LODDON MALLEE - Cyber Safe Kids

MESSAGES FROM PARENTS REGARDING YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE
INTERNET
Finally, as in the case of the students, parents were asked in open ended questions what was the
best thing and the worst thing about the internet for young people and what they believed
young people needed to know about being on the internet.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT THE INTERNET?
The themes that emerged in answer to what is the best thing about the internet were: access to
unlimited information and resources for school work and research, communication, and
freedom.
Some direct quotes were: “the internet offers a window to the world,” “access to the world‟s
largest library,” “research for school, we live in an isolated area and getting to a library is
difficult” and “global communication.”
WHAT IS THE WORST THING ABOUT THE INTERNET?
The themes that emerged in answer to what is the worst thing about the internet were: games,
cyber bullying, addictive and time wasting, too much access and too much information,
predators, that information (personal or otherwise) may be used against them at a later date,
reduction of other activities and reduction of face to face social interactions.
Some direct quotes were: “discussing their problems with friends and having this information
used against them at a later time,” “Once the send button is pressed the email has gone and may
be misinterpreted by someone else. Also a bully can seem to be right in your home if they
choose to email or contact someone through facebook etc,” and “isolation, misinformation and
inactivity.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK KIDS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE INTERNET
The themes that emerged in answer to what do you think kids need to know about the internet
were: that kids need to know how to keep safe, not to put their personal information online, not
to get involved with strangers, and that that they can report bullying. Some direct quotes were:
“safety, safety, safety. How to discern reputable sites and how to communicate safely,” “they
should know the dangers of giving their personal details to people they meet. Also they should
be aware of how easy it is for other people to gain their trust and tell them lies”
49 LMCP Bendigo Region Report