Office of the Privacy Commissioner | Children need to be wise owls when it comes to the internet
A new resource to help teachers teach internet privacy issues to primary and intermediate school students was launched on 11 February to coincide with Safer Internet Day and the start of the 2014 school year.
The online resource – named OWLS – is a joint project by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and NetSafe, in partnership with the NZ National Commission for UNESCO.
It was introduced to students and teachers at Tawa School in Wellington by the Associate Minister of Education and Minister of Youth Affairs, Nikki Kaye.
The Privacy Commissioner, Marie Shroff, says the internet and mobile technology expose children to a range of risks that previous generations have never had to deal with.
“Teaching children how to protect their privacy online increasingly involves schools because children are experimenting in digital media from very young ages. It is important that teachers and parents understand this trend and are able to pass on the necessary knowledge and skills for children to stay safe online.
“Learning how to behave wisely online is something we must share and discuss with young people in our classrooms and homes. That’s why resources like the OWLS project are so important. They help equip children for a life that is no longer online or offline but both,” Ms Shroff said.
The OWLS modules (http://netsafe.org.nz/owls/) were developed after consulting with teachers in Wellington and Auckland. They consist of a series of 24 modules on different aspects of managing personal information online. There are four main themes to the modules:
- Own your information – take control
- Wait before you upload
- Lock your information
- Safety first
Under each theme, teachers can select the module they need to fit with their existing classroom programme or they can work through the entire resource as a complete cyber-education programme.
OWLS aims to help students manage their personal information and it is hoped that it will also provide ways for students and teachers to involve families and wider communities in a conversation about internet safety.
The date of the OWLS launch was timed to mark Safer Internet Day, an annual international event promoting safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people across the world.
This year’s Safer Internet Day theme is “Let’s create a better internet together”. For more information about Safer Internet Day, visit www.saferinternetday.org.
The involvement of the NZ National Commission for UNESCO arises out of UNESCO’s responsibility within the UN system for issues relating to the societal impact of communication and information technology. It is therefore very supportive of moves globally to develop digital citizenship, particularly among young people who lead the way in the use of latest technology.
NetSafe is as an independent non-profit organisation that promotes confident, safe, and responsible use of online technologies. It promotes cybersafety and champion digital citizenship by educating and supporting individuals, organisations and industry on a range of issues.
ENDS
For further information, contact Charles Mabbett on 021 509 735.