What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is repeated aggression by an individual or group against others. Cyberbullies use the internet, mobile phones and other technologies to inflict psychological harm on their targets. Cyberbullying can take so many different forms. Sending mean or threatening messages, emails, photos or video clips, posting nasty messages to social networking sites, message boards, or chat rooms, setting up fake profiles to say bad things about someone or accessing someone’s account repeatedly to make trouble for them are all part of what constitutes bullying online.
What do I do if my Child is a Victim of Cyberbullying?
Firstly, tell your child not to reply to any messages – it’s exactly what the cyberbully wants. It’s vital that any messages are kept too, it will help the investigation. Your child should also block the sender. Most sites and phone providers can help with this. On top of this, you should report the cyberbullying to school authorities or if it’s of an extremely serious nature, the gardai or hotline.ie.
What is Internet Filtering
Filtering software is primarily a computer programme which blocks access to certain websites. It is easily installed on your home computer and will ensure that the majority of unsuitable content cannot be viewed by your child. Filtering is not 100 per cent successful – some things will slip through the net – but it will help you keep your child safe online at home. Click here for more.
What is the Proper age to Allow my Child use Facebook?
Most social networking websites like Facebook do not allow users who are under the age of 13. However, in reality, many young people use these websites because the big companies have no way of verifying ages. It is up to you as a parent. If you think your child is ready, it is a good idea to supervise their access and agree rules about social networking use. For more on young people and Facebook, click here, here and here.
What is a Suitable Age to let my Child Have a Mobile Phone?
There is no right answer to this question. It very much depends on your own situation and how you feel about it as a parent. Research shows that phone users are becoming younger all the time. But that does not mean that you should compromise just because your young son or daughter wants a mobile. As a parent, you should make yourself aware of the risks that mobiles bring and also educate yourself about their use. Now, smartphones are not just phones.
Can Webwise Recommend any Safe and Secure Websites?
Why, yes we can. Click here for a list of websites which we are more than happy to recommend.
What is the key Internet Safety Advice?
Discover the internet together. Be the one to introduce you child to the web. Don’t be too critical of their exploration of the net, it’s not always their fault when they come across inappropriate content. Encourage your child to be careful when disclosing personal information online and keep the computer in a common area of the house. Report anything online you think is illegal and discuss the risks of meeting people offline that your children first met online. For more, click here.
Are There any Classes or Seminars on Internet Safety for Parents?
Yes, the National Parents Council Primary (NPC) in collaboration with Webwise run extensive internet safety seminars which will demystify the net for you. The seminars, which you can organise for your child’s school, are run by a trained NPC facilitator, who we assure you is on top of the latest fads and trends doing the school rounds. For more click here.
How do I Switch off Tagging/Facial Recognition on Facebook?
No need to explain here, just click here for our in-depth advice piece on how to switch off tagging on Facebook.
How do I Switch on Google Safe Search?
By clicking here, you’ll be able to see our video on how to switch on Google Safe Search on the computers in your home.
How do I Switch on YouTube Safety Mode?
Again, no need to explain here. Watch our video tutorial here.
What is Twitter?
Twitter is known as a micro-blogging site where users are limited to posting messages of 140 characters or less. Posting a message is known as a tweet. People make connections by following other people’s twitter feeds. Once you click follow, anything that person or organisation says will appear on your timeline. For more, click here.
What are Video Chat Websites?
Here is our article explaining what video chat websites are and how they operate.