Online Behaviour

What is Online Behaviour?

The Australian Government [1] describes Online Behaviour or Digital Reputation as:

your behaviour online and the content that you post about yourself and others. Tagged photos, blog posts and social networking interactions will all shape how you are perceived by others online and offline. A poor digital reputation can affect your friendships and relationships as well as your future job prospects. What happens online can permanently affect you in the real world—so protect your digital reputation.

Information Communication Technologies (ICT) and the internet are important tools for study and life. Whenever you are using ICT online, always remember that what you do online can affect your whole world. Keep yourself safe online:

  • avoid unwanted contact; keep your personal details private
  • don’t share your passwords, not even with friends
  • don’t post anything you don’t want others to see or know about.



Some Things to Think about?

Carefully think before you post anything online. We are called to a standard of holiness in all of our behaviour.

  • 1 Peter 1:15-16 states,“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy'" (NIV).
  • Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (NIV).

When posting always build others up online and even speak out against negative posts. Remember also to:

  • Keep an eye on photos and messages your friends add about you.
  • Always set your profile to private – and check every now and then to make sure the settings haven’t changed.
  • Your online information could be accessible by anyone at anytime; forever. Your personal information may end up being seen by people you don’t know, including potential employers.

The internet is a wonderful place but just like the real world, not everyone is your friend. Check out: Meet the Creeps to learn more about safe online behaviour.


Location Services

Location services is software that adds location information (geotags) to photos. Some people also use location services to post their locations to social networking sites, such as Facebook. Be aware as others can use your location information, too.

Location service Risks

  • Services that track your location can be used for criminal purposes—for spying, stalking, or theft.
  • Photos taken using a GPS enabled devise keeps a record of the location the photo was taken.
  • If messages that share your location are tied to your online social network accounts, anyone in your network will know your location.
  • Location information is added to all of the other data about you on social sites and blogs, comments you leave, and so on. It's likely permanent and searchable.

Using location services safely

  • Pay close attention to the settings that use your location.
  • Consider turning off features that add location information (also called geotagging) in your tweets, blogs, or social network accounts.
  • Consider disabling location services altogether. Be aware, of course, that this will restrict such features as maps, route data etc.
  • Use location features selectively. For example, turn on geotagging of photos only when you need to mark them with your location, as a photo of your house will contain information as to your home address.


Who can Help?

If you want to talk to someone about Online behaviour, you can:


References

[1] Australian Government. (Cybersmart, http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Teens/How%20do%20I%20deal%20with/Digital%20reputation.aspx (Accessed 11/11/2011))



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