Online Safety Information in Australia
With the growing use of the Internet, online safety is becoming more important. This section covers some important online safety information. Read on to learn more about staying safe online.
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Online safety is very important when using the Internet. This section covers some very important online safety information.
The Internet Industry Association
TPG promotes positive user relations with the Internet Industry. To this end, TPG as a company promotes awareness of the Internet Industry Codes of Practice. The codes of practice are registered with The Australian Communications and Media Authority and are monitored by them as well.
About the IIA
The Internet Industry Association or IIA is Australia’s largest online industry group. Members of this association include: web developers, e-commerce traders and solutions providers, insurance underwriters, Internet law firms, ISPs, educational and training institutions, Internet research analysts, banks, systems solutions providers, hardware vendors, content creators and publishers, and a large number of other businesses who provide technical and professional support services. The IIA as a whole offers policy input to the government and advocates on a number of regulatory issues. It promotes laws and initiatives which improve access, reliability, growth and equity of the Internet in Australia.
Contacting the IIA
If you feel that the IIA code of practices have been breached, you can contact the IIA at the following address:
PO Box 3986,
Manuka
ACT 2603 Australia
Phone: (02) 6232 6900
Fax: (02) 6232 6513
Email: info@iia.net.au
About the ACMA
The Australian Communications and Media Authority, or ACMA, is an independent federal statutory authority. The ACMA is responsible for the regulation of free-to-air radio and television, Pay TV, digital broadcasting and Internet content in Australia.
The ACMA works in conjunction with the Internet industry to ensure that Australians have a positive online experience.
If you are unhappy with the content of a website, you should first contact the website owner and express your views. The owner will let you know how they intend to deal with your complaint. If you are dissatisfied with their response, or they do not respond within 60 days, you may contact the ACMA with your complaint.
Contacting the ACMA
Postal Address:
PO Box Q500,
Queen Victoria Building
NSW 1230 Australia
Phone: 1800 226 667 (Australia only)
Fax: (02) 9334 7799
Email: mailboxbroadcasting@acma.gov.au
Stay Smart Online
Stay Smart Online is an Australian government initiative. It aims to provide all Australian users with practical tips and advice for online safety.
Filtering and Control Software
If you are concerned about illegal and/or offensive content, you can manage your children’s use of the Internet with the help of filtering and control software. This software will filter out any offensive material and will not display it.
The following content filtering software is included on the list of Family Friendly Filters approved by the Internet Industry Association:
- AOL PARENTAL CONTROL
- ARLINGTON CUSTOM BROWSER
- CONTENT KEEPER
- CYBER PATROL
- CYBER SENTINEL
- CYBERSITTER
- EYEGUARD
- INTERNET SHERIFF
- I-GEAR
- NET NANNY
- N2H2
- TOO C.O.O.L
- WEBSENSE
- SMART FILTER
- X-STOP
You can click on the link to go to the relevant website, where you will be provided with instructions for downloading and using the software.
General Safety Tips
Most Internet programs such as email, online banking, etc. require passwords. For security purposes you should change your password regularly. You should never write down your password at an easily accessible area. Your password should be a combination of letters, numbers and special symbols (such as %,^, *,#). Do not use an obvious password such as your username, name or date of birth.
Chat Rooms
Chat rooms are a place on the Internet where people with similar interests can meet and discuss online. The messages in a chat room appear instantly and can be viewable by everyone in the room, or can be a private message viewable by only the sender and the intended receiver.
Chat rooms can be a potential danger for children. A few guidelines should be followed, especially those discussed in the online safety section below for children.
Internet Safety For Kids
This section is for kids. Children are growing used to technology and the Internet, and it’s becoming a part of their lives. The following safety tips will help you stay safe online and in chat rooms:
- Never reveal personal details that could be used to locate you. These include details such as your real name, address, phone number, parents’ names or the name of your school.
- If you see something on the screen that is disturbing, inform your parents, teacher or friends.
- If you see or hear your friends doing something in a chat room that is not safe, remind them of what they should do to stay safe.
- If you do not like a particular chat room or you read things that are disturbing, leave it and go to another chat room.
- Chat rooms are a fun way to talk to new people. However, you need to remember that not everything people say in a chat room is true. People often pretend to be someone else, or make up little things. Use your own judgment and common sense to decide whether or not to believe something that is being said.
- If you make a new friend online, let your parents and friends know. It is important that they understand who you are spending time with.
- If you are going to meet an online friend in person, let your parents know. It is important that they know who you are going to meet, and when and where you will meet them.
Chat rooms are fun to use, but it is important to stay safe at the same time.
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