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In this digital age, designing and implementing a sound approach for teaching cybersmart education in both schools and the home is vital to the process of developing digital literate students, parents and educators.
As the use of digital devices expose students to the inherent risks of the real and online worlds, schools, in developing their cybersmart education approach, schools must seek to ensure that all students, parents and staff are supported and empowered with the knowledge, skills and abilities to be able to manage challenges when they arise.
To make impacted positive change, such approaches must be:
As the use of digital devices expose students to the inherent risks of the real and online worlds, schools, in developing their cybersmart education approach, schools must seek to ensure that all students, parents and staff are supported and empowered with the knowledge, skills and abilities to be able to manage challenges when they arise.
To make impacted positive change, such approaches must be:
- aimed at students, parents and educators alike
- based on issues students, parents and educators may encounter, relating to their friends, school work and personal lives
- enable all parties to learn how to have fun online, stay in control, protect themselves whenever and wherever they go online, and know how to react responsibly to or report a problem(s) should a situation arise.
Designing & Implementing A Cybersmart Education Program
Designing & Implementing A Cybersmart Education Program
Cybersmart education can be divided into the following categories:
Schools must use these categories when considering how cybersmart education will be integrated into the curriculum across the whole school and within each year/grade level.
For a cybersmart education programme to be sound, it must enable staff and parents to be:
Empowering staff with the necessary knowledge to be able to confidently create and teach a sound and differentiated cybersmart education plan can often be daunting, time consuming and often requires an educator with a very strong background in ICT. Therefore, to save schools and educators the time and money normally spent attending professional development, researching and choosing from the myriad of cybersmart resources (which are spread across hundreds of different websites and pages), the following resources have been analysed, created and reviewed to assist schools in exploring, using and deciding upon the programs and resources that are available for students, staff and parents.
A Step-By-Step Process
There are a number of steps involved in developing a cybersmart education plan, including (click on the hyperlinks below to download ready-made documentation):
- Digital Media Literacy: Understanding the various aspects and nuances of digital media so that users become literate in analysing, understanding and using digital media.
- Digital Citizenship: Once people understand/are literate in digital media, the focus must shift to the learning and practicing of positive online and offline behaviours (social literacy) so that users can be a positive and successful digital citizen. Being a citizen in the 21st century means users need to be able to communicate and collaborate online effectively and responsibly. Teachers and parents need to be positively engaged with students in their use of digital technologies, support their good choices and if they stray, make sure those moments are turned into teachable moments.
- Cyber Safety: Keeping and feeling safe, both on and offline.
- E-security: Securing digital devices and the data/information they contain with
- strong passwords
- anti-virus software
- anti malware/spyware software
- firewalls.
Schools must use these categories when considering how cybersmart education will be integrated into the curriculum across the whole school and within each year/grade level.
For a cybersmart education programme to be sound, it must enable staff and parents to be:
- knowledgeable about the technology that young people are using to enable them to discuss the way in which it is used, and the challenges experienced
- aware of opportunities presented by technology in terms of its use in education, but also its use in other aspect of society including its social application.
- aware and understanding of challenges that exist around the use of digital technology 1.
Empowering staff with the necessary knowledge to be able to confidently create and teach a sound and differentiated cybersmart education plan can often be daunting, time consuming and often requires an educator with a very strong background in ICT. Therefore, to save schools and educators the time and money normally spent attending professional development, researching and choosing from the myriad of cybersmart resources (which are spread across hundreds of different websites and pages), the following resources have been analysed, created and reviewed to assist schools in exploring, using and deciding upon the programs and resources that are available for students, staff and parents.
A Step-By-Step Process
There are a number of steps involved in developing a cybersmart education plan, including (click on the hyperlinks below to download ready-made documentation):
- Gathering existing school policies relating to the safe and responsible use of ICT, ready to be used and compared to the policies contained throughout the following steps.
- Becoming informed about what students are doing online (i.e. via student surveys) by consulting (i) students, (ii) parents and (iii) staff to identify key cybersmart education issues. This information may (i) allow for targeted teaching to meet student. staff and parent needs and (ii) inform staff as to current trends in the use of ICT and Web 2.0.
- Including all staff in the joint development a comprehensive and differentiated cybersmart education planning programme to teach cybersmart education to students, teachers and parents, that incorporates world-wide best practices and resources (see 'A Differentiated Curriculum Programme' below) with the aim of creating a culture of smart, safe and responsible use of digital technologies. NOTE: Parent cybersmart education programs should be planned to run parallel to ongoing student learning in the classroom. Schools may find the Educate Families: A Home-to-School Program by Common Sense Media rather useful when planning their parent program.
- Possibly develop a cyber-mentoring program.
- Gauging staff understanding and confidence of the planned differentiated cybersmart education program.
- Developing and reviewing a Cybersmart Education Policy.
- Developing/reviewing and ratifying Digital Technologies Acceptable Use Contracts for Students that incorporate the four areas of cybersmart education and has provisions for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs and mobile phones.
- Developing/reviewing and ratifying Digital Technologies Acceptable Use Contracts for Staff that (a) incorporates the four areas of cybersmart education, (b) gauges staff ability and confidence to support young people in the challenges they experience using these digital technologies, (c) has provisions for Bring Your Own Device (B.Y.O.D.) programs, (d) has provisions for mobile phone use by staff and (e) caters for the temporary access of “guests” (e.g. trainee teachers, supply teachers, visitors) onto the school systems as well as family members of staff who may be allowed on school devices that may be used out of school.
- Developing/reviewing and ratifying Media Release Consent/Permission to Publish Forms that reflect the changing nature of the online use of student data and images in rapidly changing technological world.
- Developing a Mobile Phone Policy and Permission Form (1 | 2) for students that runs alongside an existing Digital Technologies Acceptable Use Contracts for Students.
- Developing a School Personal Data Handling Policy.
- Developing a School Technical Security Policy.
- Developing a School Electronic Devices - Search and Deletion Policy.
- Developing a Responding to Incidents of Misuse Flowchart and Records of Reviewing Sites documents.
- Developing a School Reporting Incidents Log.
- Developing a School Cybersmart Education Group's Terms of Reference document.
- Developing/reviewing and ratifying Copyright policies which are inclusive of lessons and activities to teach staff, students and parents about respecting Copyright, Creative Commons and the Public Domain.
- Subscribing to cyber security emails from Stay Smart Online.
- Developing and reviewing a Bullying Prevention Policy.
- Assess the strength of all of the above policies by comparing them to local, national and global schools and other leading authorities (such as the SWGfL Template Policies and NetSafe NZ's The Kit).
- Using the newly made/updated cybersmart policies, discuss any prior occurrences/incidents of non-cybersmart behaviour(s) that have occurred at your school (as well as other schools if known), and determine how the new policies would lead to that/those incidents being addressed.
- Setting dates to track the implementation of cybersmart education plans/initiatives by staff.
- Checking your state/county or country's cybersmart education programs that can be used to assess, monitor and rate a school's cybersmart abilities to the school community (e.g. Australia - eSmart Schools, UK - TGfL 360 Tool).
- Promoting cybersmart education around the school, home and community.
- Annually reviewing these documents and policies (as technologies and the use of these technologies rapidly evolve). Tools such as SWGfL's Self Review Pro may assist schools in this process.
Creating A Differentiated Curriculum Programme
It is essential that that a cyber smart curriculum is designed to teach staff, students and parents and that it is differentiated as such. Use the following sample of a cybersmart education planning document and browse the multi-modal content below (or use the following quicklinks) to help create/update your cybersmart planning documents:
- Online Interactive Objects
- Cybersmart Videos
- Downloadable Programs/Posters/Brochures/Booklets
- Downloadable Units and Lessons
- Cyber-mentoring Program 1: VCAL & Digital Citizenship: Developing Partnerships Between Secondary & Primary Schools
- Cyber-mentoring Program 2: Student-to-student in school cyber-mentoring programs
- eSecurity - Setting Up Filters & Restrictions in Schools & Homes
- Professional Development Providers
- Additional Resources.
Online Interactive Objects
There are a number of free, highly engaging and educational online resources based around the presentation of information via animated or real-life videos and/or interactive activities.
The online resources reviewed below are suitable for use by students at both school and in the home. Some have even been designed for students to work on with their parent(s)/guardian(s), enabling them to forge the much needed student-parent cybersmart education relationship; opening up the vital communication channels needed to assist students cope in this digital age.
Most of the following interactive activities can be used at school by students in both Literacy and ICT classes, working alone, in small groups or in teacher-led whole class activity (e.g. via a data projector or interactive whiteboard).
To enable educators to provide students with interactive activities that address each of the cybersmart education areas, each of the interactive objects reviewed below have been clearly denoted in bold as to what cybersmart education area(s) are addressed (e.g. digital media literacy, cybersafety, digital citizenship, eSecurity, cybersmart - all).
Navigate through the age-appropriate sections below to find the resources to meet your needs:
The online resources reviewed below are suitable for use by students at both school and in the home. Some have even been designed for students to work on with their parent(s)/guardian(s), enabling them to forge the much needed student-parent cybersmart education relationship; opening up the vital communication channels needed to assist students cope in this digital age.
Most of the following interactive activities can be used at school by students in both Literacy and ICT classes, working alone, in small groups or in teacher-led whole class activity (e.g. via a data projector or interactive whiteboard).
To enable educators to provide students with interactive activities that address each of the cybersmart education areas, each of the interactive objects reviewed below have been clearly denoted in bold as to what cybersmart education area(s) are addressed (e.g. digital media literacy, cybersafety, digital citizenship, eSecurity, cybersmart - all).
Navigate through the age-appropriate sections below to find the resources to meet your needs:
Lower-Primary/Elementary
Browse the interactive objects below or choose from the following links:
- Child-Friendly & Safe Internet Search Engines
- Dongle's S.M.A.R.T Cyber Safety Rules (United Kingdom)
- Zippep's Astro Circus (Australia)
- Router's Birthday Surprise Interactive Adventure (USA)
- NetSmartz eBooks (USA)
- Comic Book Capers (Australia)
- Privacy Pirates (Canada)
- How Cybersmart Are You? (Australia)
- Interactive Board Games (USA).
Child-Friendly & Safe Internet Search Engines
KidRex
KidRex is a cute and simple search engine for kids that contains no advertising or pop-ups. It uses:
Searches for inappropriate content are met with the an 'Oops! Try Again!' annotation.
- Google's Custom Search™ to emphasize child-related webpages, returning text-based searches alongside related images\icons
- Google's SafeSearch™ to screen for sites that contain explicit sexual content and deletes them from the search results
- Google's filters to check keywords, phrases, and URLs
- KidRex's own database of inappropriate websites and keywords.
Searches for inappropriate content are met with the an 'Oops! Try Again!' annotation.
Dongle's S.M.A.R.T Cyber Safety Rules
Dongle's SMART Cyber Safety Rules (created by the BBC) is a free interactive resource based around the character Dongle who guides young children through learning/reinforcing the cybersafety S.M.A.R.T rules:
Once children have used the interactive resource then discuss the following SMART presentation and the supporting script in a whole class lesson.
- Safe - Don't give out personal information
- Meeting up with a webpal can be dangerous
- Accepting emails can be dangerous
- Reliable? - Someone online may not be who they say they are
- Tell a parent a carer if something makes you feel unsafe or worried.
Once children have used the interactive resource then discuss the following SMART presentation and the supporting script in a whole class lesson.
Zippep's Astro Circus
Zippep's Astro Circus (created by ACMA) is a free interactive resource to teach children about cybersafety. The learning areas covered include digital citizenship (aiming for positive online experiences) and cyber safety (learning about age appropriate websites, cyberbullying,
protecting personal information, secure passwords, talking with trusted adults). These topics are introduced via the five T.H.I.N.K strategy games:
Watch the video below for a preview:
protecting personal information, secure passwords, talking with trusted adults). These topics are introduced via the five T.H.I.N.K strategy games:
- Tell someone
- Hide your password
- Interesting websites
- Name calling is mean
- Keep it safe
Watch the video below for a preview:
This resource is unique as the online version requires separate student and parent logins and avatars. The parent login also asks for parents to nominate up to four other children that their child can share their password with (called "a trust club"). If users need help they are allowed to ask someone from their trust club. As children progress through the game earn prizes (such as printable character masks) which they can collect by visiting the circus' big top.
Zippep's Astro Circus is available across a series of platforms including PC/Mac (online | offline PC/Mac), iOS (iPad | iPhone) and Android (tablet | phone)
Lesson plans and resources that support Zippep's Astro Circus can be accessed from here.
Zippep's Astro Circus is available across a series of platforms including PC/Mac (online | offline PC/Mac), iOS (iPad | iPhone) and Android (tablet | phone)
Lesson plans and resources that support Zippep's Astro Circus can be accessed from here.
Router's Birthday Surprise Interactive Adventure
Router's Birthday Surprise Interactive Adventure (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) is a part video, part video game, designed to teach young students about cybersmart education.
Students simply nominate a username and if that username is already in use must select another one. As depicted in the images below, students undertake the missions to earn rewards (e.g. safety badges) when can be saved, storage and printed. Students choose an adventure/mission from the map, watch a video and then play a game to reinforce/test the learning contained within each video.
The missions include:
Students simply nominate a username and if that username is already in use must select another one. As depicted in the images below, students undertake the missions to earn rewards (e.g. safety badges) when can be saved, storage and printed. Students choose an adventure/mission from the map, watch a video and then play a game to reinforce/test the learning contained within each video.
The missions include:
- Make A Match: A picture memory game with characters from the adventure
- What Rule is it Anyway: Learn four cybersafety rules and then answer a multi-choice test
- Get Clicky To Webville: A game to get Clicky to Webville
- Outlaw Roundup: Decide which fictional Webville Outlaw is responsible for each online crime
- NetSmartz Sing-A-Song: Learn four rules of real-world safety and complete the correct lyrics
- Who Can You Trust?: Define a trusted adult and answer yes/no questions about what a trusted adult would do
- Router's Gift Gag: Choose a gift for Router (a character).
NetSmartz eBooks
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Boys & Girls Clubs of America have created three free online eBooks on cybersmart education.
Readers can select 'Read It Myself' or 'Read It To Me'. Educators can download PDF versions of each eBook as well as discussions guides for each title.
The three titles available are:
Click here to access the NetSmartz eBooks.
Readers can select 'Read It Myself' or 'Read It To Me'. Educators can download PDF versions of each eBook as well as discussions guides for each title.
The three titles available are:
- Webster's Gecko Goof - Learning about the need to use credible sources when researching on the internet (Digital Media Literacy)
- The Princess's Password - Learning how to create and protect passwords (eSecurity)
- Delivery For Webster - Learning how to act when pop-ups appear (eSecurity).
Click here to access the NetSmartz eBooks.
Comic Book Capers
Comic Book Capers (created by ACMA) is a free interactive resource aimed at allowing young children to practice how to guide and protect various members of a cartoon family to be cybersmart whilst using different digital devices around the house.
Privacy Pirates
Privacy Pirates (created by MediaSmarts) is a free, simple interactive quiz regarding cybersafety.
Users are given some advice by various pirates and then are asked a question to test their understanding of what they have read and must click on one of the given multiple choice answers. Feedback on whether users have selected a correct or incorrect answer and why is also given.
The questions poses address the following topics:
A teacher/parent guide that also includes ideas for extension activities is available here.
Users are given some advice by various pirates and then are asked a question to test their understanding of what they have read and must click on one of the given multiple choice answers. Feedback on whether users have selected a correct or incorrect answer and why is also given.
The questions poses address the following topics:
- Posting personal identification, photos and videos
- Data mining
- Digital footprints
- Privacy policies
- Passwords
- Addresses
- Sharing data
- Asking for parental consent.
A teacher/parent guide that also includes ideas for extension activities is available here.
How Cybersmart Are You?
How Cybersmart Are You? (created by ACMA) is a free, eleven-question interactive cybersafety and digital citizenship quiz.
Users complete a series of activities including deleting or keeping emails or text messages, opening or closing pop-ups, and are quizzed on protecting personal details, digital citizenship, joining online services, reacting to inappropriate content, keeping passwords safe.
Users complete a series of activities including deleting or keeping emails or text messages, opening or closing pop-ups, and are quizzed on protecting personal details, digital citizenship, joining online services, reacting to inappropriate content, keeping passwords safe.
Interactive Board Games
The US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children have created a series of interactive board games to teach/reinforce a variety of cybersmart education key ideas. Each board game focuses on a specific learning cybersmart education area.
Each of the one-player board games focuses on players travelling around each digital world to land on spaces that contain collectable pieces (which then activates a pop up window to teach players cybersmart tips).
The following board games are available:
Each of the one-player board games focuses on players travelling around each digital world to land on spaces that contain collectable pieces (which then activates a pop up window to teach players cybersmart tips).
The following board games are available:
- The Internet Safety Game (Cyber Safety)
- The Password Rap Game (Digital Media Literacy & Cyber Safety)
- Don't Open That File! A Computer Virus Game (eSecurity).
Middle-Primary
Use the following links or browse below to find the appropriate solutions:
- Child-Friendly & Safe Internet Search Engines
- Carnegie Cadets (Australia)
- Digital Passport (Canada)
- Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying Module (USA)
- Grow An Online Reputation (Australia)
- Betty's Netiquette Quiz (Australia)
- Alan's Online Gaming Challenge (Australia)
- Budd:e Primary (Australia)
- Cyberspace Access (Australia)
- Friend Finder (USA)
- Privacy Playground (Canada)
- CyberSense and Nonsense (Canada)
- Dana's Cyber Villain Report (Australia)
- Erika's Cyber Security Crossword (Australia)
- Cyber Cafe (United Kingdom)
- Stuart & Scout (USA)
- Star Riders (United Kingdom).
Child-Friendly & Safe Internet Search Engines
KidRex
KidRex is a cute and simple search engine for kids that contains no advertising or pop-ups. It uses:
Searches for inappropriate content are met with the an 'Oops! Try Again!' annotation.
- Google's Custom Search™ to emphasize child-related webpages, returning text-based searches alongside related images\icons
- Google's SafeSearch™ to screen for sites that contain explicit sexual content and deletes them from the search results
- Google's filters to check keywords, phrases, and URLs
- KidRex's own database of inappropriate websites and keywords.
Searches for inappropriate content are met with the an 'Oops! Try Again!' annotation.
GoGooligans
GoGooligans is a child-friendly search engine aimed at middle-upper primary school students powered by Google Custom Search™.
It provides four clickable options:
Searches for inappropriate content are blocked and users are presented with a wordy pop-up explaining as to why their search was blocked.
It provides four clickable options:
- Kids Safe Search.
- Kid Related Content.
- Most Current.
- Find Definitions.
Searches for inappropriate content are blocked and users are presented with a wordy pop-up explaining as to why their search was blocked.
Carnegie Cadets
Carnegie Cadets (created by Carnegie Mellon University) is a cybersmart education platform wherein students undertake missions that teach them skills such as how to (i) spot spam, (ii) keep personal information private, and (iii) identify website traps, such as dangerous pop-up windows, forms that ask for personal information, and webpages that show inappropriate content.
As students complete the missions they learn how to become safe, educated cybercitizens before entering the internet on their own. As they progress through the learning areas, players can earn badges, academy credits and unlock requests and items.
Teachers can access free online lessons and extension activities, download a Teacher's Companion Guide, an introduction to the game and a walk-through (to help students if they get stuck).
Watch the video below to see Carnegie Cadets in action and then read the installation instructions below:
As students complete the missions they learn how to become safe, educated cybercitizens before entering the internet on their own. As they progress through the learning areas, players can earn badges, academy credits and unlock requests and items.
Teachers can access free online lessons and extension activities, download a Teacher's Companion Guide, an introduction to the game and a walk-through (to help students if they get stuck).
Watch the video below to see Carnegie Cadets in action and then read the installation instructions below:
Unlike the other free interactive objects reviewed above and below, Carnegie Cadets is a free downloadable game for PC & Mac. Players must register, download and then install the game. Once installed users must log in (students will need to register as an individual here or a group here) as their progress is tracked during the game.
Digital Passport
Digital Passport (created by Common Sense Media) is a free interactive digital citizenship tool where users progress through a series of modules to learn how to be good digital citizens (and earn badges).
The modules can be accessed via PC (Win/Mac/Linux), apps designed for Android or iOS devices, or even as an Edmodo app.
There are five modules:
Educators can register for an account to access a teacher dashboard to create groups, add students, and customize activities. Students can then log on, complete set or open tasks, and their progress can be tracked. Note: The teacher dashboard cannot be accessed via the Android and iOS apps.
To help educators set up Digital Passport for their students:
The modules can be accessed via PC (Win/Mac/Linux), apps designed for Android or iOS devices, or even as an Edmodo app.
There are five modules:
- Communication: Twalkers - Mobile phones and multi-tasking.
- Privacy: Share Jumper - Learning about appropriate and inappropriate online messages.
- Cyberbullying: E-volve - Learning how to make positive choices.
- Search: Search Shark - Effective online search education.
- Creative Credit: Mix-n-Mash - Citing online sources.
Educators can register for an account to access a teacher dashboard to create groups, add students, and customize activities. Students can then log on, complete set or open tasks, and their progress can be tracked. Note: The teacher dashboard cannot be accessed via the Android and iOS apps.
To help educators set up Digital Passport for their students:
Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying Module
Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying module (created by Infinite Learning) is made up of a series of videos and interactive objects, enabling educators and students to achieve the watch, try, apply learning strategy.
This module can be used in any primary setting to teach children about digital citizenship. However due to the fast paced conversation and the reading ability needed by users, teachers in lower-primary settings should run this as a whole class learning activity, rather than allow students to work through it in pairs or individually.
Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying module is free. Infinite Learning has also designed a Online Safety module which can be accessed via a free trial or subscription.
Click on the image above or here to watch the video, and then try and apply the learning in the interactive object that immediately follows (opens in a new window).
This module can be used in any primary setting to teach children about digital citizenship. However due to the fast paced conversation and the reading ability needed by users, teachers in lower-primary settings should run this as a whole class learning activity, rather than allow students to work through it in pairs or individually.
Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying module is free. Infinite Learning has also designed a Online Safety module which can be accessed via a free trial or subscription.
Click on the image above or here to watch the video, and then try and apply the learning in the interactive object that immediately follows (opens in a new window).
Grow an Online Reputation
Grow an Online Reputation (created by Carnegie Mellon University) is an interactive resource to teach and test children about digital citizenship.
The resources starts by giving users information about online behaviours and then tests their knowledge to see if their hypothetical online behaviours result in them 'growing' an online reputation.
The resources starts by giving users information about online behaviours and then tests their knowledge to see if their hypothetical online behaviours result in them 'growing' an online reputation.
Betty's Netiquette Quiz
Betty's Netiquette Quiz (created by Carnegie Mellon University) is an interactive resource to test children about their knowledge of digital etiquette/netiquette (digital citizenship).
Alan's Online Gaming Challenge
Alan's Online Gaming Challenge (created by Carnegie Mellon University) is an interactive resource to test children about their knowledge of staying safe whilst gaming online (cybersafety and eSecurity).
Players guide Alan through his search for online games by correctly answering a series of questions.
Players guide Alan through his search for online games by correctly answering a series of questions.
Budd:e Primary
Image © Commonwealth of Australia 2013 and Cybersecurity Education Package CC-BY-NC
Budd:e Primary (suitable for the middle years) contains eight online learning activities, plus one offline activity to teach children about cybersmart education. In each activity, students are required to make decisions and experiment with choices and consequences. Progress through each activity is guided by prompts and feedback.
Budd:e also includes as a reward system, an interactive tool that allows children to build and customise a ‘budd:e’.
Each Budd:e module is tied to a learning activity, so to build a ‘budd:e’ children must work through every learning activity to successful completion. At the conclusion of each activity, cybersafety and security information is saved to the 'Budd:e Smartphone', a simulated device that comes with a dictionary and links to other useful sites. Completed ‘budd:es’ may be posted to the all-schools Budd:e Wall of Fame, or exported for sharing.
Click here to watch a video to learn more about each module.
Sample Budd:e lesson plans are available for each activity, as well as curriculum maps for all Australian states and territories.
Budd:e also includes as a reward system, an interactive tool that allows children to build and customise a ‘budd:e’.
Each Budd:e module is tied to a learning activity, so to build a ‘budd:e’ children must work through every learning activity to successful completion. At the conclusion of each activity, cybersafety and security information is saved to the 'Budd:e Smartphone', a simulated device that comes with a dictionary and links to other useful sites. Completed ‘budd:es’ may be posted to the all-schools Budd:e Wall of Fame, or exported for sharing.
Click here to watch a video to learn more about each module.
Sample Budd:e lesson plans are available for each activity, as well as curriculum maps for all Australian states and territories.
Privacy Playground: The First Adventure of the Three CyberPigs
Privacy Playground (created by MediaSmarts) is an animated interactive object designed for children aged 8-10 to teach them (cybersafety & eSecurity) what to do when they encounter marketing ploys, spam and a close encounter with a not-too-friendly wolf (an online predator).
The Teacher's Guide explains how to play the game, gives background information on the issues and provides activities and handouts for classroom use.
The Teacher's Guide explains how to play the game, gives background information on the issues and provides activities and handouts for classroom use.
Image © 2005 Media Awareness Network
CyberSense and Nonsense: The Second Adventure of the Three CyberPigs
Image © 2005 Media Awareness Network
CyberSense and Nonsense (created by MediaSmarts) is the cybersmart interactive adventure in a series of three designed for children aged 8-10.
Users learn about how to authenticate information found online (digital media literacy), how to observe rules of netiquette (digital citizenship), how to distinguish between fact and opinion and how to recognize bias and harmful stereotyping in online content.
Users are required to undertake a seven question quiz to monitor their learning, with questions appearing throughout various stages of the storyline.
The Teacher's Guide explains how to play the game, gives background information on the issues and provides activities and handouts for classroom use.
Users learn about how to authenticate information found online (digital media literacy), how to observe rules of netiquette (digital citizenship), how to distinguish between fact and opinion and how to recognize bias and harmful stereotyping in online content.
Users are required to undertake a seven question quiz to monitor their learning, with questions appearing throughout various stages of the storyline.
The Teacher's Guide explains how to play the game, gives background information on the issues and provides activities and handouts for classroom use.
Dana's Cyber Villain Report (Cloze)
Dana's Cyber Villain Report (created by Carnegie Mellon University) is a collection of cybersmart education clozes that need to be completed to help Dana finish her cyber villain report.
The music playing characters in the first two screens and the adjoining music that plays during the completion of each cloze both have nothing to do with the cloze.
The music playing characters in the first two screens and the adjoining music that plays during the completion of each cloze both have nothing to do with the cloze.
Erika's Cyber Security Crossword
Erika's Cyber Security Crossword (created by Carnegie Mellon University) is a collection of cybersmart education crosswords.
Cyber Cafe
CyberCafe (created by CEOP) is a free cybersmart education interactive resource that young children can use to navigate throughout a cyber cafe to discover the different technologies that their virtual peers are using and help guide the characters to make S.M.A.R.T decisions.
Image: © Crown Copyright: CEOP is a command of the National Crime Agency
Stuart & Scout
Stuart & Scout (created by Carnegie Mellon University) starts out in with the main characters trying to borrow books from the library about cyber safety which all of a sudden leads to a cyberbullying quiz. The quiz has pertinent questions relating to various online situations and quizzes students on what they think is the appropriate online behaviour they should respond when encountering various dilemmas they may may face online.
CyberSmart Access
Image © Commonwealth of Australia and ACMA
Cybersmart Access (created by ACMA) contains a variety of free interactive activities presented in a predominantly text, image and text-to-speech environment, suitable for the middle-years classroom.
The activities are designed to teach students key cybersafety and digital citizenship messages. Students can select from four different games/activities:
The activities are designed to teach students key cybersafety and digital citizenship messages. Students can select from four different games/activities:
- 'Pick Your Friends' - Digital Citizenship: Determining whether comments/post are friendly of instances of cyberbullying
- 'Crowd Surfing' - Cyber Safety: Deciding when and where to share personal information
- 'Drop Box' - Cyber Safety & eSecurity - Deciding which online messages should be kept, deleted or whether to seek the assistance of a parent
- 'Flip and Fix' - Cyber Safety - Matching online and text message scenarios with the appropriate actions that should be taken.
Friend Finder
Friend Finder (created by OnGuardOnline) is a free interactive geared at teaching young students about cybersafety and digital citizenship (positive online behaviours) whilst using a Facebook-esque interface.
Whilst using this interactive object, students will receive friend requests which they must stop, think and click before they accept or reject the requests, with feedback given on their choices.
It is very much a text-based experience, requiring the reading and critical thinking skills that using social media requires.
Whilst using this interactive object, students will receive friend requests which they must stop, think and click before they accept or reject the requests, with feedback given on their choices.
It is very much a text-based experience, requiring the reading and critical thinking skills that using social media requires.
Skooville
Skooville is a paid protected social network created to help children learn how to communicate with other children in a moderated environment whilst learning positive online behaviours so that they are better equipped to protect their own well-being (digital citizenship).
Schools can use Skooville as an avenue to teach students about digital literacy, introducing students to essential web skills in a fun environment. Children can communicate with other children all around the world and are given incentives for positive online behaviours (by collecting virtual badges).
To ensure for the safety of all users, all messages sent by students can be viewed by their teacher(s), whilst inbuilt filters and online moderators prevent harmful and bullying messages from being sent, with students given feedback should they make an error in judgement.
Skooville also enables children to:
As well as a protected social network, Skooville also contains educational games to teach children about:
Schooville is free for schools in New Zealand, whilst schools in Australia, USA and the UK are required to purchase a license per child (the cost of which is calculated on a sliding scale that can be access from here).
Schools can use Skooville as an avenue to teach students about digital literacy, introducing students to essential web skills in a fun environment. Children can communicate with other children all around the world and are given incentives for positive online behaviours (by collecting virtual badges).
To ensure for the safety of all users, all messages sent by students can be viewed by their teacher(s), whilst inbuilt filters and online moderators prevent harmful and bullying messages from being sent, with students given feedback should they make an error in judgement.
Skooville also enables children to:
- design personal home pages
- update their profiles
- enter competitions
- review books, films and apps
- work together on projects
- make a contribution on any number of issues, from climate change to preventing bullying
- take part in a wide range of educational activities, games and projects
- initiate their own clubs, events and activities.
As well as a protected social network, Skooville also contains educational games to teach children about:
- financial literacy
- cybersmart education
- mathematics.
Schooville is free for schools in New Zealand, whilst schools in Australia, USA and the UK are required to purchase a license per child (the cost of which is calculated on a sliding scale that can be access from here).
SuperClubsPLUS3
SuperClubsPLUS3 is a paid protected online social learning network (where all activity is mediated) for children 7-11 and 11-14 years old that acts as a training ground as they learn how to be responsible, keep safe and have fun online (digital citizenship).
The service allows students to:
It is hoped that by using SuperClubsPLUS3 that when students move towards using non-protected social networks that they’ll know how to have fun and stay safe.
The service allows students to:
- create profile walls
- wikis
- galleries
- joining groups
- participate in forums, polls and surveys to discuss current issues
- earn rewards.
It is hoped that by using SuperClubsPLUS3 that when students move towards using non-protected social networks that they’ll know how to have fun and stay safe.
Star Riders
Star Riders (created by ThinkUKnow UK) is a simple, free interactive cybersafety activity that is based around a game and quiz.
The concept behind this activity is that students can earn game playing time by correctly answering sets of three questions about cyber safety.
The concept behind this activity is that students can earn game playing time by correctly answering sets of three questions about cyber safety.
Image: © ThinkUKnow
Upper-Primary/Secondary
The following interactive objects are perfect for using as a weekly reading rotation activity (individually or in pairs) or as an activity to use after watching any of the following videos during a lesson to then try to apply the learning (watch, try, apply).
Browse below or choose from the following links:
Browse below or choose from the following links:
- Child-Friendly & Safe Internet Search Engines
- Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying Module (USA)
- Budd:e Secondary (Australia)
- BeSeen (Australia)
- POSTi (Australia)
- Fakebook (USA)
- Cyberbullying/Digital Citizenship Interactive Comic (USA)
- Digizen (UK)
- Know It All Parents Presentation & Young People Smart Guide (UK)
- FBI's Safe Online Surfing: Cyber Surf Islands (USA)
- Jo Cool or Jo Fool? (Canada)
- Save The Endangered Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus!
- Career Capture (USA)
- Peter Packet (USA)
- Peter Packet II: Penny's Search (USA)
- Top Secret! (Australia)
- CyberQuoll (Australia)
- P-Rock Online (Australia) *Paid
- Passport to the Internet (Canada) *Paid
- MyWorld (Canada) *Paid
- Packet the Rabbit (USA)
- Kidsmart (UK)
- Chatdanger (UK)
- Cybernetrix (Australia)
- Cybersmart Challenge (Australia) *Paid
- eSmart Schools (Australia) *Paid
- Schooville (Australia) *Paid
- SuperClubsPLUS3 (UK) *Paid.
Child-Friendly & Safe Internet Search Engines
GoGooligans
GoGooligans is a child-friendly search engine aimed at middle-upper primary school students powered by Google Custom Search™.
It provides four clickable options:
Searches for inappropriate content are blocked and users are presented with a wordy pop-up explaining as to why their search was blocked.
It provides four clickable options:
- Kids Safe Search.
- Kid Related Content.
- Most Current.
- Find Definitions.
Searches for inappropriate content are blocked and users are presented with a wordy pop-up explaining as to why their search was blocked.
Google SafeSearch
By deafult, Google Search is not set to apply SafeSearch filters. Google SafeSearch can help block inappropriate or explicit images from Google Search results. Whilst the SafeSearch filter is not 100% accurate, it helps users avoid most adult content.
Whlist the above listed child-friendly search engines employ the SafeSearch filters, schools should still teach their staff and students how to use Google SafeSearch as shown via the steps in the image below.
Whlist the above listed child-friendly search engines employ the SafeSearch filters, schools should still teach their staff and students how to use Google SafeSearch as shown via the steps in the image below.
Google Scholar
Gooogle Scholar is not a child-safe search engine, but the next step up from Google Search.
It is aimed at upper secondary to university students who are searching for articles, case law and patents.
It is aimed at upper secondary to university students who are searching for articles, case law and patents.
Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying Module
Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying (digital citizenship) module is a (created by Infinite Learning) is made up of a series of videos and interactive objects, enabling educators and students to achieve the watch, try, apply learning strategy.
This module can be used in any primary setting. However due to the fast paced conversation and the reading ability needed by users, teachers in lower-primary settings should run this as a whole class learning activity, rather than allow students to work through it in pairs or individually.
Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying module is free. Infinite Learning has also designed a Online Safety module which can be accessed via a free trial or subscription.
Click on the image above or here to watch the video, and then try and apply the learning in the interactive object that immediately follows (opens in a new window).
This module can be used in any primary setting. However due to the fast paced conversation and the reading ability needed by users, teachers in lower-primary settings should run this as a whole class learning activity, rather than allow students to work through it in pairs or individually.
Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying module is free. Infinite Learning has also designed a Online Safety module which can be accessed via a free trial or subscription.
Click on the image above or here to watch the video, and then try and apply the learning in the interactive object that immediately follows (opens in a new window).
Budd:e
Budd:e (created by the Australian Government) is a cybersmart education interactive platform that is available for free in three editions:
Budd:e is suitable for use by students working alone, working in small groups, or for teacher-led whole class activity via a data projector or interactive whiteboard.
Each Budd:e edition is available for free online as well as on CD-ROM.
- Budd:e Primary (Suitable for students in Years 3-4)
- Budd:e Secondary (2011) (Suitable for students in Years 5-8)
- Budd:e For Teachers (AKA Budd:e Secondary 2010)
Budd:e is suitable for use by students working alone, working in small groups, or for teacher-led whole class activity via a data projector or interactive whiteboard.
Each Budd:e edition is available for free online as well as on CD-ROM.
Budd:e Secondary
Image © Commonwealth of Australia and Cybersecurity Education Package CC-BY-NC
Budd:e Secondary (2011) contains discussions and activities suitable for students aged 11+.
Budd:e Secondary contains three main sections (Game, Videos and FAQ). A fourth section (Studio) is where students may use their credits from the Game section for parts and accessories to customise their Budd:e. Click here to learn more.
Learning outcomes are available for each activity, as well as curriculum maps for all Australian states and territories. The answers for the Game section can be downloaded from here.
Budd:e Secondary is also suitable for use by students in Years 5 and 6. Download sample reading rotations activities here.
Budd:e Secondary contains three main sections (Game, Videos and FAQ). A fourth section (Studio) is where students may use their credits from the Game section for parts and accessories to customise their Budd:e. Click here to learn more.
Learning outcomes are available for each activity, as well as curriculum maps for all Australian states and territories. The answers for the Game section can be downloaded from here.
Budd:e Secondary is also suitable for use by students in Years 5 and 6. Download sample reading rotations activities here.
Budd:e For Teachers
Image © Commonwealth of Australia and Cybersecurity Education Package CC-BY-NC
Budd:e For Teachers (AKA Budd:e Secondary 2010) contains discussions and activities suitable for students aged 11+ and contains a 'Toob' (videos) and a 'Live' (interactive activities) section.
It contains two videos less than Budd:e Secondary (2011).
Budd:e for Teachers is also suitable for use by students in Years 5 and 6. Download sample reading rotations activities here.
It contains two videos less than Budd:e Secondary (2011).
Budd:e for Teachers is also suitable for use by students in Years 5 and 6. Download sample reading rotations activities here.
BeSeen App
BeSeen (created by Carnegie Mellon University and Web Wise Kids) is a free app designed to help students learn to be responsible when using social networks by securing their private and personal information, protecting their online reputation and defending their peers.
BeSeen is a single-player game that simulates a social networking website. The player creates a profile and starts earning “friend” characters and interacting with them. They learn about others through their posts and help them through challenges in order to win awards and make new friends.
In BeSeen, the ultimate quest is to make friends. At first, that is a matter of getting involved in school activities, but as more friends join a social circle, they bring their problems with them. To keep friends and make more, it's important not only to be involved but to be a good friend. Who is up for the challenge?
The BeSeen app works on Android devices and Windows or Mac PCs that have BlueStacks (an official and free Android for PC program, linked to a Google Account) installed. It is no longer available for iOS devices.
Watch the video below to see BeSeen in action.
BeSeen is a single-player game that simulates a social networking website. The player creates a profile and starts earning “friend” characters and interacting with them. They learn about others through their posts and help them through challenges in order to win awards and make new friends.
In BeSeen, the ultimate quest is to make friends. At first, that is a matter of getting involved in school activities, but as more friends join a social circle, they bring their problems with them. To keep friends and make more, it's important not only to be involved but to be a good friend. Who is up for the challenge?
The BeSeen app works on Android devices and Windows or Mac PCs that have BlueStacks (an official and free Android for PC program, linked to a Google Account) installed. It is no longer available for iOS devices.
Watch the video below to see BeSeen in action.
POSTi
POSTi (a free resource developed by the Arts Centre Melbourne, in conjunction with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development) aims to teach students about digital citizenship (positive online behaviours), exploring the implications of using social media in today's world.
Suitable for the upper years classroom, POSTi contains a Facebook-styled interface. Students progress through POSTi by reading and answering questions (challenges) correctly before proceeding. For correct answers students are awarded points. For incorrect answers they lose points. Challenges are designed to help students access the story but also think about key learning aspects of behaving respectfully within the digital space.
It is very much a text-based experience, requiring the reading and critical thinking skills that using social media requires.
Suitable for the upper years classroom, POSTi contains a Facebook-styled interface. Students progress through POSTi by reading and answering questions (challenges) correctly before proceeding. For correct answers students are awarded points. For incorrect answers they lose points. Challenges are designed to help students access the story but also think about key learning aspects of behaving respectfully within the digital space.
It is very much a text-based experience, requiring the reading and critical thinking skills that using social media requires.
Lesson plans, video tutorials, resource kits (answers), FAQs and a full script of POSTi videos can be accessed from here.
Fakebook
Digital Passport
Fakebook is a free online interactive service that allows users to create non-Facebook connected fake accounts for educational purposes (digital media literacy, cyber safety and digital citizenship).
Whilst the website suggests that user could create profiles for historical characters (such as this pre-made John F Kennedy example and others), students could use this to create fictional or their own realistic Facebook/Fakebook pages whilst learning about what information they should and shouldn't post online.
Whilst the website suggests that user could create profiles for historical characters (such as this pre-made John F Kennedy example and others), students could use this to create fictional or their own realistic Facebook/Fakebook pages whilst learning about what information they should and shouldn't post online.
Digital Passport (created by Common Sense Media) is a free interactive digital citizenship tool where users progress through a series of modules to learn how to be good digital citizens (and earn badges).
The modules can be accessed via PC (Win/Mac/Linux), apps designed for Android or iOS devices, or even as an Edmodo app.
There are five modules:
Educators can register for an account to access a teacher dashboard to create groups, add students, and customize activities. Students can then log on, complete set or open tasks, and their progress can be tracked. Note: The teacher dashboard cannot be accessed via the Android and iOS apps.
To help educators set up Digital Passport for their students:
The modules can be accessed via PC (Win/Mac/Linux), apps designed for Android or iOS devices, or even as an Edmodo app.
There are five modules:
- Communication: Twalkers - Mobile phones and multi-tasking.
- Privacy: Share Jumper - Learning about appropriate and inappropriate online messages.
- Cyberbullying: E-volve - Learning how to make positive choices.
- Search: Search Shark - Effective online search education.
- Creative Credit: Mix-n-Mash - Citing online sources.
Educators can register for an account to access a teacher dashboard to create groups, add students, and customize activities. Students can then log on, complete set or open tasks, and their progress can be tracked. Note: The teacher dashboard cannot be accessed via the Android and iOS apps.
To help educators set up Digital Passport for their students:
Cyberbullying/Digital Citizenship Interactive Comic
The following interactive comic (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) is a flash-based object that users interact with by using the scroll wheel on a mouse to zoom in to view and continue the story. The storyline revolves around themes of digital citizenship (should he send the image?) and cyberbullying (when his friend send the image).
Click on the image below to view the access the interactive comic from its original source (opens in a new window).
Click on the image below to view the access the interactive comic from its original source (opens in a new window).
Digizen
Digizen (created by Childnet) is a free interactive flash-based resource that allows users to learn about digital citizenship. Users create their own student who will enter into a virtual school where cyberbullying has taken place. Users have the opportunity to experience a day at school with the main character, Joe, and make decisions about how to help someone who is being cyberbullied.
During this experience students should discover how to be a responsible a digital citizen and also learn about keeping safe online.
A lesson plan for the Digizen resource can be accessed here.
During this experience students should discover how to be a responsible a digital citizen and also learn about keeping safe online.
A lesson plan for the Digizen resource can be accessed here.
Know It All Parents Presentation
Childnet have created a free interactive Parents Presentation that is full of information and activities about cybersmart education that parents can peruse and interact with. The resource also includes two Young People Smart Guides (ages 7-10 and 11-16) that parents can work through with their children (or children can use this in a stand alone situation). A great touch is the inclusion of real-life narrators to guide users through the presentation.
The presentation package covers all areas of cybersmart education.
FBI's Safe Online Surfing: Cyber Surf Islands
America's Fedberal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has created the FBI Cyber Surf Islands, a series of levelled Flash games and quizzes to teach cybersafety to students in grades 3-8.
Students can simply choose their desired level or teachers can create a class account and assign the module(s) for students to work through.
Watch the video below to learn more:
Students can simply choose their desired level or teachers can create a class account and assign the module(s) for students to work through.
Watch the video below to learn more:
Jo Cool or Jo Fool?
Jo Cool or Jo Fool? (created by MediaSmarts) is a free interactive resource to teach users about the process of identifying whether a website is a credible source of information (digital media literacy) focusing on online privacy, online marketing, responsible internet use, authenticating online resources and internet safety.
The resource should be used in conjunction with an information source sheet so that teachers can monitor the student decision making process regarding:
The users can then compare their answers with fellow students and to those given by the resource. After finishing the activity users can then undertake a twenty question cyber quiz.
Jo Cool or Jo Fool? is supported by a teacher's guide.
The resource should be used in conjunction with an information source sheet so that teachers can monitor the student decision making process regarding:
- What kind of website is this?
- What decision does Jo have to make?
- What should Jo be looking out for?
- Does Jo make the right decision?
- Why or why not?
The users can then compare their answers with fellow students and to those given by the resource. After finishing the activity users can then undertake a twenty question cyber quiz.
Jo Cool or Jo Fool? is supported by a teacher's guide.
Help Save The Endangered Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus!
Lyle Zapato's website about the fictional endangered tree octopus is a brilliant example to teach children the important skill of determining whether a website is a credible source of information and the need to find the same information stated on two different valid locations for it to be potentially true (digital media literacy).
Follow the steps below and also download (below) some sample student persuasive texts that have been generated as a result of this activity.
Follow the steps below and also download (below) some sample student persuasive texts that have been generated as a result of this activity.
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Download samples of student persuasive texts that were generated as part of this activity:
Save The Tree Octopus
Students When Researching Should Find the Same Information on Two Websites
Don't Save The Tree Octopus!
Save The Tree Octopus
Students When Researching Should Find the Same Information on Two Websites
Don't Save The Tree Octopus!
Career Capture
Career Capture (created by Cisco) is an interactive digital media literacy resource that promotes the role of women in the information technologies sector.
As user navigate through this resource, they learn about the important roles that various women from around the world are fulfilling in the IT sector.
Click here to access the resource online or to download it (opens in a new window).
As user navigate through this resource, they learn about the important roles that various women from around the world are fulfilling in the IT sector.
Click here to access the resource online or to download it (opens in a new window).
Peter Packet
Peter Packet (created by Cisco) is an interactive digital media literacy resource that combines delivering information about how computers and networks work (in video and written formats) with a fun video game spread across three missions (with two difficulty levels: beginner & advanced).
As a matter of good teaching practice, students should take notes about what they learn leading up to each game.
Users can play the game online or download it.
As a matter of good teaching practice, students should take notes about what they learn leading up to each game.
Users can play the game online or download it.
Peter Packet II: Penny's Search
Peter Packet II: Penny's Search (created by Cisco) is an interactive digital media literacy resource that combines delivering information about how computers and networks work (in video and written formats) with a fun video game spread across three missions.
As a matter of good teaching practice, students should take notes about what they learn leading up to each game.
Users can play the game online or download it.
As a matter of good teaching practice, students should take notes about what they learn leading up to each game.
Users can play the game online or download it.
Top Secret!
Top Secret (created by Common Sense Media) is a free, predominantly text-based interactive object that seeks to teach children about the steps that they can take to keep secure their personal details whilst using online services such as Facebook and online shopping (eSecurity).
The content is presented in the form of drawn cartoons and comic-style frames.
The content is presented in the form of drawn cartoons and comic-style frames.
CyberQuoll
Image ACMA CC BY-NC-ND
CyberQuoll (created by ACMA) contains six free animated episodes designed to teach upper-primary students about cybersafety.
The episodes are focussed around the interaction of two annoying siblings who are exploring the internet and the guidance they are given by the narrator.
Whilst part of the presentation is less than desirable (see below), CyberQuoll has some great teaching points including:
Note: Due to some scenes of animated violence (e.g. one of the two main characters hitting the other over the head with a skateboard), the use of inappropriate language ("stupid", "nerd", "sucked bigtime", "stuffing up" and "kicking your butt") and use of slang (e.g. "gonna") some schools, students and parents may find CyberQuoll to be less desirable when compared to other resources. These episodes are denoted by a * below.
The cybersmart education areas addressed in each episode are as follows:
Teachers and students could use the CyberQuoll resource in both whole and small group learning scenarios (e.g. students identify what they learnt about the four areas of cybersmart education). Complimentary student worksheets and additional student resources are also available. Resources for parents are also available.
The episodes are focussed around the interaction of two annoying siblings who are exploring the internet and the guidance they are given by the narrator.
Whilst part of the presentation is less than desirable (see below), CyberQuoll has some great teaching points including:
- Split screen comparisons between real world instances and online experiences
- Handy hints and memorable strategies for learning key information
- After learning about the pitfalls of the internet, users are then prompted to interact with the virtual computer to see if they can apply what they have learned.
Note: Due to some scenes of animated violence (e.g. one of the two main characters hitting the other over the head with a skateboard), the use of inappropriate language ("stupid", "nerd", "sucked bigtime", "stuffing up" and "kicking your butt") and use of slang (e.g. "gonna") some schools, students and parents may find CyberQuoll to be less desirable when compared to other resources. These episodes are denoted by a * below.
The cybersmart education areas addressed in each episode are as follows:
- Episode 1: None *
- Episode 2: Digital Media Literacy & Cyber Safety: Protecting personal details when online, email safety, locating information (smart searching) and responding to inappropriate content *
- Episode 3: Cyber Safety & Digital Citizenship: Online predators, email scams, spam and hoaxes, net etiquette *
- Episode 4: Cyber Safety: Posting photos online *
- Episode 5: Cyber Safety & eSecurity: Protecting personal and banking details when online and thinking before install free software *
- Episode 6: All of the above areas combined into one end of unit task. *
Teachers and students could use the CyberQuoll resource in both whole and small group learning scenarios (e.g. students identify what they learnt about the four areas of cybersmart education). Complimentary student worksheets and additional student resources are also available. Resources for parents are also available.
P-Rock Online
P-Rock Online is a paid online interactive anti-bullying elearning program (digital citizenship) with an inbuilt Learning Management System available only to Australian schools with students in Years 7-9.
P-ROCK Online is comprised of four 30-minute online learning experiences:
The inbuilt Learning Management System collects student data (pre and post tests) to provide both students and teachers feedback on student learning and the broader anti-bullying culture of a collective of students.
Watch the video below to learn more:
P-ROCK Online is comprised of four 30-minute online learning experiences:
- Wiping the Slate: Exploring what bullying is and isn't, reflecting on students' previous behaviours and empowering students to tackle the future together.
- Cyberbullying & Digital Citizenship: Launching new strategies (that students will actually use) and empowering students to create a supportive online culture.
- Communication & Empathy: Motivating and building the confidence for students to stand up to bullying, manage conflict, and examine the impact of our behaviour on those around us.
- Personal Leadership: Fostering personal leadership skills in those who may not have been previously recognised as leaders, exploring the question: "How do you want to be remembered?"
The inbuilt Learning Management System collects student data (pre and post tests) to provide both students and teachers feedback on student learning and the broader anti-bullying culture of a collective of students.
Watch the video below to learn more:
A subscription to P-Rock Online costs $10 (+GST) per student for 12 month subscription.
P-Rock Online is created by Project RockIt, a provider of student anti-cyberbullying workshops.
P-Rock Online is created by Project RockIt, a provider of student anti-cyberbullying workshops.
Passport to the Internet
Passport to the Internet: Student tutorial for Internet literacy (created by MediaSmarts) is a paid interactive literacy tutorial aimed at developing the critical thinking skills that students in Years 4-8 students need to apply to their online experiences.
Using simulations of the most popular internet environments, this resource aims to teach students key skills about cyber safety (online safety, authenticating online information, recognizing online marketing ploys, protecting their privacy, managing online relationships) and digital citizenship (dealing with cyberbullying).
The resource comes with an extensive teacher’s guide with detailed instructions as well as classroom activities and handouts.
An individual school licence costs $CA205 excluding applicable taxes and is available to educators outside of Canada (international licence fees are payable in Canadian dollars or U.S. dollars at the current U.S./Canadian exchange rates).
View the video below to learn more:
Using simulations of the most popular internet environments, this resource aims to teach students key skills about cyber safety (online safety, authenticating online information, recognizing online marketing ploys, protecting their privacy, managing online relationships) and digital citizenship (dealing with cyberbullying).
The resource comes with an extensive teacher’s guide with detailed instructions as well as classroom activities and handouts.
An individual school licence costs $CA205 excluding applicable taxes and is available to educators outside of Canada (international licence fees are payable in Canadian dollars or U.S. dollars at the current U.S./Canadian exchange rates).
View the video below to learn more:
MyWorld
MyWorld: A digital literacy tutorial for secondary students (created by MediaSmarts) is a paid interactive resource that aims to teach students essential digital literacy skills through simulating their favourite online experiences.
The tutorial is divided into four chapters:
In each chapter/game, students use a variety of virtual online tools and environments (e.g. a search engine, a social networking site or a fictional website) to complete tasks. Student results are tallied and sent to a nominated email address.
An individual school licence costs $CA325 excluding applicable taxes and is available to educators outside of Canada (international licence fees are payable in Canadian dollars or U.S. dollars at the current U.S./Canadian exchange rates).
Watch the video below to learn more:
The tutorial is divided into four chapters:
- researching and authenticating online information (digital media literacy)
- managing privacy and reputation (digital citizenship)
- dealing with online relationships (digital citizenship)
- using digital media in an ethical manner (digital citizenship).
In each chapter/game, students use a variety of virtual online tools and environments (e.g. a search engine, a social networking site or a fictional website) to complete tasks. Student results are tallied and sent to a nominated email address.
An individual school licence costs $CA325 excluding applicable taxes and is available to educators outside of Canada (international licence fees are payable in Canadian dollars or U.S. dollars at the current U.S./Canadian exchange rates).
Watch the video below to learn more:
Packet The Rabbit
Packet The Rabbit (created by Carnegie Mellon University) is designed to teach students about how data travels through the internet, introducing them to the uses of packet data, routers, DNS and web servers (digital media literacy).
It can be quite complicated as users need to thoroughly read every part of the introduction (whilst the music is blaring) to then stand any chance of completing the game.
It can be quite complicated as users need to thoroughly read every part of the introduction (whilst the music is blaring) to then stand any chance of completing the game.
Kidsmart
Kidsmart is a free, predominantly text based interactive resource that provides children with knowledge about various issues that can occur when using online technologies (digital media literacy & cybersafety).
Each section contains information and some links to other sources or poses a question which can then be explored to learn about what children should do when they encounter various issues.
There are two editions: Under 11 and Over 11.
Each section contains information and some links to other sources or poses a question which can then be explored to learn about what children should do when they encounter various issues.
There are two editions: Under 11 and Over 11.
Chatdanger
Chatdanger (created by Childnet) is a free interactive resource that discusses the potential dangers on online services (cybersafety). It is predominantly text-based.
NOTE: Due to the presence of mature content, Chatdanger is a resource that teachers should use only after consulting their principal/head of school.
CyberNetrix
CyberNetrix (created by ACMA) is a free interactive resource designed in 2008 for use in secondary schools. Whilst the appearance can seem quite dated, the lesson resources are still applicable to today's classroom.
Lesson content includes learning about chatroom safety, mobile phone use, internet banking safety, identify theft, computer security and reporting online behaviour (cybersafety and eSecurity).
Lesson content includes learning about chatroom safety, mobile phone use, internet banking safety, identify theft, computer security and reporting online behaviour (cybersafety and eSecurity).
Image © Commonwealth of Australia and ACMA
Cybersmart Challenge
ACMA's Cybersmart Challenge will be available in Term 4, 2014. If you wish to be notified when the new Challenge platform is available email ‘New Challenge’ in the subject to [email protected].
For more details download the Cybersmart Challenge teacher information brochure here.
For more details download the Cybersmart Challenge teacher information brochure here.
Image © Commonwealth of Australia and ACMA
eSmart (Alannah and Madeline Foundation) - Australia
eSmart (created by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation) is a paid system to assist schools in changing the culture and behaviours of both educators and students in relation to the use of digital technologies (cybersafety, cyberbullying and student well-being: digital citizenship).
The concept of developing an eSmart school focusses on equipping schools with the knowledge, resources and support to promote the smart, safe and responsible use of technology within their communities. To do this, eSmart is based around a framework to guide a whole school community through the process. Watch the video and continue reading below to learn more:
The concept of developing an eSmart school focusses on equipping schools with the knowledge, resources and support to promote the smart, safe and responsible use of technology within their communities. To do this, eSmart is based around a framework to guide a whole school community through the process. Watch the video and continue reading below to learn more:
The high costs of becoming an eSmart school ($AU3,500 +GST per school/campus) may simply price some schools out. Therefore:
Schools can register to become an eSmart school by visiting the eSmart Schools website, calling 1300 592 151, or emailing [email protected] for more information.
- to enable all Victorian government schools to become eSmart Schools, the Victorian State Government has partnered with The Alannah and Madeline Foundation to provide funding for schools through to the middle of 2015
- Victorian Catholic schools that have an SES of 96 or below have been funded by the Victorian State Government to register for eSmart free of charge and receive a $2000 grant to assist them to implement the program
- Victorian schools who do not qualify for funding via the above two methods can apply for a BullyStoppers grant and include eSmart as one of their strategies to combat bullying
- to assist schools in New South Wales, the Alannah and Madeline Foundation has announced a $100,000 scholarship program with Google that will help 100 schools in Sydney, NSW to increase online safety for children and reduce cyberbullying through its eSmart Schools program. The Google scholarship will pay $1000 towards the cost of the eSmart program
- to assist schools in Queensland, the Queensland State Government has partnered with The Alannah and Madeline Foundation to provide the eSmart Schools framework to Queensland government schools.
Schools can register to become an eSmart school by visiting the eSmart Schools website, calling 1300 592 151, or emailing [email protected] for more information.
Parent Specific
Whilst parents can of course use the resources reviewed above, various free interactive online services have been designed specifically for parents.
Browse below or use the following quicklinks:
Browse below or use the following quicklinks:
- Know It All Parents Presentation (UK)
- In My Day (New Zealand)
- Common Sense Media Reviews (Canada).
Know It All Parents Presentation
Childnet have created a free interactive Parents Presentation that is full of information and activities that parents can peruse and interact with (cybersmart education). The resource also includes two Young People Smart Guides (ages 7-10 and 11-16) that parents can work through with their children (or children can use this in a stand alone situation). A great touch is the inclusion of real-life narrators to guide users through the presentation.
In My Day
In My Day is a free Flash-based interactive object (created by NetSafe NZ) to help educate parents about various aspects of cybersmart education through a variety of videos and parent-child discussion questions.
Click on the image below to access In My Day (opens in a new window).
Click on the image below to access In My Day (opens in a new window).
Common Sense Media Reviews
Common Sense Media is an independent not-for-profit service who provides parents/guardians and educators with brilliant online reviews for movies, games, TV shows, books, websites and music that adults should use when determining whether that new movie/game/show is actually suitable across a number of important criteria, such as positive messages and positive role models. Thus the reviews are more detailed and likely to give parents/guardians much deeper insights than the regular country-specific age group classifications (digital media literacy).
This free service is available online and as apps for iOS and Android.
Read the following review and the'full details' review below it for the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie (2014) (or click on either image to access the review from the CSM website) and then click here to access their interactive reviews database.
This free service is available online and as apps for iOS and Android.
Read the following review and the'full details' review below it for the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie (2014) (or click on either image to access the review from the CSM website) and then click here to access their interactive reviews database.
Cybersmart Videos
There are a number of very powerful cybersmart education videos and associated lesson resources that should be viewed and discussed during staff meetings, cybersafety parent information nights and in classrooms. The videos range from animated to real-life gut-wrenching stories (with actors). Ideally they could be used as the "hook" or lead into a cybersmart education lesson.
The videos have been grouped into the four cybersmart areas (digital media literacy, cyber safety, digital citizenship and eSecurity) and categorised into age-appropriate sections (lower primary/elementary, middle primary, upper primary/secondary and university/tertiary).
As part of a sound cybersmart education approach, schools and parents should use these videos in the following manner:
As cybersmart education is a global language, the following videos have been sourced from all over the world (and as no one country or organisation seems to have videos designed to meet the four cybersmart education learning areas for all age groups).
Browse the content below to find the video(s) that best suits your needs and remember to plan to watch, try, apply!
The videos have been grouped into the four cybersmart areas (digital media literacy, cyber safety, digital citizenship and eSecurity) and categorised into age-appropriate sections (lower primary/elementary, middle primary, upper primary/secondary and university/tertiary).
As part of a sound cybersmart education approach, schools and parents should use these videos in the following manner:
- Watch the video with students.
- Think about the message/new learning the video was designed to impart to audiences
- Discuss the issue(s) and/or question(s) raised in the video and if/how/whether students have experienced such occurrences before, either personally themselves or by other people that they know.
- Dig deeper by conducting further research (if necessary).
- Try to reinforce the message by being part of role plays, creating school-wide campaigns (e.g. against cyber-bullying) or by using the newly learned/discussed skills to successfully complete any of the matching interactive objects/games reviewed above.
- Apply the skills every time they use a digital device.
As cybersmart education is a global language, the following videos have been sourced from all over the world (and as no one country or organisation seems to have videos designed to meet the four cybersmart education learning areas for all age groups).
Browse the content below to find the video(s) that best suits your needs and remember to plan to watch, try, apply!
Lower-Primary/Elementary
Use the following quicklinks or browse the videos and descriptions below to find content that best suits your needs. Note: The videos are best played/viewed in the order they are listed.
Digital Media Literacy & Cyber Safety:
All Cybersmart Areas Combined:
Cyber Safety:
Digital Citizenship:
eSecurity:
Digital Media Literacy & Cyber Safety:
- An Introduction to Computers & Internet Safety (USA)
- Enabling YouTube's Safe Mode
- Password Rap (USA)
- My Online Neighbourhood (USA)
All Cybersmart Areas Combined:
- Hector's World® (New Zealand / Australia)
- Childnet's Know It All: Kara, Winston and the SMART Crew (United Kingdom)
- Internet Safety (USA)
Cyber Safety:
- It's OK to Tell (USA)
- Hector's World ® Videos (New Zealand/Australia)
- Hector's World ® 'Turn It Around' Music Video (New Zealand/Australia)
- Dongle's Cyber Safety Music Video (United Kingdom)
- The Adventures of Reda & Neto - All Episodes (Spain)
- Wild About Safety with Timon and Pumbaa: Safety Smart Online! (USA)
- Little Red Riding Mood (USA)
- Lee and Kim's Adventure: Animal Magic (United Kingdom)
- Avatars (USA)
- Know Your Friends (United Kingdom)
- Professor Garfield's Online Safety Module (USA)
Digital Citizenship:
- Digital Etiquette (USA)
- Bad Netiquette Stinks (USA)
- Bullying & Cyberbullying (USA)
- Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying Module (USA)
- The Adventures of Reda & Neto (Spain) - Episode 4
eSecurity:
- The Adventures of Reda & Neto (Spain) - Episode 3
- Stop. Think. Connect. TM (USA)
- Don't Open That File: A Lesson In Viruses (USA)
Digital Media Literacy & Cyber Safety Videos
An Introduction To Computers and Internet Safety
This video (created by the student production team from the Digital Media Institute from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania) is a great way to introduce to young students rules for using computers and the internet at school and in the home. It focusses on the teaching of three rules:
- Do not give anyone your student number or username.
- Don't go to any webpage that your teacher or parent(s) have typed in/set up for you.
- Don't type anything into a webpage unless you are told to by a teacher or a parent.
Enabling YouTube's Safety Mode
Both students and parents need to know how to enable YouTube's Safe Mode. Watch the video below and also read AIMIA's 'Tips for playing and staying safe of YouTube'.
Password Rap
The following music video and interactive game (created by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Boys & Girls Clubs of America) is a great way to introduce to/remind students why they need to create strong passwords and what constitutes a strong password.
Click on the image below to watch the music video, play the Password Rap Game to reinforce the messages contained within the music video, and then have students generate passwords that meet the criteria discussed in the video or use Password Meter to help generate strong passwords.
Click on the image below to watch the music video, play the Password Rap Game to reinforce the messages contained within the music video, and then have students generate passwords that meet the criteria discussed in the video or use Password Meter to help generate strong passwords.
My Online Neighbourhood
My Online Neighbourhood (created by Common Sense Media) is a video of a child discussing how he uses the internet and who he interacts with. The video delivers three key messages about using computers and the internet:
This video is a part of the free K-12 digital citizenship and cyber safety education program; Common Sense on E-rate and CIPA: Toolkit for Teachers. Click here to register and then access the rest of the lessons and units via the the scope and sequence here.
Click on the image below to watch the video from it's original source (opens in a new window). An associated lesson plan for the video can be accessed here.
- Ask your parents first.
- Only talk to people you know.
- Stick to places that are just right for you.
This video is a part of the free K-12 digital citizenship and cyber safety education program; Common Sense on E-rate and CIPA: Toolkit for Teachers. Click here to register and then access the rest of the lessons and units via the the scope and sequence here.
Click on the image below to watch the video from it's original source (opens in a new window). An associated lesson plan for the video can be accessed here.
All Cybersmart Areas Combined Videos
Hector's World®
Hector's World® (created by ACMA) is a free user-friendly cybersafety resource to help young children (2-9 year-olds) learn about safe online practices and digital citizenship. Hector's World® has two portals: Australia and New Zealand.
Image © Commonwealth of Australia and ACMA
The core content of Hectors World® are the seven sequential animated episodes featuring Hector (the dolphin) and his friends. Each episode addresses a cybersmart education area.
Some of the videos contain pause prompts so that teachers or parents can pause the video and discuss the questions posed by the characters with the class/child.
The episodes cover the following cybersmart education areas:
Each episode has downloadable support material adjusted to meet lower, middle and upper years primary classes (including lesson plans, storybooks, songs sheets & music, character hats and handouts & posters for teachers and parents). To learn more about each episode and to access the lesson plans, click here.
Additional Hector's World® online content is available including:
Some of the videos contain pause prompts so that teachers or parents can pause the video and discuss the questions posed by the characters with the class/child.
The episodes cover the following cybersmart education areas:
- Story 1: 'Details, Details' - Cyber Safety (Safeguarding personal details/information online)
- Story 2: 'Welcome To The Carnival' - Cyber Safety & Digital Media Literacy (Safeguarding personal details/information online and identifying terms & conditions)
- Story 3: 'It's a Serious Game' -
- Story 4: 'The Info Gang' - eSecurity & Cyber Safety (Phishing: introducing the concept of third parties using personal details)
- Story 5: 'Heroes' - eSecurity & Cyber Safety (Reiterating the concept of phishing)
- Story 6: 'Cyberbullying: You're Not Alone' - Digital Citizenship (Standing up against cyberbullying and seeking adult advice)
- Story 7: 'Computer Security, Oops' - eSecurity (Think before you click: pop-up menus, downloads, backing-up, viruses and anti-virus software and passwords
Each episode has downloadable support material adjusted to meet lower, middle and upper years primary classes (including lesson plans, storybooks, songs sheets & music, character hats and handouts & posters for teachers and parents). To learn more about each episode and to access the lesson plans, click here.
Additional Hector's World® online content is available including:
Childnet's Know It All: Kara, Winston and the SMART Crew
Childnet's (UK) Know It All: The Adventures of Kara, Winston and the SMART Crew is a series of free animated cartoons that discuss five cybersmart rules.
Each episode/chapter centres around the cartoon characters who with the help of input of real children, learn how to make safe online decisions.
The cybersmart education areas addressed in each episode/chapter are as follows:
Each episode can be viewed online or downloaded for not-for-profit educational use. Follow-up activities can be found here. Resources for SEN and BSL (British sign language students) can be access from here.
Each episode/chapter centres around the cartoon characters who with the help of input of real children, learn how to make safe online decisions.
The cybersmart education areas addressed in each episode/chapter are as follows:
- eSecurity - What should you accept? (Email and attachments)
- Digital Media Literacy - What is reliable? (Sources of information)
- Cyber Safety - What should you keep safe? (Protecting personal information)
- Digital Citizenship - Who should you tell? (Reporting cyberbullying)
- Cyber Safety - The dangers of meeting online 'friends' in person.
Each episode can be viewed online or downloaded for not-for-profit educational use. Follow-up activities can be found here. Resources for SEN and BSL (British sign language students) can be access from here.
Internet Safety
This video (created by BrainPop Jr) raises the question, 'What should you do if a stranger sends you a (online) message?' discussing what children should do when they encounter strangers on the internet (Cybersafety). The video also discusses that children should not share personal information when online as well as how to keep computers safe when online (eSecurity).
Click on the image below to watch the video (opens in a new window).
Click on the image below to watch the video (opens in a new window).
Cyber Safety Videos
It's OK to Tell
Created by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, this 3D animated video (part story, part music video) focuses around an evil protagonist who uses a fictional digital device to spread inappropriate images to children. The children who do not know what to do when encountering such images, view the images, feel bad, depressed and act withdrawn and defensive. The children then learn that it is OK to tell a trusted adult or not look should they encounter inappropriate images online.
Click on the image below to watch the video (opens in a new window).
Click on the image below to watch the video (opens in a new window).
As a complimentary approach to the advice given in the It's OK to Tell video above, schools and parents should also install the Hector's World Safety Button TM, a simple floating dolphin tool that young children can click on should they encounter anything that makes them feel uncomfortable. The friendly image of Hector The Dolphin simply covers the screen and asks for them to seek advice from an adult (parent/guardian or teacher).
The Hector's World Safety Button TM is free and can be downloaded for Mac and Windows PCs here. Read the section immediately below to learn more about the suite of Hector's World® cybersmart education videos and resources.
The Hector's World Safety Button TM is free and can be downloaded for Mac and Windows PCs here. Read the section immediately below to learn more about the suite of Hector's World® cybersmart education videos and resources.
Hector's World ® 'Turn It Around' Music Video
A music video of the characters from Hector's World® promoting anti-cyberbullying (digital citizenship) is available by clicking the image below (opens a new window).
Image ACMA CC BY-NC-ND
Dongle's Cyber Safety Music Video
The BBC have provided a series of cyber safety videos for young children. Click on the image below to view Dongle's cyber safety music video to reinforce the S.M.A.R.T rules:
- Safe - Don't give out personal information
- Meeting up with a webpal can be dangerous
- Accepting emails can be dangerous
- Reliable? - Someone online may not be who they say they are
- Tell a parent a carer if something makes you feel unsafe or worried.
The Adventures of Reda & Neto
The following episodes of The Adventures of Reda and Neto (created by Friendly Screens) introduce the cyber safety concept of keeping their personal data safe whilst browsing online. Each has no dialogue, instead relying on the imagination of the characters to tell the story.
The episodes are best viewed in in the following order:
The episodes are best viewed in in the following order:
- Episode 2: Do not give your personal data to websites
- Episode 3: Anti-virus and Firewalls can protect your personal data from others
- Episode 4: Protect other people's data and images as if they were your own
- Episode 1: Cyber predators (the wicked witch) can capture you if you give out your personal data.
Wild About Safety with Timon and Pumbaa: Safety Smart® Online
The following video (created by Disney) discusses the need to protect your personal information whilst online. It is a three minute preview of the fourteen minute long DVD Safety Smart Online that can be purchased here.
Little Red Riding Mood
Whilst the following video is aimed at older special needs children who are using Facebook, the presentation style and the cyber safety message to keep personal details private whilst online, makes this video a good way to carefully introduce discussion about stranger danger whilst online.
Lee and Kim's Adventure: Animal Magic
Lee and Kim's Adventure: Animal Magic (created by ThinkUKnow UK) is an eight minute animated cartoon (as well as a music video) teaching young children how stay safe whilst online.
The episode focuses on two young siblings using online animated games that contain social media components like chat windows (e.g. Moshi Monsters) and the characters/people they meet and interact with. As the children encounter these characters/people, the superhero Sid, teaches them more about who they could potentially be communicating with online and what they can do (via four tips) when they start to feel unsure or unsafe. He also teaches them tips about digital citizenship.
Watch the preview, explanation and demonstration of the episode being used in schools in the video directly below, then access the full animated episode located underneath the preview.
The associated activities, resources and music video can be accessed here.
The episode focuses on two young siblings using online animated games that contain social media components like chat windows (e.g. Moshi Monsters) and the characters/people they meet and interact with. As the children encounter these characters/people, the superhero Sid, teaches them more about who they could potentially be communicating with online and what they can do (via four tips) when they start to feel unsure or unsafe. He also teaches them tips about digital citizenship.
Watch the preview, explanation and demonstration of the episode being used in schools in the video directly below, then access the full animated episode located underneath the preview.
The associated activities, resources and music video can be accessed here.
Online Avatars
This animated video (created by Coping Club) about online avatars tries to communicate the message that when creating an avatar for an online game that children should think as to how much their avatar actually reflects themselves in real life.
Interestingly the video uses an animated version of Facebook, which children under the age of 13 should not be using (see here). It also gets the dog to create an avatar that is an exact match to his face. Both of these things communicate the opposite to what educators should be teaching young children. However, some educators may deem it worthy to discuss these very same issues.
Interestingly the video uses an animated version of Facebook, which children under the age of 13 should not be using (see here). It also gets the dog to create an avatar that is an exact match to his face. Both of these things communicate the opposite to what educators should be teaching young children. However, some educators may deem it worthy to discuss these very same issues.
Know Your Friends with Josh and Sue
Know Your Friends is a video aimed at special needs children to teach them about digital citizenship and cyber safety. The presentation style and the content within the video makes it suitable for young children in lower and middle years primary settings.
Digital Citizenship Videos
Digital Etiquette
In this free and no prompt to subscribe video, BrainPop's Tim & Moby introduce and discuss the digital citizenship concept of netiquette (a set of rules for how to behave online) and how it applies across a range of online/digital activities. They also discuss the need to avoid escalating online conlficts (known as flaming) and flame wars (when bad netiquette erupts and spirals out of control). Click here to access an interactive game designed to encourage children to fight the flame war.
After watching the video, students can try to apply their learning by completing the four additional activities on digital etiquette that appear after the video, which includes comprehension (taking the quiz), matching terms to definitions, questions & answers, and further information.
Click on the image below to watch the video (opens in a new window).
After watching the video, students can try to apply their learning by completing the four additional activities on digital etiquette that appear after the video, which includes comprehension (taking the quiz), matching terms to definitions, questions & answers, and further information.
Click on the image below to watch the video (opens in a new window).
Bad Netiquette Stinks
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) combines an animated cartoon with a catchy music video to deliver lessons about digital citizenship in an entertaining way.
Watch the video then try to apply the learning by using the following interactive object:
Watch the video then try to apply the learning by using the following interactive object:
Bullying & Cyberbullying
This video (created by BrainPopJr) defines what bullying is and discusses what people should do when they encounter bullying including tips on how they can avoid being a bully. The video then introduces and discusses the concept of cyberbullying. Click on the image below to access the video (opens in a new window).
Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying Module
Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying module (created by Infinite Learning) is made up of a series of videos and interactive objects, enabling educators and students to achieve the watch, try, apply learning strategy.
This module can be used in any primary setting. However due to the fast paced conversation and the reading ability needed by users, teachers in lower-primary settings should run this as a whole class learning activity, rather than allow students to work through it in pairs or individually.
Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying module is free. Infinite Learning has also designed a Online Safety module which can be accessed via a free trial or subscription.
Click on the image above or here to watch the video, and then try and apply the learning in the interactive object that immediately follows (opens in a new window).
This module can be used in any primary setting. However due to the fast paced conversation and the reading ability needed by users, teachers in lower-primary settings should run this as a whole class learning activity, rather than allow students to work through it in pairs or individually.
Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying module is free. Infinite Learning has also designed a Online Safety module which can be accessed via a free trial or subscription.
Click on the image above or here to watch the video, and then try and apply the learning in the interactive object that immediately follows (opens in a new window).
eSecurity Videos
Stop. Think. Connect. TM
Stop. Think. Connect. TM is a global cybersecurity awareness campaign. This video introduces young children to the thought process of 'Stop. Think. Connect' via the use of smiley faces drawn on fingers. Watch the video to start promoting the message today (opens in a new window).
Don't Open That File: A Lesson in Viruses
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) combines an animated cartoon with a catchy music video to teach young children about the thinking process that they should go through before clicking on a file which could potentially contain a virus. It also discusses the term 'Anti-Virus Software'.
Click on the image below to view the video from its original source (opens in a new window).
Click on the image below to view the video from its original source (opens in a new window).
Middle-Primary
Use the following quicklinks or browse the videos and descriptions below to find content that best suits your needs:
Digital Media Literacy & Cyber Safety:
Digital Media Literacy:
Cyber Safety & Digital Citizenship:
Cyber Safety:
Digital Citizenship:
eSecurity:
Cyber Safety: Online Predators
Digital Media Literacy & Cyber Safety:
Digital Media Literacy:
- Digital Footprints (USA)
- Mindful Messaging (USA)
- KidBet: Gambling (Australia)
Cyber Safety & Digital Citizenship:
- Chatterbox (Australia)
Cyber Safety:
- ATO's Protect Your Personal Information (Australia)
- Instant Messaging - A Lesson In (USA)
- Facebook: Little Red Riding Mood (USA)
- Professor Garfield's Online Safety Module (USA)
- Tell A Trusted Adult (USA)
Digital Citizenship:
- Digital Etiquette (USA)
- Bad Netiquette Stinks (USA)
- What Is Cyberbullying? (USA)
- Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying Module (USA)
- Digital Ethics: Online Piracy (USA)
eSecurity:
- Netbasics (Australia)
- Don't Open That File: A Lesson In Viruses (USA)
- Internet Pop-Ups (Belgium)
- Microsoft's eSecurity Videos (United States)
- Stop, Think, Connect (United States)
Cyber Safety: Online Predators
- Friend or Fake? (USA)
- Internet Safety - Newsround Caught In The Web (United Kingdom)
Digital Media Literacy & Cyber Safety Video
My Online Neighbourhood
My Online Neighbourhood (created by Common Sense Media) is a video of a child discussing how he uses the internet and who he interacts with. The video delivers three key messages about using computers and the internet:
This video is a part of the free K-12 digital citizenship and cyber safety education program; Common Sense on E-rate and CIPA: Toolkit for Teachers. Click here to register and then access the rest of the lessons and units via the the scope and sequence here.
Click on the image below to watch the video from it's original source (opens in a new window). An associated lesson plan for the video can be accessed here.
- Ask your parents first.
- Only talk to people you know.
- Stick to places that are just right for you.
This video is a part of the free K-12 digital citizenship and cyber safety education program; Common Sense on E-rate and CIPA: Toolkit for Teachers. Click here to register and then access the rest of the lessons and units via the the scope and sequence here.
Click on the image below to watch the video from it's original source (opens in a new window). An associated lesson plan for the video can be accessed here.
Enabling YouTube's Safety Mode
Both students and parents need to know how to enable YouTube's Safe Mode. Watch the video below and also read AIMIA's 'Tips for playing and staying safe of YouTube'.
Digital Media Literacy Videos
Digital Footprint
Whilst quiet basic, the following video (created by Common Sense Media) can be used to discuss the concept of digital footprints and discuss the question of, 'What kind of digital footprint are you leaving?' As a follow up activity, students could then place inside a footprint all of the details they know that they have input or uploaded online.
After viewing the video students should discuss:
Click on the image below to watch the video from it's original source (opens in a new window).
After viewing the video students should discuss:
- How long does something last on the web?
- Who can see what you put online?
- How can you control what people can see?
- How would you find out about someone online?
- What would you never share online?
- Are there some things that you share with some people and not others?
- Would you post a picture of a friend without telling them first? What about a stranger?
Click on the image below to watch the video from it's original source (opens in a new window).
Mindful Messaging
Mindful Messaging (created by Common Sense Media) is a video teaching children about the digital media literacy of text messaging/emailing; how using capital letters, punctuation and other literary devices can have unforeseen circumstances when messaging other people (message tone).
This video is a part of the free K-12 digital citizenship and cyber safety education program; Common Sense on E-rate and CIPA: Toolkit for Teachers. Click here to register and then access the rest of the lessons and units via the the scope and sequence here.
Click on the image below to watch the video from it's original source (opens in a new window).
This video is a part of the free K-12 digital citizenship and cyber safety education program; Common Sense on E-rate and CIPA: Toolkit for Teachers. Click here to register and then access the rest of the lessons and units via the the scope and sequence here.
Click on the image below to watch the video from it's original source (opens in a new window).
KidBet: Gambling
Studies have shown that the more time that children spend watching television and going online, the more gambling advertisements they will be exposed to (e.g. Zynga Poker in Facebook). Therefore if schools are to create a sound cybersmart education program, the following video (created by KidBet) should be used to address the issue of children being exposed to gambling advertisements and serve as a classroom discussion point to determine to the extent as to which a class of students have been exposed. Students should then also decide whether gambling is for adults or children (playing gambling games is illegal if you are under 18).
Facts sheets are also available for download from here.
Facts sheets are also available for download from here.
Cyber Safety & Digital Citizenship Video
Chatterbox
Chatterbox (created by ACMA) is a web-based series of brilliant easy-to-understand introductory animated videos, associated Facebook forums and extended discussion videos for parents (and teachers) to keep abreast of digital media literacy, cyber safety and digital citizenship issues.
The chatterbox episodes can be used for cybersmart information nights for parents as conversation starters, for a parent's personal reading, as well as potentially by teachers in the classroom.
Watch each of the short introductory videos in the following order below (note: the names of the episodes have been modified to reflect a more accurate summary of the content contained within each video):
The chatterbox episodes can be used for cybersmart information nights for parents as conversation starters, for a parent's personal reading, as well as potentially by teachers in the classroom.
Watch each of the short introductory videos in the following order below (note: the names of the episodes have been modified to reflect a more accurate summary of the content contained within each video):
Cyber Safety Videos
ATO's Protect Your Personal Information
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has created a short animated video about the need to protect your personal information (cyber safety). As the video uses simple language and discusses examples of types of personal information, educators in the middle to upper primary years may find the video suitable for starting a classroom dialogue about protecting personal information when online .
Instant Messaging: A Lesson In
The following video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) discusses the use of Instant Messaging (IM) by young children and what children should do if someone they don't know contacts them online (using a character called 'Follow You Fiona).
Facebook: Little Red Riding Mood
Whilst the following videos were created for older special needs children, if young students are using Facebook (remembering that Facebook users must be aged 13+), it is important that they watch and discuss these videos with their parents. Episodes one and two discuss issues of cyber safety and episode three discusses cyber bullying (and perhaps an instance of a cyber predator).
Digital Citizenship Videos
Digital Etiquette
In this free and no prompt to subscribe video, BrainPop's Tim & Moby introduce and discuss the digital citizenship concept of netiquette (a set of rules for how to behave online) and how it applies across a range of online/digital activities. They also discuss flaming and flame wars (when bad netiquette erupts and spirals out of control). Click here to access an interactive game designed to encourage children to fight the flame war.
After watching the video, an interactive with four additional activities on digital etiquette appears which includes comprehension (taking the quiz), matching terms to definitions, questions & answers, and further information.
Click on the image below to watch the video (opens in a new window).
After watching the video, an interactive with four additional activities on digital etiquette appears which includes comprehension (taking the quiz), matching terms to definitions, questions & answers, and further information.
Click on the image below to watch the video (opens in a new window).
Bad Netiquette Stinks
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) combines an animated cartoon with a catchy music video to deliver lessons about digital citizenship in an entertaining way.
What is Cyberbullying?
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) interviews students to define what constitutes cyberbullying and to discuss instances of cyberbullying that they or their friends have experienced.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz Teens website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz Teens website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video.
Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying Module
Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying module (created by Infinite Learning) is made up of a series of videos and interactive objects, enabling educators and students to achieve the watch, try, apply learning strategy.
Due to the fast paced conversation and the reading ability needed by users, teachers may either run this as a whole class/small group learning activity for some students and for others allow them to work through it in pairs or individually.
Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying module is free. Infinite Learning has also designed a Online Safety module which can be accessed via a free trial or subscription.
Click on the image above or here to watch the video, and then try and apply the learning in the interactive object that immediately follows (opens in a new window).
Due to the fast paced conversation and the reading ability needed by users, teachers may either run this as a whole class/small group learning activity for some students and for others allow them to work through it in pairs or individually.
Professor Garfield's Cyberbullying module is free. Infinite Learning has also designed a Online Safety module which can be accessed via a free trial or subscription.
Click on the image above or here to watch the video, and then try and apply the learning in the interactive object that immediately follows (opens in a new window).
Tell A Trusted Adult
This animated video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) teaches children that they should tell a trusted adult should they encounter something that makes them feel sad, scared or uncomfortable.
Click on the image below to view the video (opens in a new window).
Click on the image below to view the video (opens in a new window).
Digital Ethics: Online Piracy
This animated video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) teaches young children about digital ethics regarding online piracy (such as copying music from the internet) whilst discussing the concept of character, and how users should practice good character whilst using the internet.
Click on the image below to watch the video (opens in a new window).
Click on the image below to watch the video (opens in a new window).
eSecurity Videos
Internet Pop-Ups
This adorable computer animated video (created by Child Focus Belgium) is a great way to discuss internet pop-ups with students, their experiences with them, and the steps to take when they encounter them.
In the video the child seeks parental assistance when receiving multiple pop-ups. However, it is very important to note/discuss that in the video the pop-ups reappear once they are closed. If users noticed that such occurrences, particularly whilst playing online or downloaded games:
In the video the child seeks parental assistance when receiving multiple pop-ups. However, it is very important to note/discuss that in the video the pop-ups reappear once they are closed. If users noticed that such occurrences, particularly whilst playing online or downloaded games:
- This could suggest that the online game is not trustworthy and regardless of how fun it is to play by yourself or with a parent, it may contain spyware/malware/adware (e.g. Mario for Chrome is spyware) and should be uninstalled/closed
- A cache cleaning software (e.g. CCleaner) should be installed and ran
- An anti-spyware/adware/malware software (e.g. MalwareBytes) should be installed and ran
- An anti-virus scan software (e.g. AVG Free) should be installed and ran.
Image Commonwealth of Australia and ACMA CC-BY-NC-SA
Don't Open That File: A Lesson in Computer Viruses
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) combines an animated cartoon with a catchy music video to teach young children about the thinking process that they should go through before clicking on a file which could potentially contain a virus. It also discusses the term 'Anti-Virus Software'.
Click on the image below to view the video from its original source (opens in a new window).
Click on the image below to view the video from its original source (opens in a new window).
Netbasics
Netbasics (created by ACMA) contains a series of eleven free short 3D animation episodes designed to teach upper-primary/lower-secondary students about eSecurity (how a users’ computer activities can expose them to a
number of security vulnerabilities and reinforce positive steps they
can take to protect their computers and data).
Each short episode focuses around the members of the Jones family, the e-security threats they encounter and the cyber-security programs used to protect themselves from such security threats,
Lesson plans for each episode can be downloaded from here.
Each short episode focuses around the members of the Jones family, the e-security threats they encounter and the cyber-security programs used to protect themselves from such security threats,
Lesson plans for each episode can be downloaded from here.
Microsoft's eSecurity Videos
Microsoft have designed a number of useful animated and real-life videos for teaching issues of eSecurity to young children and parents. Click here or on the image below to access Microsoft's security, privacy, and online safety how-to videos.
Stop, Think, Connect TM
Stop, Think, Connect™ is a global eSecurity awareness campaign to help all digital citizens stay safer and more secure online. As part of the campaign a number of videos aimed at young children have been created. Click here to access the videos, one of which can be viewed below.
ACMA's Youtube account is full of a variety of videos that can be used within the classroom and at home as part of a cyber smart education program. Ensure the you click on the 'Videos' tab to see all the videos as well as the 'Playlists' tab so see popular videos.
Cyber Safety - Online Predators Videos
Friend or Fake?
This animated video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) teaches children and youjng teenagers to think about whether the people they are chatting to online are actually "real" people with the qualities they are looking for or "fake" friends who seem too good to be true. This video is a great way to introduce children to the concept of cyber fiends without the mature themes and content that those types of videos normally contain.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz Teens website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (discussion guides and activities).
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz Teens website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (discussion guides and activities).
Internet Safety - Newsround Caught In The Web
Due to the mature themes and presentation style that younger children may find uncomfortable, unlike the video above, the following video may only be suitable for viewing by young children whilst they are in the company of their parent(s)/guardian(s). This part animated, part real-life video (with actors) teaches young children about various cybersmart concerns including:
- Keeping password safe (eSecurity)
- Responding to cyberbullying (cyber safety)
- Unhealthy use of computers and the development of computer addictions (digital media literacy)
- Online predators (cyber safety).
Upper-Primary/Secondary
Note: Due to the mature themes discussed and depicted in some of the videos below, principal or parental permission may be needed before viewing of these videos with students. These films are noted by a *.
Use the following quicklinks or browse the videos and descriptions below to find content that best suits your needs:
Use the following quicklinks or browse the videos and descriptions below to find content that best suits your needs:
- Digital Media Literacy
- eSecurity
- CyberSafety
- Digital Citizenship
- Digital Citizenship (Anti-Cyberbullying)
- Sexting
- Cyber Predators/Online Grooming
Digital Media Literacy
The following videos seek to develop student, teacher and parent understanding of the uses of digital technology and how to critically analyse their use of digital information.
Video Quicklinks
Video Quicklinks
- Digital Life: An Introduction To (USA)
- Look Up (United Kingdom)
- Disconnecting From Technology (USA)
- KidBet: Gambling (USA)
- EU Measures to Protect Minors From Online Gaming (EU)
- Enabling YouTube's Safe Mode
- What is Facebook? (USA)
- What is Twitter? (USA)
- What is Instagram? (USA)
- What is Google + (Google Plus)? (USA)
- What is Snap Chat? - Includes the dangers of using such apps) (USA)
Digital Life: An Introduction To
The following video is a good way to introduce the concept of a digital life. The video is a part of the free K-12 digital citizenship and cyber safety education program; Common Sense on E-rate and CIPA: Toolkit for Teachers. Click here to register and then access the rest of the lessons and units via the the scope and sequence here.
Following on from the video, comparisons should be made between the concept of digital life vs real life across a number of areas such as:
Real Life
Literacy
Security
Safety
Citizenship
|
Digital Life
Digital Media Literacy
eSecurity
Cybersafety
Digital Citizenship
|
Look Up
'Look Up' is a powerful must-watch spoken word film for an ever-increasing online generation.
The message in the video is that we must realise that in a digital world where we continue to find ways to make it easier for us to connect and interact with one another, does not always mean that we are truly connecting and interacting with each other. This message is a key part of the digital media literacy component of cybersmart education.
The message in the video is that we must realise that in a digital world where we continue to find ways to make it easier for us to connect and interact with one another, does not always mean that we are truly connecting and interacting with each other. This message is a key part of the digital media literacy component of cybersmart education.
Copyright © 2014 Gary Turk All Rights Reserved. Written, Performed & Directed by Gary Turk.
Disconnecting From Technology
Following on from the 'Look Up' video (above) is WellCast's 'Disconnecting From Technology'. This WellCast episode was requested by school children and gives great tips for educators and students on how they can set up some technology free time periods.
Unacceptable Digital Footprint
Contained within the 'In My Day' interactive Flash object (created by Netsafe NZ) is an 'Post It Online' section that contains an 'Unacceptable Digital Footprint' video that is an ideal presentation with a subsequent set of questions to help gauge student understanding of digital footprints.
After watching this video students should:
1. Discuss:
2. Apply their learning:
Click on either of the images below to access the interactive object and to then navigate to the video (opens in a new window).
After watching this video students should:
1. Discuss:
- How long does something last on the web?
- Who can see what you put online?
- How can you control what people can see?
- How would you find out about someone online?
- What would you never share online?
- Are there some things that you share with some people and not others?
- Would you post a picture of a friend without telling them first? What about a stranger?
2. Apply their learning:
- Place on an outline of their footprint all of the data about themselves that they may have already put online
- Google their name and try to see what information they can find about themselves on both the 'Web' and 'Images' sections.
Click on either of the images below to access the interactive object and to then navigate to the video (opens in a new window).
KidBet: Gambling
Studies have shown that the more time that children spend watching television and going online, the more gambling advertisements they will be exposed to (e.g. Zynga Poker in Facebook). Therefore if schools are to create a sound cybersmart education program, the following video (created by KidBet) should be used to address the issue of children being exposed to gambling advertisements and serve as a classroom discussion point to determine to the extent as to which a class of students have been exposed. Students should then also discuss whether gambling is acceptable for adults, teenagers or children with reference then made to the law: that playing gambling games is illegal if you are under 18.
For more information about online gambling that is specifically designed for students choose one of the following options: (i) Children (ii) Teenagers, (iii) Years Levels 10-12 and (iv) Parents. Facts sheets are also available for download from here.
For more information about online gambling that is specifically designed for students choose one of the following options: (i) Children (ii) Teenagers, (iii) Years Levels 10-12 and (iv) Parents. Facts sheets are also available for download from here.
EU Measures to Protect Minors From Online Gaming
With figures released showing that more than 12 percent of all gambling in the European Union is done online, on 14 July the European Commission presented a Recommendation aimed at directing member states to deliver a high level of protection for consumers, players and minors in the area of online gambling services.
This video (created by VIEUWS: The EU policy broadcaster) discusses the measures being implemented, including age verification testing to protect/prohibit minors from gambling. Click on the image below to access the video (opens in a new window).
This video (created by VIEUWS: The EU policy broadcaster) discusses the measures being implemented, including age verification testing to protect/prohibit minors from gambling. Click on the image below to access the video (opens in a new window).
Enabling YouTube's Safety Mode
Should users find inappropriate content or experience cyberbullying whilst on YouTube, if logged in a YouTube account, YouTube members can report inappropriate content by using the ‘flag content as inappropriate’ function which appears under every video.
To protect children from potentially accessing age-inappropriate content, educators, students and parents should be taught how to enable YouTube's Safe Mode. Watch the video below and also read AIMIA's 'Tips for playing and staying safe of YouTube'.
To protect children from potentially accessing age-inappropriate content, educators, students and parents should be taught how to enable YouTube's Safe Mode. Watch the video below and also read AIMIA's 'Tips for playing and staying safe of YouTube'.
What is Facebook and How Is It Used?
The following two videos explain the basics of Facebook and also highlights some of the dangers of Facebook's data sharing policies and terms of usage.
Parents should also read Connect Safely's Parents Guide to Facebook.
Parents should also read Connect Safely's Parents Guide to Facebook.
Should someone's Facebook experience become tainted by unpleasant experiences (e.g. a hacked account, inappropriate photos being posted of them, etc.):
The following resources may also be useful:
- to delete comments on the web version of Facebook, simply position the mouse cursor over the comment that you would like to remove, and click the ‘x’ that appears on the right-hand side
- to delete comments using the iOS app, simply tap the comment and select delete.
- to delete comments using the Android, hold a long press on the comment and select delete.
- reports can be made by clicking on the ‘Report’ link located on pages throughout the site, or by emailing [email protected].
The following resources may also be useful:
- AIMIA's Facebook Top Six Content and Privacy FAQs
- Connect Safely's Tips for Getting Cache Content Removed
- Childnet's 'Guide to responding to cyberbullying on different social networking sites'
- The process for removing information posted by someone about you on social networking sites (Australia)
- Sexting - NeedHelpNow.ca - Should someone succumb to the pressure to send an intimate image of themselves and wish to remove it, they should visit NeedHelpNow.ca which provides easy-to-follow guidance on steps they can take to try to solve the problem.
What is Twitter and How Is It Used?
Twitter is considered to be a micro-blogging service as it allows users to 'tweet' messages of up to 140 characters. Twitter can also be used quite effectively in a school environment (read more here).
Watch the video below to learn more about Twitter and how it can be used.
Watch the video below to learn more about Twitter and how it can be used.
Should someone's Twitter experience become tainted by unpleasant experiences (e.g. a hacked account, inappropriate photos being posted of them, etc.) the following resources may be useful:
- The process for removing information posted by someone about you on social networking sites (Australia)
- Connect Safely's Tips for Getting Cache Content Removed
- Childnet's 'Guide to responding to cyberbullying on different social networking sites'
- Sexting - NeedHelpNow.ca - Should someone succumb to the pressure to send an intimate image of themselves and wish to remove it, they should visit NeedHelpNow.ca which provides easy-to-follow guidance on steps they can take to try to solve the problem.
What is Instagram and How Is It Used?
Watch the videos below and also access Connect Safely's Parent Guide to Instagram.
To remove a comment from the iOS version of Instagram, simply tap on the comment, swipe it to the left, tap the bin icon, and select Delete
To remove a comment from the iOS version of Instagram, simply tap on the comment, swipe it to the left, tap the bin icon, and select Delete
What is Google+ (Google Plus) and How Is It Used?
What is Snapchat and Other Quick Sharing Apps and How Are They Used?
Snapchat, Blink and BurnNote are sharing apps that have been created to tap into a desire among young people to share images or messages that then self-destruct/disappear after a set time to avoid the prying eyes of friends, teachers and parents.
However, these apps not only have the potential to encourage people to share inappropriate photos (because they think the images will disappear) but in given circumstances, despite what the apps say, the pictures may not actually disappear.
Watch the two videos below that explain what SnapChat is as well as the dangers and work-arounds that people use to save sent images before they self-destruct/disappear. Also download Connect Safely's Parent Guide to SnapChat to learn more.
eSecurity Videos
The following videos seek to provide information about how secure digital devices and the data/information they contain.
Video Quicklinks
Video Quicklinks
- Internet Pop-Ups (Belgium)
- Password Sharing Requests From People in a Relationship (USA)
- Stay Smart Online Videos (Australia)
- Get Safe Online Video Series (Australia)
Internet Pop Ups
This adorable computer animated video (created by Child Focus Belgium) is a great way to discuss internet pop-ups with students, their experiences with them, and the steps to take when they encounter them.
In the video the child seeks parental assistance when receiving multiple pop-ups. However, it is very important to note/discuss that in the video the pop-ups reappear once they are closed. If users noticed that such occurrences, particularly whilst playing online or downloaded games:
In the video the child seeks parental assistance when receiving multiple pop-ups. However, it is very important to note/discuss that in the video the pop-ups reappear once they are closed. If users noticed that such occurrences, particularly whilst playing online or downloaded games:
- This could suggest that the online game is not trustworthy and regardless of how fun it is to play by yourself or with a parent, it may contain spyware/malware/adware (e.g. Mario for Chrome is spyware) and should be uninstalled/closed
- Introduce Windows users to Windows Defender, a free anti-virus and spyware scanner pre-installed with Windows 7 & 8
- A cache cleaning software (e.g. CCleaner) should be installed and ran
- An anti-spyware/adware/malware software (e.g. MalwareBytes) should be installed and ran
- An anti-virus scan software (e.g. AVG Free) should be installed and ran.
Password Sharing Requests From People in a Relationship
The following video (created by thatsnotcool.com) raises the issue of whether it is safe/appropriate to make a request from somebody that you are in a relationship with to share your/their passwords with.
Important notes:
Click here or on the image below to access the video (opens in a new window).
Important notes:
- As depicted in the image below, the discussion is between two female phones who are in a relationship
- The video does not play in full screen mode and both videos contained on the page automatically play at the same time once the webpage is loaded. Therefore users must pause the second video
- Registered users (free) can then create an image with the characters from the video to show what their response would be if faced with such a request.
Click here or on the image below to access the video (opens in a new window).
Stay Smart Online Videos
Smart Online offer a series of videos for children and parents promoting the need for everyone to stay smart online, including:
- Protecting your computer: stop intrusions
- Smart behaviours to protect your personal information and financial information
- Wireless security.
Get Safe Online Video Series
Get Safe Online (UK) provides a series of short videos discussing pertinent cybersmart education topics such as eSecurity (online shopping, phishing scams, peer-to-peer sharing, stop spyware, installing anti-virus and installing Windows updates, preventing identity theft) and digital citizenship (social networking). Click here or the image below to visit their videos section (opens in a new window).
Cyber Safety Videos
The following videos seek to educate students on how to keep safe, both on and offline.
Note:
Video Quicklinks
Note:
- Various aspects of cyber safety also overlap with digital citizenship, which has been given it's own section.
- Due to the mature content involved, videos about the cybersafety aspect of online predators has been placed into their own section which is located below the digital citizenship videos.
Video Quicklinks
- Internet Safety (USA) - Cyber Safety
- Safe Talk Online (USA) - Cyber Safety
- Stay Smart Online Agents (Australia) - General
Internet Safety
This short video (created by WellCast) provides some key cybersmart tips that many other videos and cybersmart websites to do not mention:
- Getting students to Google themselves to discover if they have a Google footprint. If students are able to locate some of their personal information online they need to adjust their privacy settings for whatever service that Google was able to find their information on.
- Ask a trusted friend to browse any intermet based accounts/profiles you have (e.g. Facebook) to see if they can locate personal information that shouldn't be there. If they find any then adjust your settings/remove the information.
- Don't accept phonecalls or texts from unlisted numbers.
- Handle hacking intelligently: (a) Change and strengthen your password, (b) Check your sent box and email anyone that the hackers may have spammed, (c) Run an anti-virus scan, (d) Back up your files.
Safe Online Talk
Safe Online Talk (created by Common Sense Media) is a video of teenagers talking about the digital devices that they use, how they connect with people online, and who they have encountered online, including interactions with strangers.
This video is a part of the free K-12 digital citizenship and cyber safety education program; Common Sense on E-rate and CIPA: Toolkit for Teachers. Click here to register and then access the rest of the lessons and units via the the scope and sequence here.
Click on the image below to watch the video from it's original source (opens in a new window). An associated lesson plan for the video can be accessed here.
This video is a part of the free K-12 digital citizenship and cyber safety education program; Common Sense on E-rate and CIPA: Toolkit for Teachers. Click here to register and then access the rest of the lessons and units via the the scope and sequence here.
Click on the image below to watch the video from it's original source (opens in a new window). An associated lesson plan for the video can be accessed here.
Stay Smart Online Agents
Stay Smart Online (Australia) provide a series of videos providing an overview of various issues of cybersmart education.
Introductory Epsiode: Behind The Scenes with Bajo and Hex (from ABC's Good Game)
Bajo & Hex are the presenters on the hugely popular video game review show 'Good Game' on ABC TV. This behind the scenes episode could be used as an introduction to a wide variety of cybersmart education issues as students could watch this videos in pairs as a reading rotation, pausing the video to list down all of the issues identified by the 'Stay Smart Online Agents'.
Introductory Epsiode: Behind The Scenes with Bajo and Hex (from ABC's Good Game)
Bajo & Hex are the presenters on the hugely popular video game review show 'Good Game' on ABC TV. This behind the scenes episode could be used as an introduction to a wide variety of cybersmart education issues as students could watch this videos in pairs as a reading rotation, pausing the video to list down all of the issues identified by the 'Stay Smart Online Agents'.
Other suitable episodes include:
Digital Citizenship Videos
The following videos seek to teach and give students the knowledge on how to practise positive online and offline behaviours (social literacy).
Note: Due to the mature content involved, videos about the digital citizenship concepts of cyberbullying and sexting and the cybersafety aspect of online predators have been placed into their own sections which are located below the digital citizenship videos.
Video Quicklinks
Note: Due to the mature content involved, videos about the digital citizenship concepts of cyberbullying and sexting and the cybersafety aspect of online predators have been placed into their own sections which are located below the digital citizenship videos.
Video Quicklinks
- What is Digital Citizenship (USA)
- Sharing Passwords & Possible Consequences (USA)
- Two Sided Stories: Text Monster (USA)
- Beeping (USA)
- Social Networking/Online Profiles: An Introduction To (USA)
- Posting: How Private Is It Really? (USA)
- Posting & Tagging Photos: Think Before You Share (Spain)
- Profile Penalty (USA)
- Posting Online: Decisions and Consequences (USA)
- Profiles: Posting Inappropriate Images (USA)
- Digital Privacy Music Video (USA)
- Posting Profiles: Abba's Story (USA)
- Juan Enriquez: Your Online Life, Permanent as a Tattoo (USA)
- Digital Etiquette: Playing Nicely Online (USA).
What is Digital Citizenship?
This is a quick introductory video the the concept of digital citizenship. Being a citizen in the 21st century means users need to be able to communicate and collaborate online effectively and responsibly. Teachers and parents need to be positively engaged with students in their use of digital technologies, support their good choices and if they stray, make sure those moments are turned into teachable moments.
Sharing Passwords & Possible Consequences
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) shows the disastrous effects that could result when sharing your password with others or if others learn another student's password.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated activity cards.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated activity cards.
2 Sided Stories: Text Monster
This video (created by That's Not Cool) raises the two-sided stories through the boyfriend's point-of-view (digital harassment by a girlfriend) and the girlfriend's point-of-view (lack of communication by the boyfriend). The video focuses on the internal monologue of a partner who is feeling the pressure of the constant harassment and then ends with a multiple choice about what he should do.
Click on each of the images below to watch both the boyfriend and girlfriend's point-of-view.
Click on each of the images below to watch both the boyfriend and girlfriend's point-of-view.
Beeping
Beeping is an animated video (created by That's Not Cool) that focuses on the discussion between three females (mobile phones) who are getting 'buzzed off' at the boys they know/are in a relationship with, who are constantly sending them text messages. The video ends on a discussion question: 'I like knowing he cares but it's like completely getting overwhelming but I don't want to lose him. What should I do?'.
Note:
Click here or on the image below to watch the video (opens in a new window).
Note:
- For comedic purposes, the timing of each text message that comes through (beeps) relates to that of a swear word
- The video does not play in full screen mode and both videos contained on the page automatically play at the same time once the webpage is loaded. Therefore users must pause the second video
- Registered users (free) can then create an image with the characters from the video to show what their response would be to the question posed.
Click here or on the image below to watch the video (opens in a new window).
Social Networking/Online Profiles: An Introduction To
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) is perfect for introducing/discussing the concept of social networking and online profiles and how students are using them. The video contains students of various ages discussing the following question prompts that are ideal for class discussions:
- Why do you have an online profile?
- How do you decide who to add to your friend list?
- Does it help to set your profile to private?
- How can posting personal information and pictures affect your future?
- Do your parents or guardians know what you are doing online?
Posting: How Private Is It Really?
Following on from the question, 'Does it help to set your profile to private?' contained in the above video, this animated video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) teaches children and young teenagers to think about that even if their posting settings on social networking sites are 'private' that posting images or updates aren't really 'private'.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz Teens website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (discussion guides and activities).
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz Teens website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (discussion guides and activities).
Posting Photos: Think Before You Share
This video (created by Friendly Screens) discusses the important digital citizenship value of asking others for their permission before posting/uploading photos that contain other people. It also discusses the concept of eSecurity.
Profile Penalty
This animated video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) is a good way to introduce to students the concept that what they post to their online profiles can actually affect their job and university prospects.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (discussion guides and activities).
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (discussion guides and activities).
Posting Online: Decisions and Consequences
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) contains students of various ages discussing the following question prompts that are ideal for class discussions:
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (discussion guides and activities).
- Have you or somebody that you know posted something online that you regret?
- What information and images are not OK to post?
- Why do people post inappropriate messages and pictures?
- How can things you post online affect your future?
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (discussion guides and activities).
Profiles: Posting Inappropriate Images
This animated video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) is a good way to introduce to students the concept of deciding what images might be inappropriate to post online and the resulting consequences.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (discussion guides and activities).
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (discussion guides and activities).
Digital Privacy Music Video
This music rap video (created by That's Not Cool) raises the digital citizenship issues of online harassment by boys who constantly text, Facebook stalk and request their girlfriends to send inappropriate images.
After watching the video, students respond to this clip by creating their own music videos to promote digital citizenship videos.
Click here or on any of the images below the access the video (opens in a new window).
After watching the video, students respond to this clip by creating their own music videos to promote digital citizenship videos.
Click here or on any of the images below the access the video (opens in a new window).
Posting & Profiles: Abba's Story
This video discusses one teenagers philosophy on what he and others post online and how his clean-living digital footprint may have actually helped his college application. Click on the video below to watch it from the original source (opens in a new window).
This video is a part of the free K-12 digital citizenship and cyber safety education program; Common Sense on E-rate and CIPA: Toolkit for Teachers. Click here to register and then access the rest of the lessons and units via the the scope and sequence here.
Click on the image below to watch the video from it's original source (opens in a new window). An associated lesson plan can be access from here.
This video is a part of the free K-12 digital citizenship and cyber safety education program; Common Sense on E-rate and CIPA: Toolkit for Teachers. Click here to register and then access the rest of the lessons and units via the the scope and sequence here.
Click on the image below to watch the video from it's original source (opens in a new window). An associated lesson plan can be access from here.
Juan Enriquez: Your Online Life, Permanent as a Tattoo
The following video is a great TED Talk by Juan Enriquez who looks at the permanent effects of digital sharing on our personal privacy, equating online digital footprints to tattoos, essentially recoining the phrase of 'digital footprints' to instead being 'electronic tattoos'.
Digital Etiquette: Playing Nicely Online
This animated video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) depicts the negative online behaviours that can occur when interacting with others in online gaming situations and how these online behaviours can affect friendships in the real world.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (discussion guides and activities).
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (discussion guides and activities).
Cyberbullying
There are a number of differ videos promoting the anti-cyberbullying (digital citizenship) message to students. Some of these videos provide subtle friendly messages (such as the video Strong Choices) whilst others provide experiences that are only suitable by viewing by mature audiences (due to the use of mature language, graphic images and either inferred or direct references to suicide). Browse the content below to find the video(s) that best suit your needs.
Video Quicklinks
Video Quicklinks
- What is Cyberbullying? (USA)
- Cyberbullying Advice and Analysis (USA)
- Strong Choices (Australia)
- Terrible Texts (USA)
- Cyberbullying: Going Viral (USA)
- Online Gaming & Cyberbullying (USA)
- A #NoTagsWithoutPermission Story: Cyberbullying via tagging on social networks (Spain)
- Stand Up To Cyberbullying (USA)
- Cyberbullying: Seeking Help - Facebook Bullying & Childline (United Kingdom)
- Peer Pressure & Cyberbullying (USA)
- Cyberbullying / Bullying (USA) *
- Let's Fight It Together (United Kingdom) *
- The Cyberbullying Virus (Canada)
- BackMeUp (Australia)
- Laugh At It You're Part Of It (United Kingdom)
What is Cyberbullying?
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) interviews students to define what constitutes cyberbullying and to discuss instances of cyberbullying that they or their friends have experienced.
It discusses cyberbullying via the following question prompts (that are ideal for use in using for classroom discussion):
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz Teens website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video.
After watching the first video schools should discuss that:
It discusses cyberbullying via the following question prompts (that are ideal for use in using for classroom discussion):
- What is cyberbullying?
- Why do people cyberbully?
- Have you or someone you know ever been cyberbullied? If so, how?
- What would you do if you have been cyberbullied?
- Why is cyberbullying a bad idea?
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz Teens website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video.
After watching the first video schools should discuss that:
- cyberbullying is against the law (and show the relevant legislation for your country)
- mobile phone operators should have procedures in place for (i) requests for a change the number for the person being bullied, and (ii) once police have become involved, action may be taken against the bully’s phone account (e.g. blocking their account).
Cyberbullying Advice & Analysis
This video (created by Common Sense Media) is a good introduction to approaching the discussion of cyberbullying with students as it discusses various aspects of cyberbullying, including listing the participants to be:
However, after watching the other cyberbullying videos further below, students should then be able to readily identify that those affected by cyberbullying also extends to include the:
The video also promotes that to combat/prevent cyberbullying, parents and teachers should:
- a cyberbully/ies
- a victim(s)
- a bystander(s)
- those who join in the cyberbullying
- those who stand up for the cyberbully/ies, and
- those who stand up for the person/people being cyberbullied.
However, after watching the other cyberbullying videos further below, students should then be able to readily identify that those affected by cyberbullying also extends to include the:
- parent(s)/guardian(s) of the cyberbully
- parent(s)/guardian(s) of the victim(s)
- organisation/institution/school where the victim and cyberbully attends
- teacher(s) and coordinator(s) who may become aware of the cyberbullying or who may even have the victim(s) and cyberbully/ies in the same classroom/year level/school
- principals/heads of school
- police (if necessary).
The video also promotes that to combat/prevent cyberbullying, parents and teachers should:
- Teach respect: Post and comment responsibility and apologise immediately if students do something that is inappropriate.
- Encourage empathy: If students can understand what someone else is going through then they are far less likely to bully another a person or standby if someone else is being bullied.
- Speak Up: Students should tell a trusted adult should something occur.
Strong Choices
Strong choices is a video from Stay Smart Online (Australia) that discusses the strong choices people need to make when using their mobile phone (digital citizenship).
The friendly and upbeat presentation of the video is great for introducing to children the concept of inappropriate videos going viral and the consequences that can result from such acts, without the mature themes normally contained in such educative videos.
Click on the image below to watch the video from the original source (opens in a new window).
The friendly and upbeat presentation of the video is great for introducing to children the concept of inappropriate videos going viral and the consequences that can result from such acts, without the mature themes normally contained in such educative videos.
Click on the image below to watch the video from the original source (opens in a new window).
Terrible Texts
This animated video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) is a good introduction to how children and teenagers should deal with unwanted or mean text messages.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (discussion guides and activities).
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (discussion guides and activities).
Cyberbullying: Going Viral
Following on the the videos above, this animated video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) hypothesises on how cyberbullying could easily happen if an embarrassing image or video of someone goes viral, without the mature themes normally contained in such educative videos.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (discussion guides and activities).
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (discussion guides and activities).
Online Gaming & Cyberbullying
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) contains dialogue with students of various ages discussing their experiences with online gaming, including whether they play against/with people they know or those who are strangers.
The video also contains question prompts that are ideal for discussing as a class, including:
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video.
The video also contains question prompts that are ideal for discussing as a class, including:
- How much time do you spend gaming? (Digital Media Literacy: Digital vs Real Life Balances)
- Do you play with people you know in real life or people you meet online? (Online Grooming)
- What do you do if somebody bullies you in a game? (Digital Citizenship: Cyberbullying)
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video.
A #NoTagsWithoutPermission Story: Cyberbullying via tagging on social networks
These animated videos (created by Friendly Screens) are great conversation starters about responsible tagging of others when using social networking sites.
Activities after watching the video could include locating any existing tagging options on the social networking sites that the students use and could extend to the writing of persuasive texts/emails or the creation of online petitions to help the #NoTagsWithoutPermission campaign.
Activities after watching the video could include locating any existing tagging options on the social networking sites that the students use and could extend to the writing of persuasive texts/emails or the creation of online petitions to help the #NoTagsWithoutPermission campaign.
Stand Up To Cyberbullying (OnlineLineGuard USA)
Unlike the anti-cyberbullying videos contained below, this video is a great way to introduce the anti-cyberbullying message to young students as it contains messages on how to act when students experience cyberbullying and the content is presented in a manner suitable to younger audiences.
Cyberbullying: Seeking Help (Childline UK)
The following videos discuss some student's unfortunate experiences of being cyberbullied via social media and on mobile phones and how they sought help via the online/phone UK service Childline. It serves as a good avenue to teach children about the various alternatives that are available for seeking help and advice when they experience cyber safety or cyber bullying issues.
Click on the images below to watch each video (opens in a new window to the original source of the videos) and then discuss the various methods (listed immediately below the videos) that children can use to respond to instances of cyberbullying and when experiencing other cybersafety issues.
Click on the images below to watch each video (opens in a new window to the original source of the videos) and then discuss the various methods (listed immediately below the videos) that children can use to respond to instances of cyberbullying and when experiencing other cybersafety issues.
Peer Pressure & Cyberbullying
This video serves as a good discussion launcher regarding how important it is not to succumb into peer pressure to cyberbully others. It also serves as a good reminder to educators and parents how quickly things can escalate when using multi-tasking digital devices in today's world.
Cyberbullying/Bullying
This straight to the point brutal look video (created by the American Bar Association Section of Antitrust Law) about cyberbullying & bullying contains a foreword by Beverly Hills 90210 actor Matt Lanter.
Permission should be sought before viewing this video with students as it contains adult language ("slut", "bitch", "fat", "pig") and the school students being told over a school's public announcement system that the student has committed suicide.
Permission should be sought before viewing this video with students as it contains adult language ("slut", "bitch", "fat", "pig") and the school students being told over a school's public announcement system that the student has committed suicide.
Video © 2010 The American Bar Association Section of Antitrust Law
Cyberbullying via Creating Websites
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) discusses the concept of students creating websites about other students or that use images of other students for unethical reasons, acts that would also constitute cyberbullying and potential copyright and cyber crimes when using unauthorised images of children.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (activity cards).
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (activity cards).
The Impact of Bullying & Cyberbullying
This edited version of an episode of the popular television series Friday Night Lights demonstrates how bullying can escalate to cyberbullying and the many parties that can be impacted due to this escalation, including the victim, their friends, families and even the family of the bully/cyberbully.
This video is a part of the free K-12 digital citizenship and cyber safety education program; Common Sense on E-rate and CIPA: Toolkit for Teachers. Click here to register and then access the rest of the lessons and units via the the scope and sequence here.
Click on the image below to watch the video from it's original source (opens in a new window). An associated lesson plan for the video can be accessed here.
This video is a part of the free K-12 digital citizenship and cyber safety education program; Common Sense on E-rate and CIPA: Toolkit for Teachers. Click here to register and then access the rest of the lessons and units via the the scope and sequence here.
Click on the image below to watch the video from it's original source (opens in a new window). An associated lesson plan for the video can be accessed here.
Let's Fight It Together
Childnet's Let's Fight It Together is a short film with supporting teaching materials created to highlight how technology can be misused, leading to cyberbullying, as well as providing guidance about how to promote and develop a culture of confident technology users.
The video has an inference that the child being cyberbullied commits suicide and it is only when his parents watch his video blog to they realise what has occurred and action is taken against the culprits. Due to this mature theme, permission from a head of school and parents should be gained before watching it with students.
Watch the video below and then access the extension resources for 'Let's Fight It Together' here.
The video has an inference that the child being cyberbullied commits suicide and it is only when his parents watch his video blog to they realise what has occurred and action is taken against the culprits. Due to this mature theme, permission from a head of school and parents should be gained before watching it with students.
Watch the video below and then access the extension resources for 'Let's Fight It Together' here.
The Cyberbullying Virus
The Cyberbullying Virus (created by Strutt Central) is a unique look at the issue of cyberbullying. equating it to virus, whereby its signs and symptoms may not always be able to be see by all and affects people differently. These signs and symptoms (both visible and invisible) should be discussed after watching the video..
It is interesting to also discuss that the Canadian Disease Control Prevention collects data on the effects of cyberbullying.
It is interesting to also discuss that the Canadian Disease Control Prevention collects data on the effects of cyberbullying.
The Australian Human Rights Commission’s BackMeUp
Over the last few years The Australian Human Rights Commission have held 'BackMeUp', an anti-cyberbullying video competition for 13-17-year-olds, aimed at helping teenagers overcome cyberbullying.
The videos must use key BackMeUp messages, promoting for bystanders to act and stand up for those being cyberbullied (as bystanders are often present online when bullying occurs and when bystanders intervene, bullying is likely to stop).
Click here or on the image below to watch the videos submitted by schools, including the 2013 winning entries (opens in a new window to the videos on the original source of the video).
As there is no competition in 2014, schools could continue to spread the key messages of BackMeUp within their school by running their own internal competition. Click here to access the 2013 submission guidelines.
The videos must use key BackMeUp messages, promoting for bystanders to act and stand up for those being cyberbullied (as bystanders are often present online when bullying occurs and when bystanders intervene, bullying is likely to stop).
Click here or on the image below to watch the videos submitted by schools, including the 2013 winning entries (opens in a new window to the videos on the original source of the video).
As there is no competition in 2014, schools could continue to spread the key messages of BackMeUp within their school by running their own internal competition. Click here to access the 2013 submission guidelines.
Laugh At It You're Part Of It
Combining watching anti-bullying videos with role playing drama activities can be an effective way of getting the digital citizenship message across to students.
Childnet have provided the following video to encourage young people to create their own responses to cyberbullying to lead to students changing their negative attitudes in regards to instances cyberbullying. View the documentary below and hopefully it will inspire others to devise their own dramatic anti-bullying projects.
Childnet have provided the following video to encourage young people to create their own responses to cyberbullying to lead to students changing their negative attitudes in regards to instances cyberbullying. View the documentary below and hopefully it will inspire others to devise their own dramatic anti-bullying projects.
Tagged
Tagged (developed by ACMA, Australia) is a video (recommended for students 14+) supported by lesson plans and character interviews demonstrating the very real threat that cyberbullying and sexting plays in the modern school environment, where mobile phones and social media can have disastrous effects on students.
Watch the video below and access the lesson resources here. Cybersmart has also made the video available in five languages widely spoken throughout the Australian community: Arabic, Italian, Greek, Vietnamese and simplified Chinese.
Watch the video below and access the lesson resources here. Cybersmart has also made the video available in five languages widely spoken throughout the Australian community: Arabic, Italian, Greek, Vietnamese and simplified Chinese.
Video © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2014
Additional Information
The following authorities and other organisations provide guidance and assistance for people under the age of 18 who are being affected or know someone being affected by cyberbullying:
Australia:
New Zealand
USA
Canada
The following authorities and other organisations provide guidance and assistance for people under the age of 18 who are being affected or know someone being affected by cyberbullying:
Australia:
- Police - Ring 000 for immediate assistance
- Kidshelpline - Ph 1800 55 1800
- eHeadspace - Ph 1800 650 890
- Lifeline - Ph 13 11 14
- Australian Federal Police - Report abuse form
- ACMA Hotline - Report illegal or offensive web content
- Leadspace
- BeyondBlue
- HeadsUp
New Zealand
- Police - Ring 111 or Text 111 for immediate assistance
- What's Up - New Zealand - A telephone counselling service for young New Zealanders. Provides information about The Kids Help Foundation Trust and What's Up's services, policies, and procedures. Also includes publications, press releases and newsletters, and information on how to get involved in What's Up.
- Ring 999 for immediate assistance
- Childline 0800 1111 - 24-hour help line for children and young people.
- Samaritans - A counselling service for people in the United Kingdom and Ireland, providing 24 hour, 7 day a week support. People that need help can call, email, or write a letter to volunteers.
- Make an online report to Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)
- Safer Internet Centre - 0844 381 4772
USA
- Ring 911 for immediate assistance
- Covenant House Nineline, USA - A free, confidential, 24 hour, 7 day a week counselling service for young people in the United States. Offers email and phone counselling, as well as an online forum. Also provides information on issues affecting young people
Canada
- Ring 911 for immediate assistance
- Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) is Canada's only free, national, bilingual, confidential and anonymous, 24-hour telephone and online counselling service for youth.
Sexting
Sexting, whilst originally defined as sending text messages containing sexually explicit content, has also extended to include the taking and/or sending/forwarding of images or videos of a sexual nature or suggesting as such, to others via mobile phone, app, chat, social networking or email. Such occurrences can result in devastating outcomes, including police becoming involved.
Young people are often unaware that sexting can be regarded as the production of child pornography. If the photo, video or text is of/about someone under the age of 18, it may be considered child pornography. For people under 18, sexting is illegal. It is a criminal offence to take, possess, or transmit a naked image of a person under the age of 18 years. It does not matter if a child took their own photo and willingly sent or published it; no-one can ‘give someone permission’ to break the law. Penalties for these offences are serious and can result in a child being placed on the sex offenders’ register.
Identification of child pornography is a critical incident requiring immediate reporting to Victoria Police SOCIT/SOCA unit. Most federal and state governments should have produced step-by-step guides to assist schools to respond to inappropriate online incidents (e.g see the guide for Victoria, Australia).
Sextortion
The term “sextortion” generally refers to the crime of extortion involving sex-related digital photos. When users distribute sexting photos and they fall into the wrong hands, sextortion victimises someone by demanding money, property, sex, or some other “service” from the person and threatening to harm him or her if the demand isn’t met. When digital photos are involved, the harm being threatened is often extreme embarrassment or loss of reputation through exposure or distribution of the person’s photos.1
The following videos are a combination of animated videos for younger audiences and real-life videos (with actors) for more mature audiences. Read the following article about parents discovering instances of sexting on their children's phones, watch the videos below depicting student experiences when sexting has gone wrong, and discuss what students have learnt whilst watching each video.
In addition to the video resources below, schools should download 'Picture This' (created by Childnet UK), a 25-minute play script and lesson plans that seek to educate and enlighten young people about the consequences of creating and sending indecent images.
Video Quicklinks
Young people are often unaware that sexting can be regarded as the production of child pornography. If the photo, video or text is of/about someone under the age of 18, it may be considered child pornography. For people under 18, sexting is illegal. It is a criminal offence to take, possess, or transmit a naked image of a person under the age of 18 years. It does not matter if a child took their own photo and willingly sent or published it; no-one can ‘give someone permission’ to break the law. Penalties for these offences are serious and can result in a child being placed on the sex offenders’ register.
Identification of child pornography is a critical incident requiring immediate reporting to Victoria Police SOCIT/SOCA unit. Most federal and state governments should have produced step-by-step guides to assist schools to respond to inappropriate online incidents (e.g see the guide for Victoria, Australia).
Sextortion
The term “sextortion” generally refers to the crime of extortion involving sex-related digital photos. When users distribute sexting photos and they fall into the wrong hands, sextortion victimises someone by demanding money, property, sex, or some other “service” from the person and threatening to harm him or her if the demand isn’t met. When digital photos are involved, the harm being threatened is often extreme embarrassment or loss of reputation through exposure or distribution of the person’s photos.1
The following videos are a combination of animated videos for younger audiences and real-life videos (with actors) for more mature audiences. Read the following article about parents discovering instances of sexting on their children's phones, watch the videos below depicting student experiences when sexting has gone wrong, and discuss what students have learnt whilst watching each video.
In addition to the video resources below, schools should download 'Picture This' (created by Childnet UK), a 25-minute play script and lesson plans that seek to educate and enlighten young people about the consequences of creating and sending indecent images.
Video Quicklinks
- Information Travels (USA)
- Show Me Your Battery (USA)
- Send This Instead App (Canada)
- Sexting Safety Tips 1, 2 & 3 (Spain)
- News Report: Police Investigation (USA)
- Digital Privacy Music Video (USA)
- With Friends Like These (United Kingdom)
- Think Before You Post (USA)
- Tagged (Australia) *
- Exposed (United Kingdom) *
- Sexting: Megan's Story (with prompts) (Australia) *
Information Travels
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) contains dialogue with students of various ages discussing the concept of how quickly information can spread, including inappropriate images (sexting), texts and general profile posting.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video.
Show Me Your Battery
This animated video (created by That's Not Cool) revolves around a discussion between two calculators, with one talking about how he has asked his girlfriend multiple times to send him 'exclusive pictures'; ones without her protective case on (as depicted below). It asks the question, 'Is it OK to pressure someone for nude pics?".
The presentation of the topic may make this video suitable for use with young children. Click here or on the image below to access the video (opens in a new window).
The presentation of the topic may make this video suitable for use with young children. Click here or on the image below to access the video (opens in a new window).
Send This Instead App
The “Send this Instead” app for iOS & Android (created by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection Inc.) gives people another option when they are under pressure to send intimate images of themselves online.
The app was designed by asking people, “What would you say if someone asked you to send images you didn't want to?” and then taking their answers to develop the app. The options to send instead are witty, sarcastic and meant to help get the point across – using humor as a strategy.
Should someone succumb to the pressure to send an intimate image of themselves and wish to remove it, they should visit NeedHelpNow.ca which provides easy-to-follow guidance on steps they can take to try to solve the problem.
The app was designed by asking people, “What would you say if someone asked you to send images you didn't want to?” and then taking their answers to develop the app. The options to send instead are witty, sarcastic and meant to help get the point across – using humor as a strategy.
Should someone succumb to the pressure to send an intimate image of themselves and wish to remove it, they should visit NeedHelpNow.ca which provides easy-to-follow guidance on steps they can take to try to solve the problem.
Sexting Safety Tips 1, 2 & 3
The following series of three animated videos (created by Friendly Screens) are a good way to introduce the topic of sexting to a younger audience. Although the animations contain appearances of cartoon nipples and are sure to set off giggling amongst a group of young students, they are much more suitable than other more mature videos contained further below.
News Reports: Sexting Investigations
Whilst the videos contained further below use actors and emotive music to promote against sexting, sometimes a real-life example of a sexting issue being investigated by police at a school can be the most compelling vehicle. This news report from America also shows what most anti-sexting videos do not; how a school's reputation can be tarnished by a sexting incident.
Digital Privacy Music Video
This music rap video (created by That's Not Cool) raises the digital citizenship issues of online harassment by boys who constantly text, Facebook stalk and request their girlfriends to send inappropriate images.
After watching the video, students respond to this clip by creating their own music videos to promote digital citizenship videos.
Click here or on any of the images below the access the video (opens in a new window).
After watching the video, students respond to this clip by creating their own music videos to promote digital citizenship videos.
Click here or on any of the images below the access the video (opens in a new window).
With Friends Like These
This video and associated lesson plans (created by the South West Grid for Learning) aims to raise awareness in young people of the consequences of sharing and publishing images of others.
The resource:
Note: The terms 'slut' and 'slapper' are used in this film.
Click on the image below to view or download the video from it's original source (opens in a new window) and click here to access the associated lesson resources.
The resource:
- demonstrates that seemingly small actions quickly gain momentum and get out of control
- challenges the way young people publish images of others without any thought of accountability and explores how these actions can affect the relationships and dynamics within a social group
- attempts to explore not only the technologies themselves but how the various parties feel about the incident and the impact that it has on them.
Note: The terms 'slut' and 'slapper' are used in this film.
Click on the image below to view or download the video from it's original source (opens in a new window) and click here to access the associated lesson resources.
Think Before You Post
Think Before You Post (created by The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children®) was one of the first videos created to warn children about the dangers of sexting. Watch this video in combination with the others further below.
Exposed
Exposed is a film from the UK (created by Ceop) educating teenagers on the risks of photo sexting (taking and sending nude selfies). The film focuses on a the resultant fallout and the internal monologue/dialogue between two versions of the same protagonist.
Video: CEOP is a command of the National Crime Agency © Crown Copyright
Sexting: Megan's Story (with prompts)
ThinkUKnow Australia created the following video that contains question prompts throughout the storyline, allowing teachers to use the video as a lesson plan to discuss the legal and personal ramifications of sexting.
Cyber Predators / Online Grooming
The following selection of videos and a disturbing interactive game have been designed for different age ranges to discuss the concept of online grooming, stranger danger and cyber predators. Some are rather creepy and alarming, with most likely needing permission from heads of school and/or parents before being shown to students.
Video Quicklinks
Video Quicklinks
- Online Gaming or Online Grooming? (USA)
- ACTF - Noah and Saskia: Who is Max Hammer? (Australia)
- Meeting Offline (USA)
- Wise Up To It (Australia) *
- Cyberia - Expect The Unexpected (Australia) *
- Virtual Global Taskforce (United Kingdom) *
- Internet Safety - Newsround Caught In The Web (United Kingdom) *
- Julie's Journey (USA)
- Amy's Choice (USA)
- Consequences (United Kingdom) *
- Matt Thought He Knew / Claire Thought She Knew (United Kingdom) *
- Tom's Story (United Kingdom) *
- NetSmartz Agents Interactive Game (United Kingdom) *
Online Gaming or Online Grooming?
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) contains dialogue with students of various ages discussing their experiences with online gaming, including whether they play against/with people they know or those who are strangers.
The video also contains question prompts that are ideal for discussing as a class, including:
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video.
The video also contains question prompts that are ideal for discussing as a class, including:
- How much time do you spend gaming? (Digital Media Literacy: Digital vs Real Life Balances)
- Do you play with people you know in real life or people you meet online? (Online Grooming)
- What do you do if somebody bullies you in a game? (Digital Citizenship: Cyberbullying)
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video.
ACTF - Noah and Saskia: Who is Max Hammer?
This video (from the Australian Children's Television Foundation program Noah and Saskia) portrays how people can react when they have met someone online that they feel a connection with. Teachers should also discuss the role that friends can play when they are told that someone wants to go and meet an online friend in the real world.
Meeting Offline
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) contains dialogue with students of various ages discussing their thoughts about meeting people offline without the mature themes normally contained in such educative videos.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the associated activity cards.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the associated activity cards.
Wise Up To It
Wise up to IT (created by ACMA, Australia) focuses around four young people who tell their stories about cyberbullying, online stalking, internet security and online grooming. Their stories explain what happened and how they dealt with the situation.
As the Wise up to IT site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, view the video below (provided on YouTube by the original distributors of the DVD) and then access transcripts and discussion questions from here.
As the Wise up to IT site is currently experiencing technical difficulties, view the video below (provided on YouTube by the original distributors of the DVD) and then access transcripts and discussion questions from here.
Cyberia - Expect The Unexpected (For Mature Audiences Only)
Watch this alarming film made students at Thornbury High School discussing their views on the issues around cyber safety (clicking on the image opens a new window to the original source).
Virtual Global Taskforce
Virtual Global Taskforce (created by ThinkUKnow Australia) is a good video to introduce the concept of chatting to strangers and internet predator danger to children. This video could be used by itself of combine with the 'Internet Safety - Newsround Caught In The Web' video below.
Jigsaw
Jigsaw (created by the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) is a cybersafety video that contrasts a person's online actions to those you normally wouldn't do in real life.
Throughout the video school children are interviewed and asked a question about sharing personal information in real life. The online to real-life contrasts are then made, with creepy cyberstalker consequences.
Throughout the video school children are interviewed and asked a question about sharing personal information in real life. The online to real-life contrasts are then made, with creepy cyberstalker consequences.
Survivor Diaries
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) contains the "survival" stories of two students who had the unfortunate experience of meeting someone from the online world in the real world who then turned out to be an paedophile. Unlike the videos contained below, this video contains less creepy actors and mature content so it may be deemed more appropriate to show to students given the right circumstances.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the associated activity cards.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the associated activity cards.
Internet Safety - Newsround Caught In The Web
This part animated, part real-life video (with actors) teaches young children about various cybersmart concerns including:
Due to the animations and the narration teacher may find it suitable for use in middle or upper primary settings.
- Keeping password safe (eSecurity)
- Responding to cyberbullying (cyber safety)
- Unhealthy use of computers and the development of computer addictions (digital media literacy)
- Online predators (cyber safety)
Due to the animations and the narration teacher may find it suitable for use in middle or upper primary settings.
Julie's Journey
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) discusses one girl's experience of running away with someone who she had met online, who then turned out to be a convicted murderer. The adult was then also charged with kidnapping of a child (her).
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (activity cards).
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (activity cards).
Amy's Choice
This video (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) discusses one girl's experience of finding an adult online that she could connect with and who 'understood her'. She then ran away with the adult she had met online, who was then charged with 'taking a child over state lines'. it is a good video to raise that children should discuss their problems with trusted adults and peers.
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (activity cards).
Click on the image below to access the video on the NetSmartz website (opens in a new window). From there you can also download the video and associated lesson resources (activity cards).
Consequences (For Mature Audiences Only)
This creepy video (created by the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) is told through the eyes of a cyber predator (an actor) as he uses information students have posted online to trace their movements and blackmail them into doing things that they are uncomfortable with. The actor also discusses what the student could be doing to get out of the situation but wasn't. The video finishes with the student involved solving the problem and sharing her thoughts.
Matt Thought He Knew / Claire Thought She Knew (For Mature Audiences Only)
Matt Thought He Knew and Claire Thought She Knew (created by the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre as part of the ThinkUKnow UK initiative) are cybersafety videos highlighting the very real dangers of internet chat, talking with strangers, sending nude selfies to others online, meeting strangers in real life and cyber predators.
Tom's Story (For Mature Audiences Only)
Tom's Story (created by the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre as part of the ThinkUKnow UK initiative) is a video highlighting the dangers of chatting and meeting up with strangers. The underlying inference of a rape occurring in the video (not depicted) means that advice should be sought from a head of school and parental consent should be given before viewing with students.
NetSmartz Agents
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Boys & Girls Clubs of America have created an interactive game called NetSmartz Agents that allows players to take on the role of a young child who investigates the disappearance of a friend (another child) who may have been taken by cyber predator.
Players travel throughout various parts of Washington DC to find and process clues to help track down the missing child. Profiles of fictional suspects are based on the types of cyber predators that use various online methods to gain personal information for stalking purposes.
Note: Should players get stuck in the first minute of the game, simply click on the 'Map' button to select the next destination.
Players travel throughout various parts of Washington DC to find and process clues to help track down the missing child. Profiles of fictional suspects are based on the types of cyber predators that use various online methods to gain personal information for stalking purposes.
Note: Should players get stuck in the first minute of the game, simply click on the 'Map' button to select the next destination.
Additional Information
The following authorities and other organisations provide guidance and assistance for people under the age of 18 who are being affected or know someone being affected by online stalkers / grooming / predators:
Australia:
New Zealand
United Kingdom
USA
Canada
The following authorities and other organisations provide guidance and assistance for people under the age of 18 who are being affected or know someone being affected by online stalkers / grooming / predators:
Australia:
- Police - Ring 000 for immediate assistance
- Kidshelpline - Ph 1800 55 1800
- eHeadspace - Ph 1800 650 890
- Lifeline - Ph 13 11 14
- Australian Federal Police - Report abuse form
- ACMA Hotline - Report illegal or offensive web content
- Leadspace
- BeyondBlue
- HeadsUp
New Zealand
- Police - Ring 111 or Text 111 for immediate assistance
- The Online Child Exploitation Across New Zealand (OCEANZ) team is a specialist Police unit. It works as part of an international taskforce, the Virtual Global Taskforce, to protect children from online child abuse.
United Kingdom
- Ring 999 for immediate assistance
- Childline - 0800 1111
- Make an online report to Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)
- Internet Watch Foundation - The UK hotline for reporting criminal online content
- Safer Internet Centre - 0844 381 4772
USA
- Ring 911 for immediate assistance
- CyberTipline - The CyberTipline® receives leads and tips regarding suspected crimes of sexual exploitation committed against children. More than 2.5 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation have been made to the CyberTipline between 1998 and June 2014
- Girls & Boys Town USA - A leader in the treatment and care of abused, abandoned and neglected girls and boys in America. Includes information on parenting, kids and teens, training and a hotline chat room
- National Child Sexual Abuse Helpline - Darkness to Light: 1-866-FOR-LIGHT (866-367-5444) - Darkness to Light provides a toll-free number for individuals living in the United States who need local information and resources about sexual abuse. Any individual, child or adult who needs resources about sexual abuse can call the Helpline
- The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline - 1-800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453) - The Childhelp National Abuse hotline is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. Serving the United States, its territories, and Canada. The Hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with professional crisis counselors who, through interpreters, can provide assistance in 170 languages
- Stop It Now! - 1-888-PREVENT (888-773-2362) - Stop It Now! provides a National Helpline for adults living in the United States who are concerned for the safety of a child and don't know what to do. The helpline is available Monday 12-3pm, Thursday 1-4pm, and Fridays 12-3pm.
Canada
- Ring 911 for immediate assistance
- Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) is Canada's only free, national, bilingual, confidential and anonymous, 24-hour telephone and online counselling service for youth.
- The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline - 1-800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453) - The Childhelp National Abuse hotline is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. Serving the United States, its territories, and Canada. The Hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with professional crisis counselors who, through interpreters, can provide assistance in 170 languages.
Tertiary (University Undergraduates & TAFE Students)
Cyber Security Challenge Australia (CySCA) is an online competition that is open to tertiary students to solve challenging information security problems to score points. The activity provides participants with an opportunity to gain insights into various job roles and tasks involved in the information security industry (e.g. performing certification validations, testing for vulnerabilities, performing forensics and providing advice to clients), allowing them in a fun and competitive environment to consider taking on a career in information security.
Watch the video below to learn more about the 2014 Cyber Security Challenge Australia (CySCA).
Watch the video below to learn more about the 2014 Cyber Security Challenge Australia (CySCA).
Video © Telstra 2014
Downloadable Programs/Posters/Brochures/Booklets
KidZui: A Child-Friendly Internet Browser
KidZui is a free downloadable internet browser for Windows where children can safely browse millions of children’s websites, online games, videos, and pictures that have been pre-screened by editorial staff, teachers, and parents.
KidZui also contains a built-in safe search engine that also provides images alongside the search results and the option to receive a weekly email containing weekly activity reports for monitoring what your child has been doing on the internet.
KidZui also contains a built-in safe search engine that also provides images alongside the search results and the option to receive a weekly email containing weekly activity reports for monitoring what your child has been doing on the internet.
Kido'z
Kido'z is a solution for Windows PCs and Android phones & tablets for turning them into child-friendly and safe devices for playing and learning.
Kido'z contains:
Depending on your device it comes in either a free, free trial or paid version.
Watch the video below to see Kido'z for Android in action:
Kido'z contains:
- Password-protected access to prevent children from exiting out of child-mode
- Kido'z Browser: A safe internet browser moderated by Kidoz and controlled by parents
- Kido'z TV: Age-appropriate videos
- Kido'z Play: Age-appropriate apps and games
- Kido'z Places & Friends: An adult approved social network of friends
- Kido'z Mail: A moderated email account.
Depending on your device it comes in either a free, free trial or paid version.
- For Windows PCs it comes two versions: Kido'z Plus 3 7-days trial (Adobe Air Installer) and Kido'z 2.1 (Downloadable installer)
- For Android devices it comes in a free/lite and full version.
Watch the video below to see Kido'z for Android in action:
Hector's World Safety Button TM
The Hector's World Safety Button TM is a simple floating dolphin tool that young children can click on should they encounter anything that makes them feel uncomfortable when using the internet, that simply covers the screen and asks for them to seek advice from an adult (parent or teacher).
The Hector's World Safety Button TM is free and can be downloaded for Mac and Windows PCs here.
The Hector's World Safety Button TM is free and can be downloaded for Mac and Windows PCs here.
Cyber Safety Help Button
The Australian Government's Cybersafety Help Button provides internet users, particularly children and young people, with easy online access to cybersafety information and assistance available in Australia.
Clicking on the button opens avenues for counselling, reporting of cyberbullying, unwanted contact, scams and fraud, and offensive or inappropriate material.
The help button is a free application that is easily downloaded onto personal computers, mobile devices, and school and library networks. If you would like to see where the button takes you before deciding to download it, visit the cybersafety help and advice page. Young people should get permission from their parents or caregivers before downloading the button. Click here to download and install the button.
Clicking on the button opens avenues for counselling, reporting of cyberbullying, unwanted contact, scams and fraud, and offensive or inappropriate material.
The help button is a free application that is easily downloaded onto personal computers, mobile devices, and school and library networks. If you would like to see where the button takes you before deciding to download it, visit the cybersafety help and advice page. Young people should get permission from their parents or caregivers before downloading the button. Click here to download and install the button.
Cybersmart Screen Savers & Desktop Backgrounds
Cybersmart (by ACMA) have created a series of age-specific screen savers and desktop to promote cybersmart tips in schools, homes and libraries.
The screen savers are available for PC and Mac. Desktop backgrounds are available for use on PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices.
Click here to access ACMA's content or create your own school-wide competition to design desktop backgrounds and/or screen savers to promote cybersmart education in your school.
The screen savers are available for PC and Mac. Desktop backgrounds are available for use on PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices.
Click here to access ACMA's content or create your own school-wide competition to design desktop backgrounds and/or screen savers to promote cybersmart education in your school.
Hector's World ® Webcam Covers
Hector's World ® also provides downloadable webcam covers to cover computer webcams and to teach children about how and when web cameras can be accessed by others.
A variety of webcam covers featuring the different characters from Hector's World ® are available.
A variety of webcam covers featuring the different characters from Hector's World ® are available.
Cybersafety Activities For Juniors
The following resources (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) are perfect for use with junior years students to reinforce key cybersafety messages. Click on the relevant image below to find the right resource(s) for your needs.
NetSmartz Chatterbox
Guided Reading Cybersmart Education 'Choose An Issue' Resources
Whilst many providers of cybersmart resources have generally good online content, NetSmartz (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) presents their information in a clear and concise manner, making it ideal for use by students in small group reading and individual/paired activities., teachers and parents.
As depicted in the image below, users can click on the area of interest (e.g. File Sharing) to access easy-to-understand information, tips, discussion starters and additional resources *such as related videos, activity cards, handouts, presentations and issues). Click here to access the free resources from the parent & guardian's page. |
Cybersafety Posters/Brochures
ACMA
ACMA offers DVDs, posters, brochures and magnets free of charge (some are available in multiple languages) to Australian residences (for not-for-profit purposes). These resources are great for the classroom, the whole school and use in the home.
Some of the brochures and posters can be downloaded for free from here (PDF). They are perfect for use during reading rotations (i.e. read one of the brochures and then create a poster advertising the main ideas) and during small group reading sessions (i.e. reading the Cybersmart Guide For Families and monitoring for student and whole group comprehension).
Free hard-copies of DVDs, posters, brochures and magnets can also be ordered. View the resource guide here and then visit the request resources section here.
Some of the brochures and posters can be downloaded for free from here (PDF). They are perfect for use during reading rotations (i.e. read one of the brochures and then create a poster advertising the main ideas) and during small group reading sessions (i.e. reading the Cybersmart Guide For Families and monitoring for student and whole group comprehension).
Free hard-copies of DVDs, posters, brochures and magnets can also be ordered. View the resource guide here and then visit the request resources section here.
NetSmartz Tip Sheets
NetSmartz (created by the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) provides great tip sheets that can be downloaded for free from here (PDF).
They are perfect for use during reading rotations as individual or paired activities or in small group reading scenarios, or even as classroom posters.
They are perfect for use during reading rotations as individual or paired activities or in small group reading scenarios, or even as classroom posters.
Microsoft
Microsoft offers a variety of free downloadable cyber safety brochures, fact sheets and tip cards, as well as online cyber safety presentations.
Click here to access the Microsoft website to access and download their brochures and here for the presentation materials.
Click here to access the Microsoft website to access and download their brochures and here for the presentation materials.
Childnet International
Childnet International provide some downloadable cyber smart education brochures, including:
Stop. Think. Connect. TM 'Keep a Clean Machine' Posters
STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ is a global cybersecurity awareness campaign to help all digital citizens stay safer and more secure online.
As part of the campaign, posters that are specifically aimed at promoting the concept of eSecurity can be downloaded for free here.
As part of the campaign, posters that are specifically aimed at promoting the concept of eSecurity can be downloaded for free here.
The Australian Attorney-General's Department
The Australian Attorney-General's Department has published the second edition of the Protecting Yourself Online booklet and the Protecting Your Identity booklet.
These booklets are great for reading during small group reading sessions (i.e. reading and monitoring for student and whole group comprehension) or for simply being made available as classroom reading materials for independent reading time.
They are also valuable as reading material for parents as they cover a wide range of cybersmart education areas.
These booklets are great for reading during small group reading sessions (i.e. reading and monitoring for student and whole group comprehension) or for simply being made available as classroom reading materials for independent reading time.
They are also valuable as reading material for parents as they cover a wide range of cybersmart education areas.
Cybersmart Education Units and Lessons
The content analysed above (online interactive objects, filters/controls, downloadable content and videos) should be combined to develop sound cybersmart education lessons and units so that students have the knowledge, skills and abilities to by cybersmart whilst embracing the use of ICT to enhance their learning and life experiences.
There are also a myriad of bodies who have designed free cybersmart units and lessons and have made them available to the general public (but not all cover all four areas of cybersmart education). Browse the following section to find resources from all around the world to support the development and implementation of a sound cybersmart program.
There are also a myriad of bodies who have designed free cybersmart units and lessons and have made them available to the general public (but not all cover all four areas of cybersmart education). Browse the following section to find resources from all around the world to support the development and implementation of a sound cybersmart program.
Primary/Elementary
Lower Years
Lower Years Units by ACMA
- Cyber Safety: Fiction vs Real Online Identities | Sharing Personal Information Online
- Digital Citizenship:
- Digital Media Literacy:
- eSecurity:
Hector's World Lessons
- Cyber Safety: Your Personal Information Online
- Digital Citizenship: Cyberbullying
- eSecurity: Computer Security
- Digital Media Literacy:
Hector's World Videos with Lessons
- Digital Media Literacy: Story 2
- Cyber Safety: Story 1 | Story 2 | Story 4 | Story 5
- Digital Citizenship: Story 6
- eSecurity: Story 4 | Story 5 | Story 7
Zippep's Astro Circus Lessons, Activities and Term Project for the Interactive Resource
- Cyber Safety: Trust | Cybersafety Interview | Poster | Tell | Hide | Interesting | Keep
- Digital Citizenship: Friendship Interview | Poster | Name Calling
- Digital Media Literacy:
- eSecurity:
Common Sense Media - eRate K-2 Units, Lessons & Assessments (To access the content users must register first)
- Digital Media Literacy: Unit 1 - A-B-C Searching | Unit 1 - Creative Work | Unit 2 - Follow The Digital Trail | Unit 2 - Using Keywords | Sites I Like | Unit 3 - My Online Community | Unit 3 - Things For Sale | Unit 3 - Writing Good Emails
- Cyber Safety: Unit 1 - Going Places Safely Online | Unit 1 - Keep It Private | Unit 1 - Sending Email | Unit 2 - Staying Safe Online | Unit 3 - Powerful Passwords
- Digital Citizenship: Unit 2 - Screen Out The Mean | Unit 3 - Show Respect Online
- eSecurity:
The Southwest Grid for Learning (SWGfL) Units - Key Stage 1
Foundation & Year 1:
- Digital Media Literacy: A-B-C Searching | My Creative Work
- Cyber Safety: Going Places Safely | Sending Email
- Digital Citizenship:
- eSecurity: Keep It Private
Year 2:
- Digital Media Literacy: Using Keywords | Using Keywords
- Cyber Safety: Staying Safe Online
- Digital Citizenship: Screen Out the Mean
- eSecurity: Follow the Digital Trail
Cyber Teach Toolkit - Safe and Responsible Use of Digital Technology (DEECD) - Prep
- Digital Media Literacy: What's Real?
- Cyber Safety: Protecting My Online Identity
- Digital Citizenship: Cyberspace Manners
Cyber Teach Toolkit - Safe and Responsible Use of Digital Technology (DEECD) - Years 1-2
- Digital Media Literacy: What's Real?
- Cyber Safety: Protecting My Online Identity | Protecting My Online Privacy
- Digital Citizenship: Cyberspace Manners | Understanding Cyberbullying
Safe For 7-11 Year Olds - Safe is a programme of practical activities that develop young people's skills, self-confidence and safety awareness when using social networking sites. Designed to work on safe social networks, the free materials and teacher resources will enable a school to easily deliver engaging activities and develop digital literacy skills.
Middle Years
Effective Curriculum Ideas Unit
- Digital Media Literacy: Learning & Obeying Copyright Laws: Copyright, Creative Commons & The Public Domain
Middle Years Units by ACMA
- Digital Media Literacy: Symbols & Avatars | Finding Appropriate Online Content
- Cyber Safety: Sharing Personal Information
- Digital Citizenship: Cyberbullying | Digital Citizenship | Balancing Online Time | Positive Online Communications
Common Sense Media - eRate Gr 3-5 Units, Lessons & Assessments (To access the content users must register first)
- Digital Media Literacy: Unit 1 - The Key to Keywords | Unit 2 - How to Cite a Site | Unit 2 - Picture Perfect | Unit 3 - Selling Stereotypes
- Cyber Safety: Unit 1 - Private & Personal Information | Unit 2 - Strong Passwords | Unit 3 - Talking Safely Online | Unit 3 - Privacy Rules
- Digital Citizenship: Unit 1 - Ring of Responsibility | Unit 1 - The Power of Words | Unit 1 - Whose Is It, Anyway? | Unit 2 - Digital Citizenship Pledge | Unit 3 - Super Digital Citizenship | Unit 3 - What's Cyberbullying?
- eSecurity: Unit 2 - You've Won A Prize
The Southwest Grid for Learning (SWGfL) Units - Key Stage 1
Year 3:
- Digital Media Literacy: My Online Community | Things for Sale
- Cyber Safety:
- Digital Citizenship: Show Respect Online | Writing Good Emails
- eSecurity: Powerful Passwords
The Southwest Grid for Learning (SWGfL) Units - Key Stage 2
Year 4:
- Digital Media Literacy: The Key to Keywords
- Cyber Safety:
- Digital Citizenship: Rings of Responsibility | The Power of Words | Whose Is It, Anyway?
- eSecurity: Private and Personal Information
Cyber Teach Toolkit - Safe and Responsible Use of Digital Technology (DEECD) - Years 3-4
- Digital Media Literacy: What's Real?
- Cyber Safety: Protecting My Online Identity | Protecting My Online Privacy
- Digital Citizenship: Respect | Protecting Myself From Cyberbullying
Safe For 7-11 Year-Olds - Safe is a programme of practical activities that develop young people's skills, self-confidence and safety awareness when using social networking sites. Designed to work on safe social networks, the free materials and teacher resources will enable a school to easily deliver engaging activities and develop digital literacy skills.
Upper Years
Effective Curriculum Ideas Unit
- Digital Media Literacy: Learning & Obeying Copyright Laws: Copyright, Creative Commons & The Public Domain
Upper Years Units by ACMA
Topics:
- Digital Media Literacy: Symbols & Avatars | Authenticity of Web-based Information | Appropriate Online Content
- Cyber Safety: Sharing Personal Information | Cyber Safety
- Digital Citizenship: Cyberbullying | Digital Citizenship | Positive Online Communication
Common Sense Media - eRate Gr 6-8 Units, Lessons & Assessments (To access the content users must register first)
- Digital Media Literacy: Unit 1 - Digital Life 101 | Unit 1 - Strategic Searching | Unit 2 - My Media | Unit 2 - Gender Stereotypes Online | Unit 3 - Identifying High-Quality Sites | Unit 3 - The Reality of Digital Drama
- Cyber Safety: Unit 1 - Scams & Schemes | Unit 2 - Safe Talk Online | Unit 2 - Which Me Should I Be? | Unit 3 - Trillion Dollar Footprint
- Digital Citizenship: Unit 1 - Cyberbullying: Be Upstanding| Unit 1 - A Creator's Rights | Unit 2 - A Creator's Responsibilities | Unit 3 - Cyberbullying: Crossing The Line | Unit 3 - Rework, Reuse, Remix
The Southwest Grid for Learning (SWGfL) Units - Key Stage 2
Year 5:
- Digital Media Literacy: Picture Perfect
- Cyber Safety:
- Digital Citizenship: Digital Citizenship Pledge | How to Cite a Site
- eSecurity: Strong Passwords | You've Won a Prize!
Year 6:
- Digital Media Literacy: Selling Stereotypes
- Cyber Safety: Talking Safely Online
- Digital Citizenship: Super Digital Citizen | What's Cyberbullying?
- eSecurity: Privacy Rules
Cyber Teach Toolkit - Safe and Responsible Use of Digital Technology (DEECD) - Years 5-6
- Cyber Safety: Protecting My Online Identity | Protecting My Online Privacy | Who Am I Online? Who Are My Friends Online?
- Digital Citizenship: Respect | Protecting Myself From Cyberbullying
Safe For 7-11 Year Olds - Safe is a programme of practical activities that develop young people's skills, self-confidence and safety awareness when using social networking sites. Designed to work on safe social networks, the free materials and teacher resources will enable a school to easily deliver engaging activities and develop digital literacy skills.
Secondary/High School
CyberFIT by ACMA
Common Sense Media - eRate Gr 6-8 Units
Topics:
The Southwest Grid for Learning (SWGfL) Units - Key Stage 3
Year 7:
Year 8:
Year 9:
Cyber Teach Toolkit - Safe and Responsible Use of Digital Technology (DEECD) - Years 7-8
Safe For 11-16 Year-Olds - Safe is a programme of practical activities that develop young people's skills, self-confidence and safety awareness when using social networking sites. Designed to work on safe social networks, the free materials and teacher resources will enable a school to easily deliver engaging activities and develop digital literacy skills.
Advanced Project for 14-19 Year Olds by Chlidnet International - A course of 4 lessons that challenge pupils to create an e-safety resource for their chosen target audience.
Cyber Teach Toolkit - Safe and Responsible Use of Digital Technology (DEECD) - Years 9-12
Common Sense Media - eRate Gr 9-12 Units, Lessons & Assessments (To access the content users must register first)
The Southwest Grid for Learning (SWGfL) Units - Key Stages 4/5
Years 10-13:
- Digital Media Literacy: Language
- Cyber Safety: Creating a better internet
- Digital Citizenship: Creating a better internet | Cyberfit goals |Online
- eSecuity: Strong passwords
Common Sense Media - eRate Gr 6-8 Units
Topics:
- Digital Media Literacy: Unit 1 - Digital Life 101 | Unit 1 - Strategic Searching | Unit 2 - My Media | Unit 2 - Gender Stereotypes Online | Unit 3 - Identifying High-Quality Sites | Unit 3 - The Reality of Digital Drama
- Cyber Safety: Unit 1 - Scams & Schemes | Unit 2 - Safe Talk Online | Unit 2 - Which Me Should I Be? | Unit 3 - Trillion Dollar Footprint
- Digital Citizenship: Unit 1 - Cyberbullying: Be Upstanding| Unit 1 - A Creator's Rights | Unit 2 - A Creator's Responsibilities | Unit 3 - Cyberbullying: Crossing The Line | Unit 3 - Rework, Reuse, Remix
The Southwest Grid for Learning (SWGfL) Units - Key Stage 3
Year 7:
- Digital Media Literacy: Digital Life 101 | Strategic Searching | Cyberbullying: Be Upstanding
- Cyber Safety:
- Digital Citizenship: Cyberbullying: Be Upstanding
- eSecurity: Scams and Schemes
Year 8:
- Digital Media Literacy: My Media | Gender Stereotypes Online
- Cyber Safety: Safe Online Talk
- Digital Citizenship: A Creator's Responsibilities | Which Me Should I Be?
- eSecurity:
Year 9:
- Digital Media Literacy: Trillion Dollar Footprint | Identifying High-Quality Sites | The Reality of Digital Drama
- Cyber Safety:
- Digital Citizenship: Cyberbullying: Crossing the Line | Rework, Reuse, Remix
- eSecurity:
Cyber Teach Toolkit - Safe and Responsible Use of Digital Technology (DEECD) - Years 7-8
- Cyber Safety: Protecting My Online Identity | Protecting My Online Privacy | Who Am I Online? Who Are My Friends Online?
- Digital Citizenship: Respect | Protecting Myself From Cyberbullying
Safe For 11-16 Year-Olds - Safe is a programme of practical activities that develop young people's skills, self-confidence and safety awareness when using social networking sites. Designed to work on safe social networks, the free materials and teacher resources will enable a school to easily deliver engaging activities and develop digital literacy skills.
Advanced Project for 14-19 Year Olds by Chlidnet International - A course of 4 lessons that challenge pupils to create an e-safety resource for their chosen target audience.
Cyber Teach Toolkit - Safe and Responsible Use of Digital Technology (DEECD) - Years 9-12
- Cyber Safety: Protecting My Online Identity | Protecting My Online Privacy | Who Am I Online? Who Are My Friends Online?
- Digital Citizenship: Protecting Myself From Cyberbullying
Common Sense Media - eRate Gr 9-12 Units, Lessons & Assessments (To access the content users must register first)
- Digital Media Literacy: Unit 1 - Digital Life 102 | | Unit 2 - Who Are You Online? | Unit 4 - Retouching Reality | Unit 4 - Collective Intelligence
- Cyber Safety: Unit 1 - Oops! I Broadcast It on the Internet | Unit 1 - Feeling On Display | Unit 2 - Risky Online Relationships | Unit 3 - What's the Big Deal about Internet Privacy? | Unit 4 - Does it Matter Who Has Your Data?
- Digital Citizenship: Unit 1 - Copy Rights and Wrongs | Unit 1 - Turn Down the Dial on Cyberbullying and Online Cruelty | Unit 2 - My Online Code | Unit 2 - Building Community Online | Unit 2 - Overexposed: Sexting and Relationships | Unit 3 - Rights, Remixes and Respect | Unit 3 - Taking Perspectives on Cyberbullying | Unit 3 - Becoming a Web Celeb | Unit 3 - College Bound | Unit 4 - Private Today, Public Tomorrow | Unit 4 - Breaking Down Hate Speech
The Southwest Grid for Learning (SWGfL) Units - Key Stages 4/5
Years 10-13:
- Digital Media Literacy: Unit 1 - Digital Life 102 | | Unit 2 - Who Are You Online? | Unit 4 - Retouching Reality | Unit 4 - Collective Intelligence
- Cyber Safety: Unit 1 - Oops! I Broadcast It on the Internet | Unit 1 - Feeling On Display | Unit 2 - Risky Online Relationships | Unit 3 - What's the Big Deal about Internet Privacy? | Unit 4 - Does it Matter Who Has Your Data?
- Digital Citizenship: Unit 1 - Copy Rights and Wrongs | Unit 1 - Turn Down the Dial on Cyberbullying and Online Cruelty | Unit 2 - My Online Code | Unit 2 - Building Community Online | Unit 2 - Overexposed: Sexting and Relationships | Unit 3 - Rights, Remixes and Respect | Unit 3 - Taking Perspectives on Cyberbullying | Unit 3 - Becoming a Web Celeb | Unit 3 - College Bound | Unit 4 - Private Today, Public Tomorrow | Unit 4 - Breaking Down Hate Speech
USA Only: Cybersmart Education Administrative Tracking Tools
This units and lessons contained in the the free K-12 digital citizenship and cyber safety education program; Common Sense on E-rate and Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA): Toolkit for Teachers, is one of four online components/courses designed by Common Sense Media and Knowledge Delivery Systems (KDS).
The total Common Sense on E-rate and CIPA suite of KDS courses (based on Common Sense Media's Toolkit on E-rate and CIPA) provides the following administrative features:
Therefore schools and districts in the USA whom if wanting to qualify for the e-rate discounts (90% off computer hardware, telecommunications and internet access) can use the suite of courses to prove that they have delivered to students education regarding online appropriate behaviour to meet CIPA's educational requirements. Click here to learn more and here to watch an easy to understand video.
The total Common Sense on E-rate and CIPA suite of KDS courses (based on Common Sense Media's Toolkit on E-rate and CIPA) provides the following administrative features:
- Provides professional development tutorials to teachers of digital citizenship.
- Tracks progress and completion rates by school or by teacher.
- Runs and exports reports to Excel.
- Verifies students have received instruction for CIPA compliance.
Therefore schools and districts in the USA whom if wanting to qualify for the e-rate discounts (90% off computer hardware, telecommunications and internet access) can use the suite of courses to prove that they have delivered to students education regarding online appropriate behaviour to meet CIPA's educational requirements. Click here to learn more and here to watch an easy to understand video.
eSecurity - Restrictions & Filters
In addition to the cybersmart interactive objects and the educative videos and units/lessons contained above, schools should also provide teachers, parents and students with pertinent information and hands-on experience in securing a range of digital devices.
Whilst digital devices within schools are generally controlled at a regional level (with school IT Administrators/Coordinators able to make changes at a local level), schools should still provide parents and students (within reason) with education about device and browser filters and restrictions.
Browse the following eSecurity sections with the heads of school, IT Administrator and IT Coordinator to determine which eSecurity information you will provide parents and which experiences your school deems would constitute sound eSecurity activities for your students.
Whilst digital devices within schools are generally controlled at a regional level (with school IT Administrators/Coordinators able to make changes at a local level), schools should still provide parents and students (within reason) with education about device and browser filters and restrictions.
Browse the following eSecurity sections with the heads of school, IT Administrator and IT Coordinator to determine which eSecurity information you will provide parents and which experiences your school deems would constitute sound eSecurity activities for your students.
Family Filters / Parental Controls
Monitor/Restrict A Child's Use of Social Networking From Anywhere
Computer and internet filtering software only monitors a child's activity on the computer it is installed on. If a child has access to their social network accounts from many locations, including a friend's house, their mobile phone, school, then how can one ensure for their child's safe and responsible use of social media?
'ProtectaChild' is a paid subscription web-based service (not a downloadable program) that allows parents/guardians to monitor their social network activity regardless of where they access the social networking tool from whilst still allowing children their privacy.
'ProtectaChild' is a paid subscription web-based service (not a downloadable program) that allows parents/guardians to monitor their social network activity regardless of where they access the social networking tool from whilst still allowing children their privacy.
As depicted in the above image, once a parent/guardian signs up to ProtectaChild and nominates their child's/children's social media accounts, the child/children must confirm/accept that their will be monitored. As part of this process, ProtectaChild promotes for parents/guardians to create an open and honest dialogue with their child/children regarding the positives and negatives of social media, using the guidelines available in the ProtectaPak information brochure.
The ProtectaChild service then automatically tracks the child's social networking sites, including Facebook, YouTube, MySpace and Twitter, using keywords and tracking for inappropriate content and then sends the parent/guardian an email alert when inappropriate words are detected.
ProtectaChild can help parents/guardians monitor their children's social networking profiles 24/7 to:
The cost of the ProtectaChild service is $14.95 per month including GST which covers up to five children within a household within the same account. Additional accounts are $14.95 per month including GST. All prices are in Australian Dollars (AUD).
Download the ProtectaPak information brochure here and sign up for their paid service here.
The ProtectaChild service then automatically tracks the child's social networking sites, including Facebook, YouTube, MySpace and Twitter, using keywords and tracking for inappropriate content and then sends the parent/guardian an email alert when inappropriate words are detected.
ProtectaChild can help parents/guardians monitor their children's social networking profiles 24/7 to:
- Understand their child's/children's behaviour in social networks and how to watch for trouble (parents/guardians are alerted when adult "friends" follow their child/children, or when their child/children become friends with someone who has no other friends in common
- Check daily and weekly reports of their child's/children's online activity including, photos posted, number of new friends added, and any adults added as friends outside the "network"
- See the full context of potentially dangerous posts so that parents/guardians can decide whether or not additional action is required to protect their child/children
- Identify patterns of inappropriate postings
- See who their children's "friends" are
- And, most importantly, create a relationship with their child/children based on better understanding of some of the issues they face daily.
The cost of the ProtectaChild service is $14.95 per month including GST which covers up to five children within a household within the same account. Additional accounts are $14.95 per month including GST. All prices are in Australian Dollars (AUD).
Download the ProtectaPak information brochure here and sign up for their paid service here.
Monitor/Restrict A Windows PC
Windows 8/8.1
Family Safety is a free program within Windows 8/8.1
Family Safety lets parents know which websites their children have visited and which apps and games they've used. Parents can also choose to block or allow specific websites or other content, and even limit the amount of time they can spend on the PC.
Visit Microsoft's guide to setting up Family Safety on a Windows 8/8.1 PC here and CNET's guide here.
Windows 7
Click here to access a guide to explain how to install the parental controls on a Windows 7 PC.
Family Safety is a free program within Windows 8/8.1
Family Safety lets parents know which websites their children have visited and which apps and games they've used. Parents can also choose to block or allow specific websites or other content, and even limit the amount of time they can spend on the PC.
Visit Microsoft's guide to setting up Family Safety on a Windows 8/8.1 PC here and CNET's guide here.
Windows 7
Click here to access a guide to explain how to install the parental controls on a Windows 7 PC.
Family Friendly PC/Mac Monitoring/Filtering Software (Australia)
The Internet Industry Association ensures that Australian ISPs (Internet Service Providers) provide a Family Friendly Filter which has undergone rigorous independent testing to ensure that it meets the criteria as set out in the IIA Codes.
Click here to access and download/purchase various the IIA approved Family Friendly Filters (such as Symantec Online Family Friendly Norton Version 4.0).
Click here to access and download/purchase various the IIA approved Family Friendly Filters (such as Symantec Online Family Friendly Norton Version 4.0).
Family Friendly PC/Mac Monitoring/Filtering Software (Europe)
The four biggest internet providers in the UK (BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media) provide their customers with free parental controls which can be activated at any time.
Click here or on the image to the left to access their video guides to help you to download and set-up the controls offered by your provider.
Click here or on the image to the left to access their video guides to help you to download and set-up the controls offered by your provider.
The Safer Internet Program III is a website funded by the European Commision to help parents and child carers all around the world to choose the appropriate parental control tool(s) that best fits their needs.
Users simply visit the search tool, choose their device, operating system, age of the child, language and whether they prefer free or paid solutions.
Solutions are analysed for their effectiveness, usability and security and given scores for each of these areas ranging from 0 to 4, with 4 points standing for excellent and 0 points standing for poor.
Click here to see a sample search for parental controls for a Windows 8 PC being used by children 12 years and under.
Users simply visit the search tool, choose their device, operating system, age of the child, language and whether they prefer free or paid solutions.
Solutions are analysed for their effectiveness, usability and security and given scores for each of these areas ranging from 0 to 4, with 4 points standing for excellent and 0 points standing for poor.
Click here to see a sample search for parental controls for a Windows 8 PC being used by children 12 years and under.
Securing Digital Devices (PC/Mac/Android/iOS/Chromebooks)
eSecurity extends beyond installing filters and parent controls. Use the following weblinks to navigate to access user guides explaining how to further secure an array of digital devices:
- Setting up restrictions on an iOS device
- Disabling/Restricting in-app purchases on iOS devices
- Enable password protection for purchases on Android devices
- Securing Android devices and Chromebooks
- Securing your computer
- Securing your mobile phone & devices
- Anti-virus software: AVG Antivirus Free (PC | Mac | Android)
- Anti-virus & anti-malware software: Avira (Free)
- Anti-virus & anti-malware software: aVast! Home Edition Free (PC | Mac)
- Malware Bytes (anti-malware software)
- Anti-Malware Software For Windows 8/8.1 - Windows Defender is pre-installed
- Microsoft Security Essentials For Windows 7 & Vista
- CCleaner for PC or Mac (cleans/clears a computer's cache and cookies to reduce the chances of the storage of data that could be used for tracking purposes).
Securing Internet Browsers
To learn how to install and set-up parental controls/filters for popular internet browsers follow the links below:
Australia only: To view further details about ISP web-filters please click here.
- Setting up Internet Explorer's Content Advisor
- Installing parent control filters in Mozilla Firefox
- Installing parent controls for Google Chrome
- Blocking explicit results from the Bing! search engine
- Set up YouTube Safety Mode
- Securing Google Search
- Setting up Yahoo SafeSearch
- Deleting internet history and tracing cookies from all internet browsers
Australia only: To view further details about ISP web-filters please click here.
Professional Development Providers
The resources reviewed above are provided by various governmental bodies around the world to help students and educators to learn and/or teach others about cybersmart education. However, some schools and parents may find that they need additional support in understanding the size of scope of cybersmart education. Therefore, contained below are a variety of international providers of online and face-to-face workshops and professional development opportunities.
Use the following links to find the professional development opportunities, both free and paid, relevant to your country:
Use the following links to find the professional development opportunities, both free and paid, relevant to your country:
- International (available for everyone)
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- United States of America.
International
MediaSmarts Online PD For Educators - International
MediaSmarts, Canada's centre for digital and media literacy, offers a paid series of downloadable web awareness workshops.
The workshops can be purchased individually or as a package of six and address:
Each workshop includes:
An individual school licence for the complete package of all six workshops costs $CA300 or individual workshops costs $CA170, excluding applicable taxes and is available to educators outside of Canada (international licence fees are payable in Canadian dollars or U.S. dollars at the current U.S./Canadian exchange rates).
- Cyberbullying: Encouraging ethical online behaviour
- Safe Passage: Teaching kids to be safe and responsible online
- Kids for Sale: Online privacy and marketing
- Fact or Folly: Authenticating online information
- Growing with the Net: The Early Years (Ages 4-12)
- Growing with the Net: The Teen Years (Ages 13-17)
Each workshop includes:
- A Flash tutorial version with audio (for self-directed learning)
- A PowerPoint presentation with speaking notes (for group delivery), and
- A Workshop Guide with background information
An individual school licence for the complete package of all six workshops costs $CA300 or individual workshops costs $CA170, excluding applicable taxes and is available to educators outside of Canada (international licence fees are payable in Canadian dollars or U.S. dollars at the current U.S./Canadian exchange rates).
Australia
Connect.ed (Online PD For Educators) - Australia
Image © Commonwealth of Australia and ACMA
Connect.ed (by ACMA) consists of a series of online professional development learning activities exclusively designed to assist teachers to be able to stay current in their cyber safety knowledge and issues
The learning activities cover cyberbullying, sexting, excessive internet use, mobile use, e-security, managing your digital reputation and digital profiling, presented through a combination of surveys, case studies, real life scenarios.
Register as an ACMA Cybersmart user here and then click here to enrol online.
The learning activities cover cyberbullying, sexting, excessive internet use, mobile use, e-security, managing your digital reputation and digital profiling, presented through a combination of surveys, case studies, real life scenarios.
Register as an ACMA Cybersmart user here and then click here to enrol online.
Image © MediaSmarts
Cyber Safety PD For Educators - Australia
Image © Commonwealth of Australia and ACMA
ACMA offer free accredited workshops (half or full days) for staff bodies on or offsite and for individuals offsite. The workshops can be customised to suit each schools needs.
Click here to learn more about the modules that each workshop can consist of and then click here to register.
Click here to learn more about the modules that each workshop can consist of and then click here to register.
Cybersmart Education Presentations/Incursions for Students and/or Parents (Australia)
ACMA
ACMA also offer internet safety awareness presentations for parents, students and teachers.
Each presentation is approximately one hour in length excluding question time. Click here to learn more. To book a session for a presentation schools must register online here and then click here to access online resources to get your school community ready for the presentation/workshops. |
ThinkUKnow
ThinkUKnow Australia is a partnership between Think You Know. the Australian Federal Police, Microsoft Australia & Datacom and is supported by the Northern Territory Police, Queensland Police Service, South Australia Police, Tasmania Police, Western Australia Police, Neighbourhood Watch Australasia and ninemsn.
ThinkuKnow Australia provide free professional development training sessions for parents, carers and teachers. Watch a promotional video for their services here. To book a PD session use their online booking tool, download a booking information pack or ring 1300 362 936 (during business hours). |
Project RockIt
Project RockIt is an Aussie youth driven movement against cyberbullying.
Project Rockit offers a variety of paid workshops to both primary and secondary schools, including:
Click here to access detailed overviews of each session as well as booking instructions. |
United Kingdom
The South West Grid For Learning Online Safety Team delivers free two-hour E-Safety Live briefings covering a broad range of online safety subjects, changes, research and resources. The briefings are primarily aimed at senior leaders and those with a safeguarding responsibility but also to anyone working with children and young people. Click here to see the scheduled sessions.
The South West Grid For Learning Online Safety Team delivers a wide range of paid (with additional travel expenses extra) on-site E-Safety sessions to organisations that work with children and young people. For schools, academies, colleges (indeed any organisation who work with children), sessions are tailored to meet the particular audience . Click here to learn more and to book a session,
Schools can also purchase 'Boost', an innovative online safety toolkit for schools which also contains access for cybersmart education webinars (renewable payment each academic year). This unique toolkit includes:
Schools can also purchase 'Boost', an innovative online safety toolkit for schools which also contains access for cybersmart education webinars (renewable payment each academic year). This unique toolkit includes:
- SWGfL Whisper: An anonymous reporting link on a school's website for students, parents and family to anonymously report issues to the relevant school authorities
- SWGfL Alerts: Which monitors a school's online presence and mentions on social media applications and the internet
- Generation Safe™: An incident response toolkit and flowchart.
Additional Resources
Digital Media Literacy (Teachers and parents should definitely read these to be literate in the digital technologies that children are using)
Cyber Safety & Digital Citizenship
eSecurity
- 6 Messaging Apps That Let Teens Share (Iffy) Secrets by Common Sense Media
- A Parent's Ultimate Guide to YouTube by Common Sense Media
- Becoming familiar with the online games that children play by ACMA
- About the Technology - By ACMA's
- Social Networking & Online Gaming Comparison Overview Tables by ACMA
- Social Networking Sites Designed For Young Children (Ages 7-11) by Common Sense Media
- Instagram or Vine? 5 Things to Know If Your Kids Are Sharing Videos by Common Sense Media
- Technology addiction articles - How Much is Too Much? | CandyCrush | I.M.P.R.O.V.E tool to assess your internet usage
- Teaching children to become mobile savy by ACMA
- Website cyber security/smart/safety seals for parents - 1 | 2
- MediaSmarts - Canada's Centre For Digital Media Literacy
Cyber Safety & Digital Citizenship
- Misuse and Legal Consequences - The Law (Victoria, Australia)
- A Principal's and Teacher's Guide to Responding Inappropriate Digital Behaviour Site 1 | Site 2 (Victoria, Australia)
- Podcast / Online Audio - BBC's Radio 4 - You & Yours
- Like, post, share - Young Australians’ experience of social media - A survey conducted by ACMA with easy to read graphs, a survey worth replicating in any classroom
- Anti-Cyberbullying information by Childline (United Kingdom)
- Childnet's 'Guide to responding to cyberbullying on different social networking sites'
- The process for removing information posted by someone about you on social networking sites (Australia)
- Confronting cyberbullying—a parent’s story by ACMA
- New York City Department of Education - Social Media Guide For Students 13 And Older
- AIMIA Digital Policy Group - Keeping Australians Safe Online Cyber-safety resource
- Sexting - NeedHelpNow.ca - Should someone succumb to the pressure to send an intimate image of themselves and wish to remove it, they should visit NeedHelpNow.ca which provides easy-to-follow guidance on steps they can take to try to solve the problem
- Sexting - So You Got Naked Online Brochure by South West Grid for Learning (United Kingdom)
- Sexting Advice For Parents by ACMA (Australia)
- Talking to Your Kids About Pornography by MediaSmarts (Canada)
- Safer Internet Day (Australia | US | Canada | England)
- Stay Smart Online Week (Australia)
- R U OK Day?
- National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (Australia)
- Cyberbullying - Facts For Kids by ACMA (Australia)
- Bravehearts (Australia)
- Bully Stoppers (Australia) - Schools can apply for grants for up to $10,000 to improve/ upskill bystanders and raise awareness that bullying is unacceptable here.
- Bullying - No Way! (Australia)
- Let's Take A Stand Together (Australia)
- Be Bold. Stop Bullying (Australia)
- National Centre Against Bullying (Australia)
- Alannah and Madeline Foundation - Say Something campaign
- BeatBulling (UK)
- Mind Matters - Supporting Australian secondary schools to promote and protect student mental health and well-being
eSecurity
- My Secure Cyberspace by Carnegie Mellon University
- Data Privacy Day - January 28 by Stop. Think. Connect. TM
- Keep A Clean Machine Campaign by Stop. Think. Connect. TM
- Get Safe Online - Comprehensive eSecurity Advice
- Learn about viruses, malware & botnets
- Learn about spam & phishing
- Learn about hacked accounts
- Learn about securing your home network.