Parents Archives - Online Safety Commission Fiji

Fake news

Rashika Chandra — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 03:15:14 +0000

We read about it, we share it, we talk about it, news is everywhere around us.

And technology helps us get the latest information right in the palm of our hands. But we have to remember that some information may not be true, accurate, or even real.

How can you tell the difference between real news and fake news?

Check out our top tips below for what to look for when looking for real or true information.

The post Fake news appeared first on Online Safety Commission Fiji.

Keep Our Children Safe Online

web_admin — Thu, 13 May 2021 01:10:48 +0000

During this lockdown period, we urge parents and anyone living with child and teens who have access to technology to take a look at some of quick online safety tips:

Get engaged: For those in the Suva - Nausori corridor, the four day lockdown is a great time to do online activities with your children and teens;
Set up screen time: Yes, we have all this time at home, but we don’t have to spend all that time online or on our screens. Whether you have an apple device or android you can limit the time someone spends on any particular app. To find out how, click here.
Talk to your children & teens: A great way to find our what’s happening in your child’s online world is simply by talking to them. Ask questions, talk about how technology has changed from when you were child, have an opportunity to listen to their stories about what they found out.

While technology may not be new, engaging on online platforms is a reality that our children and teens are more advanced with which sometimes can leave us as parents a little out of touch.

Take this time to get to know your children and teenagers through the lens of the digital spaces they’re engaged in. While it may be new to you, it’s most likely something they’ve grown up with, and as a parent or guardian you can still help protect our young online.

The post Keep Our Children Safe Online appeared first on Online Safety Commission Fiji.

Misinformation & Scams

web_admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 11:15:34 +0000

Covid-19 has given notable rise to information sharing on public online platforms such as social media. Many of us tune in for the live press conference held by the Ministry of Health on Facebook daily. And even with these live updates, rumours and unverified information make it to our newsfeeds quicker than we would like. So how can you keep an eye out for information that is more accurate? Here are a few tips to help you and your children be safer online:

1. For the latest Covid-19 information from Government check out
2. Check reliable sources: On Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, look for the blue checkmark next to the page name like the Fijian Government page, Online Safety Commission page, and much more.
3. Verify the information: Look at whether other notable sources are sharing similar information. Don’t just trust one source of information.
4. Critically evaluate the information and consider whether it is true, false, fake, unverified and do not share immediately unless you have verified the information.

It is very important to talk to your children during this time about the information they may come across online. Teach them how to critically evaluate information they come across online. And make sure not to forward or share information that is not verified by notable sources such as the Fijian Government or World Health Organisation.

The post Misinformation & Scams appeared first on Online Safety Commission Fiji.

#Stopthespread of online bullying

web_admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:25:58 +0000

Online bullying has some of the most devastating effects on children and teens around the globe:

only 38% of children admit to their parents/guardians that they have been bullied online;
33% of teens say they have sent explicit photos to someone else;
more than 60% of children that have been harassed online have mental health issues; and
more than 60% of female victims feel powerless because of online bullying

On a global level we see how such online abuse effects children of all ages. Across the central division in Fiji many students have also indicate experiencing online bullying at least once this year.

Children may not want to tell you if they are being bullied but here are some signs to look out for:

Rapid increase or decrease in weight;
Severe mood swings;
Losing interesting in being around family and friends;
Not wanting to go online anymore;

These changes are often subtle but vigilance is key. And having open dialogue about online safety and responsibility with your child is important.

What can I do to help?

Remember to remain calm and have an open conversation with your child. Let them know that they are not alone. Set up screen time and allow them to only use the devices in a common area such as the living room.

Fijians value community and we can express this same value in our online communities. Social media apps like Facebook give us an opportunity to build virtually any community we like. And this starts at home, stop the spread of online bullying by talking to your children today.

The post #Stopthespread of online bullying appeared first on Online Safety Commission Fiji.