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Social networking sites and the web can be great place to hang out - with access to the internet, emails, chat rooms, video clips, mobile phones, SMS, mobile phone, cameras; you can find entertainment and useful information. You can also get in touch with your friends almost anywhere.

But cyber space can also be used in ways that are against the law. For example, some people use cyber space to bully or harass other people. Child pornography may be posted on the internet, or sent through phones. Pedophiles and other criminals sometimes use the internet to find their victims.

So, if you're going to use technology for fun or work, be smart. Find out what you can and can’t do, and know what’s wrong when you see it.

What is cyber crime?

Cyber crime is using computers, the internet, mobile phones and other forms of electronic communication to commit crimes. It is increasing in Australia and all around the world as more people use the internet.

Cyber Bullying

Cyber crime includes ‘cyber bullying’. Cyber bullying means using technology to bully others. ‘Bullying’ is harassing, intimidating, or threatening behaviour that is usually repeated over time. Bullies generally intend to hurt someone either physically or emotionally, and they often act without being provoked. Some examples of cyber bullying are:

• teasing and spreading rumours through a chat room
• forwarding an email that contains private information to a whole group of people
• posting a photo or video of someone on Facebook, Myspace, Bebo ,Youtube or other websites without permission, to upset or embarrass that person.

It's important to understand what the law says about cyber crimes like cyber bullying so you can stop it happening to you and don't do it to anyone else.

What is the law on cyber crime?

It is against the law to use the internet, email or phone to:

• do anything that a reasonable person would think was menacing, harassing or offensive. A person can be sent to prison for 3 years for this offense
• stalk or intimidate someone deliberately to make that person afraid that they'll be physically or mentally harmed. ‘Stalking’ usually involves behaviour that is repeated. ‘Intimidation’ includes communication, which causes a person to fear for the safety of themselves or others who live with him or her - for example getting messages from someone threatening to hurt someone in your family. If convicted, a person can be fined up to $5,500 or be sent to prison for up to 5 years, or both
• make a threat to kill or cause serious harm to someone - even if the threat is only a hoax. A person can be sent to prison for 7 -10 years for this offense
• make a fake emergency call to 000. A person can be sent to prison for 3 years for this offense.
• access, transmit, make or distribute child pornography (pictures of children and young people under the age of 16 shown in a sexual way), or child abuse material. A person can be sent to prison for 10 years for this offense
• encourage or make persons under 16 years of age engage in or submit to sexual activity with the sender (who is 18 years or older). A person can be sent to prison for 12-15 years for this offense
• access, transmit, or distribute material that advises or encourages suicide, or that recommends or gives instructions for a particular suicide method. This is an offense when the sender actually wants to advise or encourage a suicide. There are very heavy fines for this offense.
  

There are also laws that prevent the sending of images that are offensive, unclassified or inappropriate for under 18 year olds.

What can you do if it’s happening to you?

• If you're being harassed or bullied on your mobile phone, ask your mobile phone company to give you a new phone number. Or if you want to keep your old number, ask your mobile phone company to block certain numbers.
• If you ever feel physically threatened, tell your parents or an adult you trust. Ask the police to help. Messages, phone calls, and chat rooms can be traced. The information you give could lead to a wrongdoer being arrested and charged with a criminal offense.
  
• Reporting a cyber crime to police may help prevent other and even more serious crimes being committed. You can call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444. You can also contact your local police, or call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
• In an emergency, for example if you know a child or teenager who is in immediate danger, call 000.
• Don't put your personal information on the internet - be careful about completing electronic forms that ask for your name, age, address or other personal details. Before you give any website this information, check to see whether there's any statement on the website promising that your personal information will be protected, and that it won't be given out to others. Even if there is a statement like this, you should still be careful. If you can, ask a parent or an adult you trust to check the website with you. Also be aware of the types of photos that you post on the web.
  
• Check the background of the photos to make sure that you are not giving away personal information without your knowledge. Things like awards, trophies, school blazers, community landmarks etc that may let potential predators know where you go to school, what suburb you live in or what mall you hang out at. Make sure you check the photos and videos that you post on the web.

For more information:

Check out -

Nettys World - This is a website that helps young children learn about Internet safety through interactive activities.

NetAlert - it's Australia's Internet safety advisory body. The NetAlert Helpline is a free internet safety advisory service: http://www.netalert.gov.au/about_netalert/helpline.html.

You can also call the NetAlert Helpline on 1800 880 176. (8am -10pm in your local time zone.)

Or you can make an NetAlert email inquiries.