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• Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is a complex issue and not solely related to the sharing
of personal data. However, sometimes the over-disclosure of personal
data, including passwords, can serve as a means to cause harm in
some circumstances (such as when a friendship turns sour and a
friend becomes a bully). Most importantly, children should be made
aware that they need to seek advice from parents and teachers when
faced with cyberbullying.
• Free service having a price tag
Children should be taught to consider the motive behind many “free”
services available on the Internet. It is likely that they are paying for
such “free” services at the price of scarifying their personal data.
Personal data (including our interests, purchasing habits, health
conditions etc.) is a valuable and tradeable commodity to many
enterprises or organisations. On the other hand, children may be
victimised by the misuse or disclosure of their personal data without
realising it until it is too late. Parents and teachers should assist the
children in understanding and realising that they may not genuinely be
benefitted by trading off their personal data.
• Online identities not being what they appear
Children should be reminded that the online community is very
different from the real world. Even genuine users of online services
often use pseudonyms or even false information to register their
accounts, and can deceitfully portray themselves as whoever they
want to be. Worse still, if a friend’s account is hacked, anyone can
easily pretend to be your friend with intent to defraud you. “Friend of a
friend” on the Internet is just a stranger and should never be trusted.
Parents and teachers should alert children of the potential dangers of
personal safety and loss of property when communicating online.
The Reality of Online Technologies