Janice Atkin, the Reach Out Pro Teachers Network Project
Manager, writes about Safer Internet Day...
Yesterday marked Safer Internet Day in more than 50 countries
across the world. The day promotes safer use of online technology
and in particular the Internet and mobile phones. This year's theme
was ThinkB4Upost. The focus is on educating
children and young people in particular to take care when posting
personal information, photos and stories on social networking
sites.
Many people using social networking sites post information or
photos of themselves without thinking about the repercussions. Many
young people and adults who are new to using social networking
sites don't realise that once a photo, image or comment is posted
on a site it is published forever.
Often the terms and conditions of a social networking site state
that any content uploaded on the site becomes the property of the
website, this is the case with Facebook. This means that Facebook
can use images, comments and other content in any way the like.
With most people using their full names as their identity when
registering for a social networking profile it creates another
issue. Prospective employers are now doing Google searches on
applicants for jobs to see if they have any skeletons in the
closet. Might not be a good outcome if your prospective employer
sees those photos from the party on the weekend!
Social networking sites also have the ability for other people
to post pictures of you online and tag your name against them, once
again identifying you to anyone who has access to their
content.
So, what do you need to think about before you post online.
Here's some tips that will keep your personal info and images safe
online.
- Always be selective about what you publish and who you allow to
see it
- Choose an identity that is non-gendered + anonymous where
possible
- Adjust your privacy settings to 'friends only'. This is
particularly important on Facebook as the default for new content
is for everyone to be able to view it.
- Never post content that might identify where you live, work,
hang out or go to school
Group photos are safer than individual photos but always make
sure that anyone in your photo is happy to have it published online
and always ask them if they are happy to be tagged in the photo
before you do it.
Always ask yourself "Would you be OK with a prospective employer
seeing this content?" before you press the publish button. Once its
published its hard to get it removed. And most importantly...
never share your login and password with
others.
Join the discussion
Do you have any experiences with personal information that was
published online without permission?
What steps have you taken to protect yourself online?
What advice do you give to young people you work with about how
they can protect themselves online?