Cybercrime: how to help our children

Report finds there is a real online danger because of threat to mental health.

More than 40 per cent of children who use the internet are victims of cybercrime while girls are more likely to be bullied online than boys, a survey has found.

The Norton Report Family Edition by Symantec, found 43 per cent of New Zealand children were harmed by cybercrime during 2012-13 or were involved in a negative online situation.

Cybercrime includes visiting malicious links, being harassed or threatened online, having online accounts hacked and viewing adult content. The study, which surveyed more than 350 New Zealanders, found that 57 per cent of those children admitted to hiding what they did online from adults.

The findings come after the death of Charlotte Dawson who campaigned against cyber bullying after experiencing sustained online abuse, and the Roast Busters group that boasted via social media about having sex with drunk teenage girls.

The report, which examined online behaviour, attitudes and security habits with a focus on cyberbullying, found it was a “very real” online danger because of the damaging effect on people’s mental health.

It found that harm was split evenly between females and males – but more than twice as many Kiwi girls as boys had been bullied online.

It also said that one in six children admitted to causing another person to have a negative online experience.

Brenton Smith, who is Symantec’s vice-president and managing director Pacific Region, said parents were in the dark about the issue with many unaware of whether their child is being harmed – or is harming others.

“Online safety requires a combination of open and ongoing dialogue and education between parents and children,” he said.

“While two-thirds of the children surveyed said they spoke to their parents about their negative online experience, only 22 per cent stayed away from where they were bullied online.” Children needed more information to be able to make informed decisions.

Netsafe chief executive Martin Cocker said his organisation was seeing an increase in serious cases of cyberbullying for both children and adults but they had few remedial options available.

“We also see a number of perpetrators who are aware of, and feel empowered by, the lack of controls and regulations in the online space.”

He said there needed to be regulation to govern the way individuals and businesses use the internet.

“And then you need to educate users and businesses about those rules, and have the resources to enforce them.”

Mr Cocker said New Zealanders were increasing their technology use and were more likely to have negative experiences unless more could be done to create safer online spaces.

A bill called the Harmful Digital Communications Bill, introduced by Justice Minister Judith Collins last year, is expected to be passed by the end of the year.

Its proposals include creating a specialised approved enforcement agency for cyberbullying complaints.

Sourse: nzherald.co.nz

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