The Internet provides an opportunity to enhance students’ learning experiences by providing access to vast amounts of information across the globe. Email communication links students to provide a collaborative learning environment and is intended to assist with learning outcomes.

However, there are undesirable potentials of the Internet that parents and supervisors should be aware of, such as:

• Cyberbullying
• Cyberstalking
• Dumping
• Stranger danger/grooming
• Inappropriate content
• Online publishing
• Psychological issues
• Scams
• Racial Hatred
• e-crime
• Identity theft
• Phishing
• Unreliable information.

To ensure the safety of students we ALL need to work together.

The Department of Education and Training:

• Filters and monitors the Internet usage of students (within the school environment only)
• Gets students to agree to an acceptable usage policy whenever using email or browsing the Internet 
• Tracks ALL emails sent and received by students and teachers
• Blocks access to free email accounts such as Hotmail.

Sydney Distance Education High School:

• Monitors forum and instant messaging posts on our online courses
• Gets students to agree to an acceptable usage policy at the beginning of each online course
• Gets students to complete a Cybersafety exercise at the beginning of each online course
• Supervises all students when they are using computers on the school premises
• Trains and informs our staff about the possible dangers of Internet usage.

Unfortunately, DET schools cannot supervise students in their own home environment. Basically, it is up to you, the parents and supervisors, to provide a safe environment for your students.

How can you do this?

• Talk to your students about what sites they visit
• Encourage your students to use the DET email account
• Read up and familiarise yourself with possible dangers
• Browse the Internet yourself
• Install a filter on your Internet access at home
• Set time limits to be on a computer
• Explain that computer use is a privilege and not a right. 

For more information please go to:

http://www.netalert.gov.au/

A federal government initiative with a lot of information and a free Internet filter.

http://www.ssovideo.net.au/video.html

Another federal government initiative to develop E-Secutiy awareness

http://www.cybersmart.gov.au

A site launched by the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) to provide advice and resources about internet use. It is targeted for parents, children, libraries and schools. 

http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/news/technology/index.php

http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/adminsupport/schtechnologies/internet/index.php

NSW DET information about Internet and email.

http://det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/cyberbullying/

A very comprehensive site about cyberbullying and related issues.