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We are in the midst of an information evolution which is bringing about significant changes in our society. We are shifting from a reliance on government sources and mass media for authoritative information and expert opinion on issues, toward embracing an online environment where people are looking to other sources, i.e., user generated content to gather information, views, and opinions from those directly affected by events.
Children and young people navigating the Internet are required to make decisions about the following:
Spam
Spamming is the use of any electronic communications medium to send unsolicited messages in bulk. While its definition is usually limited to indiscriminate bulk mailing and not any targeted marketing, the term "spam" can refer to any commercially oriented, unsolicited bulk mailing perceived as being excessive and undesired. In the popular eye, the most common form of spam is that delivered in e-mail as a form of commercial advertising.
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Phising
Traditionally it has been reasonably easy to identify spam – messages would come from unknown senders, with unexpected subject lines and content and would be of poor quality, meaning that they could be reasonably easily detected and deleted. Spammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods, and will employ various methods to distribute their mails and avoid detection. One such method is known as spoofing.
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Advertising
There has been a blurring of boundaries between informational content and advertising in online contexts, and there are obvious concerns to children regarding compliance on websites to standards that apply in other media such as television. Advertising guidelines for television state the need for a separation between advertising and content, but this is not the case on the Internet. Online sites use information to build brand awareness, or link favourite brand cartoon characters to games and education information, encouraging children to build a consumer mentality and various brand loyalties.
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Helplines
Who do I report any un acceptable behaviour too. Read about other helplines.
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Sources: Cyberspace Research Unit
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