The Top Ender Magazine June July 2023 Edition

PROJECT KARMA
DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHO YOU ARE
TALKING TO ONLINE OR ON SOCIAL MEDIA?
Unlike when your parents were your age, chatting and
playing games with friends and meeting new people is
now often through social media and online games, like
TikTok, WhatsApp, SnapChat, Twitch, Roblox and
Minecraft. You can follow and even send messages to
your favourite singer, actor, or influencer no matter
what country they live in! What seems like a whole
other world for your folks, is likely pretty normal to
you and your friends! When your parents were your
age, your grandparents were probably telling them to
‘get off get off the phone’ (because it was the only one
in the house and was probably attached to a wall with
a cord which may or may not have been long enough
to reach their bedroom).
Social media and online gaming can be fun and exciting. You
can keep up to date with your friends and the latest trends.
Most online platforms have strict safety rules in place to
protect you and the millions of young people who use them
every day, however they may not be perfect and there are
probably gaps you don’t know about.
It is important to remember that these apps and online
platforms are used by people all over the world and there can
be some dangers you or your friends don’t even realise!
Especially if you are messaging or gaming with someone you
have never met in person before. Unfortunately, there are
some people out there who may try to trick you and tell you
lies about who they really are.
So how do you know if someone online is not being truthful
about who they are and what can you look for:
Someone might not be telling the truth about who they are
and make up fake information about themselves, (like their
name or their age, even what they look like) and say things to
make you like them. They might pretend to be someone you
know, a celebrity or even someone who doesn’t exist.
They might also:
• ask you about what things you like and don’t like (such as
hobbies, sports, music or current trends) or tell you nice
things about yourself or give you gifts.
• ask about your friends, family or where you live or to
meet you in person or ask you to send them something
(like a photo or video) you are not comfortable with.
• tell you a story about how they are in trouble and need
your help, or make you feel sorry for them.
• be super friendly for weeks or even months to build up
your trust and then get angry or try to make you feel
guilty if you don’t tell them something or threaten to do
something to upset you if you don’t do what they ask.
• tell you to keep your chats with them a secret or not to
talk anyone else about them.
So, what can you do to protect
yourself and your friends and
what do you do if something
makes you uncomfortable or
seems a bit strange?
• tell your parents or another
adult you know and trust
(like a schoolteacher or
counsellor, aunty or uncle or another family member, or a
sports coach or dance teacher). Even if they might not
understand you can teach them about the social media or
online game you are using and show them what you are
worried about.
• never share information like where you live, your birthday
or photos or video’s about yourself, your family or your
friends to anyone you have never met in real life.
Remember, they may be super friendly, but they may not be
who they say they are.
• make sure your ‘online’ settings like ‘privacy’ and ‘security’ are
set so that strangers can’t connect with you or see personal
information about you (like where you live or what school
you go to). If you are not sure if your settings are keeping
you as safe as possible, check with your parents or a trusted
adult who knows (or can google) how to make your
settings a safe.
• don’t delete any chats or information from them, take
screen shots or recordings. If they are found to be ‘fake’,
having this information can help make sure they don’t
contact and lie to another young person.
• show your parents or an adult that you trust straight away
and report them to the social media or gaming app they
contacted you on.
• block or mute them so they can’t contact you again.
What is really important to remember is if this happens to
you, or if someone tricks you …. It’s never your fault! Some
people are very good at being fake and making young (and
even old) people believe them!
What’s even more important is to let someone know so that
you, your friends, or someone else you care about do not get
into situations they don’t want to be in get hurt. Telling someone
can be hard and takes courage. You may worry what your friends
or other people will think or say about you, or you will get in
trouble. Don’t stress, not only will you not likely get in trouble,
but people will be proud and grateful that you protected
yourself and helped to keep other young people safe.
You can find some great information for young people and tips
to stay safe online at the eSaftey Commissioner website: https://
www.esafety.gov.au/young-people.
Written by Lizzi Webb
Community Contributor
www.projectkarma.org.au
46 The Top Ender | Tri-Services Magazine Incorporated