Supporting Stop Cyberbullying Day

This Stop Cyberbullying Day we’re taking a moment to recognise the positive impact the Optus Digital Thumbprint program makes in empowering young people and families to participate safely online, with the tools they need for positive, responsible and authentic experiences.

Founded in 2012, Stop Cyberbullying Day is a global day of awareness and activities. On Friday 21 June, Stop Cyberbullying Day encourages and empowers millions of people around the world to show their commitment toward a truly inclusive and diverse internet. 

This important annual event is a reminder of the need to remain informed and vigilant about inappropriate behaviour online. 

With 60 per cent of internet users reported to have been exposed to bullying, abuse or harassment online, the issue deserves attention from all sectors of the community.

To help young people learn how to deal with cyberbullying, Digital Thumbprint has developed the Cyberbullying: what to do when things go wrong guide and Cyberbullying quiz.

These resources give young people the tools they need to understand what cyberbullying is; know what to do if it if happens to them; how to report cyberbullying; and how to find help if needed.

Cyberbullying is when someone uses the internet to be mean to another person, so they feel bad or upset. It can happen in apps, games, social media, or text messages and voice calls. Cyberbullying can take many different shapes for example:

·        Sending mean messages

·        Spreading rumours

·        Creating fake accounts in someone’s name to mock them

·        Sharing photos or videos of someone without permission to embarrass them

·        Posting comments online to provoke an argument or emotional reaction

·        Threatening violence over voice calls or in group chats

·        Making fun of someone’s personal attributes, like their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or how they look

·       Purposely leaving someone out

The best approach is to tell a trusted adult, parent or teacher. If it’s safe, respond to the bully and let them know that what they’re doing is not OK. Young people should avoid reacting with mean comments themselves. They should avoid forwarding or sharing offensive or harmful content. They could block, unfriend, or unfollow the bully.  They could also delete their account and start another that has trusted contacts, they should collect evidence before deleting their account.

Cyberbullies sometimes try to hack your account or set up a fake account to pretend to be the young person. They can protection themselves by:

·        Creating strong passphrases and using MFA (where available) for all online accounts

·        Don’t share login details with anyone

·        Don’t share too much personal information in public

Most apps and games have community guidelines around what behaviour is and isn’t OK, as well as how to use reporting tools. Young people are encouraged to tell a parent or trusted adult to help them to collect evidence (like screenshots); submit it to the site; and escalate if required.

For young people

• Blocking unwanted contact guide
• Cyberbullying quiz
• Cyberbullying: what to do when things go wrong guide
• Digital Balance quiz
• Fake friends and fake profiles quiz
• Hackers, scammers and fake friends guide
• Lifehacks for a balanced time online guide
• Passphrases, passwords and MFA guide and quiz
• Protecting personal information quiz
• Scammers and fake friends quiz

For Families

• Balancing time online guide
• Blocking unwanted contact for your child guide
• Cyberbullying: What to say when things go wrong online guide
• First Phone Readiness guide and quiz
• Passphrases, passwords and MFA for your child guide
• Recognising hackers, scammers and fake friends guide
• Safeguard your child’s privacy on popular apps and games guide
• Stay ahead of scams through family discussions guide

eSafety Commissioner to report cyberbullying, image-based abuse, and illegal and restricted content

Australian Cyber Security Centre - Auto report cybercrime, including online threats and abuse, scams and hacks, data breaches, identity theft and fraud.

Scamwatch to report scams.

Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation to report online grooming and inappropriate contact

IDCARE to get identity theft, data breach, scam and cyber security support.

If your child needs to talk to someone about their feelings or worries, they can contact:

Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 for free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling services.

13YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7) for a free, private and confidential talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.

Optus Digital Thumbprint supports digital safety and wellbeing for young people and families. Find out more at www.digitalthumbprint.com.au