The pace of change in the technology industry has reached breakneck speeds. It seem that every day a new app or game or website pops up with the potential to put the children in our care at risk.
Even the apps we know and trust – like Facebook, Instagram, or Youtube – are in constant flux. New features are released, new groups are formed, and new content begins to emerge. Staying up to date with all the latest online trends can seem like a daunting task.
At Internet Safe Education, we do our best to keep our community up to date. But even we can’t stay on top of everything. As the saying goes; ‘it takes a village’.
So we’ve put together a quick list of 5 other online resource centers that you might like to bookmark. These are great places to look for answers to specific questions, keep on top of the latest news, or even report an issue should you encounter one.
Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media are a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to providing unbiased information, advice, and tools to help ensure technology remains a positive force in all kids’ lives. Their website allows parents, teachers and kids alike to review current media such as games, apps, films and more, so users can blow the whistle on something dangerous they have discovered, or scroll through and see a collection of different opinions from a range of people on something they’d like to try.
Common Sense Media is a great place to go before deciding whether or not a website, game or network is suitable for the children in your care. Plus, there are guides, resources and videos to help teachers and parents create a digital environment their kids and students can thrive in.
eSafety.gov.au
eSafety.gov.au do an outstanding job. This is the online home of The Office of The eSafety Commissioner, and they have put together an extremely comprehensive collection of resources that can help people of all ages overcome online threats and better prepare themselves for life on the internet.
As well as maintaining an active blog on the latest trends, media and threats, eSafety.gov.au allow you to report illegal content, cyberbullying, and image-based abuse (photos shared of a victim without their consent, for example). Their team will contact the social network or website directly for you, and do everything in their power to solve the issue.
Remember: you do not have to fight these threats alone.
Connect Safely
ConnectSafely.org speaks about the latest trends in security, privacy and safety from the heart of the beast: Silicon Valley.
Based in California, this nonprofit organization publishes research-based safety tips, parents’ guidebooks, advice, news and commentary on all aspects of tech use and legal policy. Truly, this is the horse’s mouth when it comes to the latest in online safety.
Connect Safely explain the risks of technologies of all types, without resorting to moral-panic or fear-mongering. This is a fantastic resource to have on standby if you’re looking for the latest news, or making up your mind about a new app or online service.
Childnet International
Now with over 20 years of experience, Childnet International is an incredible institute that aims to minimise the risks of online use for children. Childnet International work directly with children aged 3 – 18, to get right to the heart of the problem instead of pontificating from the sidelines. In fact, Childnet has spoken with hundreds of thousands of children, parents and teachers in order to develop the educational resources that they truy need to survive and thrive in the online world.
You can see some of the programmes and projects they have run over the years here.
Bullying. No Way!
Bullying. No Way! is an online repository for anti-bullying resources, managed by the Safe and Supportive School Communities (SSSC) project – coordinated by the Australian government with representatives from all states and territories, as well as Catholic and independent school communities.
With such a powerful network blowing wind in its sails, Bullying. No Way! have crafted a huge number of resources for schools. These come in the form of education resources targeted towards children of all ages, programs for the classroom, and even a definitive guide titled Launchpad.
If you’re a teacher, guardian, community member, or student, Bullying. No Way! have something for you.
