Your Digital World
Holly Godliman
Introduction
Over 2 billion people use the internet, although the internet can be a very useful source for homework, information and entertainment, it can also be a very dangerous place as you do not know who is behind the screen.
Your Rights
Once you reach the age of ten, you are now fully responsible for your actions. This means that if you are cyberbullying or harrassing someone online you could easily get arrested. The law (according to the Sexual Offences Act 2003) says that anyone under the age of 16 cannot send sexual activity. If anyone under the age does this then they will be prosecuted.
Even if both people are under the age of 16, you can be prosecuted. This could mean going on the sex offenders list resulting in a criminal record.
If someone is sexually touching a person under 16 years old or asking them to do a sexual act, this is against the law and the person can be prosecuted under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
If someone is acting in a sexual way towards someone under the age of 13 or asking them to do a sexual activity, this is against the law and the person can be prosecuted under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. There are NO defences in court if the young person is under 13 years old and the other person can be prosecuted.
sexting
'Sexting' is when someone sends a naked photo of themselves and sends it to someone via text or any other method of communication. It is against the law as whoever has that picture on their phone, is technically in possession of an indecent image of a child.If the people involved in sexting are under 18, then this is illegal. This means that person can be prosecuted under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Social Networking sites
Social Networking sites
Social Networking areas are websites with applications, which help connect friends using different tools like blogs, internal email systems and photos.
You sign up and create your own profile. Often, these contain standard sections like, ‘About Me’. There are usually areas where you can write things like favourite Music, Films, Sports, and hobbies. You can add specific personal details like physical appearance, and which school you go to.
Privacy Settings
You can use privacy settings so only approved friends can instant message you. This won’t ruin your social life – new people can still send you friend requests and message you, they just won’t be able to pester you via IM. This means that people you don’t want to see your profile, can’t actually do so.
Personal Accounts
You can usually add music to your profile, either by visiting an artist's page and choosing a song from their music player.There is often also an option to upload videos as well – including music videos, videos uploaded from other sites such as Youtube or personally recorded films.
Mobiles are a great way to stay in touch with family and friends, but phones have loads of other functions.
Chatting, texting, picture, video messaging, listening to music and sharing stuff for free through bluetooth are all uses of mobiles. You can even access your social networking site like Facebook, ask fm or instagram and watch television.
My Number
It's a good idea to only give your number out to friends who you know in the real world. If your mobile number is given to people that you don’t know, they may hassle you. So it is probably best if you do not put your number on social networking sites such as facebook or myspace. If you are receiving any unwanted or insulting texts, you can contact your service provider.
GPS
GPS tracking technology can now be used on your mobiles. So if you’re lost in town somewhere, you can use your phone to show you where you are on a map and give you directions to where you need to be. Social Networking sites have teamed up with the technology, and now on these sites you can see where your contacts are on the map. This can be very dangerous as a stranger can see where you are heading or where you are so, make sure that privacy settings are used for things like this.
Who can I tell if I'm worried?
If you feel comfortable with it you can tell an adult, such as your parents, a close relative or even a teacher.
If you prefer, you can talk to Childline. A confidential helpline run by the NSPCC. You can call them on 0800 1111 or go online at www.childline.org.uk.
If you are worried about something that is happening to you online, you can report it through ClickCEOP.
The ceop are staffed by specialist police officers, social workers, counselors and investigators. Your report will go to straight to them.