LODDON MALLEE - Cyber Safe Kids

* As there were only 11 respondents in year 11, two of which did not answer this question, this
data is not representative and must be interpreted with care.
There is an interesting discrepancy between the primary and high school students around
understanding parental and legal monitoring and behaviours on the internet. The majority of
high school students reported that their parents and the police do not monitor the internet.
Interestingly, the majority of high school students also reported that copying text from the
internet without acknowledging its source was acceptable. This is concerning as researching for
homework is one of the most common online activities of high school students.
MESSAGES FROM STUDENTS REGARDING THE INTERNET
Finally, students were asked in open ended questions what was the best thing and the worst
thing about the internet and what they believed adults needed to know about young people and
the internet.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT THE INTERNET
The themes that emerged in answer to this question were: access to information (schoolwork,
research, music, sport and general interest), communicating and chatting with friends near and
far, games, forums, YouTube, getting help, and the freedom and simplicity of the internet.
Direct quotes from students were: “emailing my sister in another state,” “chatting with
friends,” “If u need help the internet helps,” and “makes me feel free.”
WHAT IS THE WORST THING ABOUT THE INTERNET
The themes that emerged in answer to this question were overwhelmingly about cyber bullying
and harassment. Other concerns were pop ups, anyone can find you, get information about you
or put up information about you, viruses, exposure to unwanted rude or disturbing
images/videos i.e. pornography, or grotesque physical accidents, speed and reliability of
access, and that it can be addictive.
Some direct quotes from students were: “that you can be hurt badly with words,” “there is no
escape from people,” “your personal details are never safe,” “you don‟t know who you might
be talking to,” and “people hack into your account and steal passwords.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK ADULTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE INTERNET
The themes that emerged in answer to this question were predominantly that adults need to
know what websites children are visiting, what their online activities are, that they are being
bullied, that children and young people want to be kept safe and that there are many ways their
safety is being compromised. Overall, the communication was that children and young people
want to feel safe and that boundaries (in particular parents knowing what their children do)
around their online behaviours will make them feel safe.
37 LMCP Bendigo Region Report