC, dont blame luddite or lazy parents for your precieved shortcomings.

Oh and the "THINK OF THE CHILDREN" line is now so cliche it is instant eyeball junk filter.

3

Chris

Tue 17/05/2011 - 02:55

I wish it were as simple as parental controls on household PCs. However, children access the internet by an array of sources, the most common is the mobile phone, but a close second is gaming devices like XBox.

While I agree that parental control is vital, it can't be the sole option.

And, it isn't a matter simply of trusting the children, there are many things that happens TO a person, not necessarily initiated by them.

In any event, the information on the linked site has been helpful and I, for one, look forward to digging into it more.

I appreciate "ComputerWorld" for bring to my attention the site.

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