Part of parenting involves teaching kids respect for themselves and others. But how do we go about teaching respect online?
A new Australian Government website aims to give young people and adults all of the information that they need to learn how and why respecting and protecting online reputations is so important.
Keep It Tame is a one-stop website that covers information about how to respect online reputations online, what to do and where to go if your online reputation has been compromised, plus references to other agencies to help in cases like cyber bullying. From an opening page that poses a hypothetical scenario about sharing a compromising photo on social media, the site uses a quiz-based format to prompt kids to think about their online behavior.
What’s impressive about the website is the way that it poses real-life situations that aren’t painted black and white, or dumbed down for kids. Through video clips we see the implications of what happens when an embarrassing photo is shared online – from the comments and the distress – and gives kids step-by-step guidance on what the next steps should be from both sides of the conflict.
The website, which was put together by the Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, aims to ensure that young people can express themselves and gain all of the benefits of new technology, while maintaining respect for themselves and others online in the same ways they would offline.
Program leader from the Young and Well CRC Research, Dr Philippa Collin says, "Many people unfortunately experience hurtful behaviour online at some stage, and it's crucial that this generation of Australians doesn't grow up thinking this is the natural way to communicate online, because it isn't.
"The reality is there are lots of young people who don't think it's okay to make fun, tease or bully someone online and this campaign is all about empowering young people to take advantage of the tools and techniques that are already available to them to take control of ugly situations and use mobile phones, computers and tablets positively to interact with each other."
Have you talked to your kids about protecting and respecting online reputations?
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