Online safety

It has been said that the average phone has more than 100,000 times the processing power of the computer that landed man on the moon. For most people using technology is integral to their everyday life, from reading the news, checking the weather, to banking or dating.

It is important that we do not overlook our familiarity with the internet and ensure users, both new and old keep up to date with how to look after yourself in the technical and virtual world.

Did you know:

Australians lost more than $142 million to scammers in 2019, here are some tips and information to help you avoid being part of this statistic, Course: How to spot a scam

Over 85% of Australian households have access to the internet at home, if you’re in the 15% offline it’s never too late! With a goal to support every Australian to be online, the Government website Be Connected provides free information and education, with a basic skills training Course: Introduction to internet safety which covers topics such as, security, personal data and online payments and more detailed resources. If you prefer physical courses and support try your local council or library for advice.

1 in 5 Australian young people reported being socially excluded, threatened or abused online. There is a lot of support and advice available for younger people such as Cyberbullying | eSafety Commissioner and for parents or carers Online safety guide | eSafety Commissioner.

With a reported 35% of new couples first meeting online, it is important to be informed and protect yourself to ensure a safe and healthy relationship. Online resources are widely available including Online dating | eSafety Commissioner , but there are also workshops for younger people held by organisations such as the Carly Ryan Foundation (https://www.carlyryanfoundation.com/ ).

Not all technical scams occur via email. Last year Australians lost over $32 million to phone scams and $3million to text scams ⁽¹⁾. Avoid giving out any personal information on the phone (especially to unsolicited calls), reputable organisations like a bank will not call you and ask you for your details. Learn how to protect yourself from phone scams.

The effects of being scammed are not just financial. If you have been scammed there are steps you can take to limit the physical damage, but being scammed can also create other issues. Psychological effects of being scammed can range from guilt, anxiety, shame and depression. Speaking about these feelings with family and friends or seeking professional help from a psychologist (link to our info sheet) is important to help you work through these effects and move on.