Social Media Archives - Online Safety Commission Fiji

Stop The Spread

Rashika Chandra — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 01:00:04 +0000

The Commission strongly condemns sharing explicit content on social media platforms. Sharing such content without consent is sexual harassment.

We’ve witnessed the rise of reports of online abuse in recent months compared to our past two years and it is evident that intimate videos and images are widely shared on message platforms.

It’s important to know that you can stop it if it is shared with you simply by not continuing the cycle. By sharing such content you are actively enabling sexual abuse and harassment.

Don’t share it, report it using tools on the social media or messenger platform and then report the matter to the police immediately.

The OSC works intimately with law enforcement to bolster online safety. Programmes such as our Online Champions workshops have provided community leaders, university students and parents with the opportunity to talk about what someone is watching, playing or simply scrolling past on their digital devices.

While this is another example of how abusers can use technology perversely, we urge communities and online citizens to take a stand against sharing nonconsented images or video. Remember: report it, block it, do not share it

The post Stop The Spread appeared first on 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.

#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.

Be Safe Online During Covid-19

web_admin — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 13:49:37 +0000

Reporting Image Based Abuse

If someone shares or threatens to share an intimate image or video of you, Online Safety Commission can help remove the content or stop the threats. If you’re being blackmailed, don’t pay or give them more – stop all contact with the blackmailer.

What you can report to Online Safety Commission

The intimate image or video you are making the report about can show, or appear to show:

you nude or partly naked – such as a naked selfie
your genitals, bottom or breasts – even if you have underwear on (this includes upskirt shots)
you during a private activity – such as undressing, using the toilet, showering, having a bath or getting sexual
you without clothing of religious or cultural significance, if you would normally wear it in public (such as a hijab or turban).

The image or video can be:

real
altered or faked to look like you
shared in a way that makes people think it’s you, even when it’s not (such as a nude of someone else tagged with your name).

The image or video can be sent, posted or shared using:

an online platform or service (such as a social media feed, online game or other app)
a website, such as an image board or porn site

‘Sextortion’ is when someone blackmails you for money or more intimate content. If you’re being blackmailed, stop all contact and don’t pay the blackmailer or give them more money or intimate content. It’s not your fault and there’s help available.

Who can report image-based abuse?

You can make a report if:

you are the person in the intimate image or video
you are a parent or guardian of the person in the intimate image or video and they are a child under 18
you are a parent or guardian of the person in the intimate image or video and they need help due to a cognitive, mental or physical issue.

Also:

the person in the intimate image or video must ordinarily live in Fiji OR
the person who sent, posted or shared the intimate image or video, or made the threat to share it, must ordinarily live in Fiji.

How OSC can respond

Once you make an image-based abuse report, we will contact you (or the person you reported it for) as soon as possible.

We will check in and see how you are doing first, so we can make sure you have the emotional support you need.
We will usually contact the online platform or service used to send, post or share the intimate image or video or to threaten you. Then we will work with them to get the content removed or stop the threats. This may include removal of the account the other person used.

The post Be Safe Online During Covid-19 appeared first on Online Safety Commission Fiji.

Safer Internet Day 2021

web_admin — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 01:21:42 +0000

Safer Internet Day is celebrated around the world to spark intentional conversation around being safe online. This event started in the UK in 2004 and continues to grow as technology expands to our everyday lives. And next year we bring it closer to home with #fijiforsaferinternet.

2020 continues to remind us that the internet is here to stay. And Fiji is no different, individuals across the islands communicate with family and friends through online apps and the internet daily, we share photos, make and edit videos, and even search for some of the best entertainment on our mobile devices.

Safer Internet Day is a call to nations, businesses, NGOs, CSOs, and individuals to create a better and safer internet for all of us by being proactive and learning about the ways we can be responsible digital citizens today.

Join the conversation today and let us know how you are helping make the internet a safer place!

#fijiforsaferinternet #saferinternetdayfiji #fijisid21

The post Safer Internet Day 2021 appeared first on Online Safety Commission Fiji.