NetAlert Internet Safety Education
About NetAlert
NetAlert was established by the Australian Government in late 1999 to provide independent advice and education on Internet safety and managing access to online content.
NetAlert is funded by the Australian Government to provide people – particularly young people and parents – with information about the issues, risks and dangers associated with using the Internet. It offers advice about how to minimise risks, avoid problems and use the Internet safely and responsibly.
NetAlert works closely with Australian Government and State agencies (particularly the Australian Broadcasting Authority), the Internet industry and community organisations in order to promote Internet safety.
NetAlert CyberSafe Schools
http://www.netalert.net.au/schools
NetAlert CyberSafe Schools is designed to assist school teachers educate students about safe and responsible use of the Internet. NetAlert CyberSafe Schools is a three year project, which will be delivered in three phases.
The NetAlert CyberSafe Schools Project has been developed by NetAlert Limited (NetAlert), Australia 's Internet safety advisory body, in response to the increasing use of the Internet in schools.
Phase one of the CyberSafe Schools project has recently been launched in schools. Materials developed for this phase include: an Internet Safety Wall Chart, an Internet Safety Quick Reference Guide and an information booklet, A Teacher's Guide to Internet Safety .
The Internet Safety Wall Chart alerts teachers to the risks of using the Internet and provides advice and strategies they can use to minimise and manage those risks. It is designed to assist in the development of the skills students need to use the Internet safely. The information on the Wall Chart draws on State and Territory curriculum documents and shows progression through the stages of schooling. The Wall Chart is double-sided so it can be used in both primary and secondary contexts.
A Teacher's Guide to Internet Safety treats the information on the Wall Chart in more detail. It contains information about the educational benefits of the Internet, advice about Internet safety and the curriculum, and the development of Internet safety skills at school that can also be transferred to Internet usage at home. It also provides extensive information about some of the potential risks for young people using the Internet and advises on strategies to reduce these.
The Internet Safety Quick Reference Guide, which is also included in A Teacher's Guide to Internet Safety , summarises the information on the Wall Chart. It is designed in a format that will allow copies to be easily made.
NetAlert has created an online resource: www.netalert.net.au/schools where the materials are available for download.
Netty's World
www.nettysworld.com.au
Netty is the star of a website designed to help young children learn about Internet safety. Netty lives on the Internet in “Netty's World” and guides children through a range of Internet safety issues via an online storybook – “Netty's Net Adventure”.
Teachers and parents are encouraged to join children in “Netty's Net Adventure” and then to further develop via discussion, the Internet safety messages presented.
Netty always wants children to enjoy themselves on the Internet and at “Netty's World”, a number of fun and interactive games exist. Each of the games reinforces the Internet safety messages presented in “Netty's Net Adventure” and have been designed to appeal to younger children just starting out on the Internet. Each game has different levels making them suited from the beginners to the experts.
Children can also become members of “Netty's Club” where offline Internet safety materials and activities are provided free on a regular basis. The club helps children stay reminded about important and relevant Internet safety messages in an enjoyable way.
Netty can be found online at: www.nettysworld.com.au
NetAlert Services
http://www.netalert.net.au/
NetAlert provides an email and telephone helpline for schools and the wider community to use offering information and advice about the benefits and hazards of the Internet. It has a particular focus on the methods (including filtering) of managing inappropriate content and providing children with safe access to the Internet. The helpline is accessible through a toll free national telephone number: 1800 880 176 and an e-mail address: enquiries@netalert.net.au .
The NetAlert website, www.netalert.net.au , is filled with advice and resources on Internet safety. Free materials such as Internet safety brochures and information sheets can be downloaded from the website or ordered through the helpline.
NetAlert also distributes a monthly enewsletter on Internet safety which can be subscribed to through the NetAlert website. A range of topics are discussed, questions answered from the helpline as well as snippets of recent news and events on Internet safety related matters. The content in the enewsletter can easily be integrated into a range of professional development programs.
f you would like further information on an Internet safety education program NetAlert is running or on Internet safety in general, please contact NetAlert through the helpline on 1800 880 176 . |
