Online Safety And Security: Do You Have The Tools To Cope?

Human beings are inherently social creatures. We crave communication with others and have done so from the dawn of our species. For many years our methods of communication were much slower and not nearly as widespread as they are today. We had time to think about what we said or wrote and had little use for the online safety & security that has become a critical consideration in our modern tech-driven digital world.

Online Safety And Security: Do You Have The Tools To Cope?

As Users, What Is Our Contribution To Online Safety And Security?

The first area we should talk about is our responsibility towards others with regard to our posts, shares, comments, and contributions to discussions online. It begins, as many things do, with consciousness about the effects our communication has on the online safety and security of people we interact with.

  • Say hello to kindness and show compassion with all posts and comments
  • Be courteous and respectful with everything you post
  • Absolutely avoid any hate speech, bullying and derogatory comments
  • Do not use this amazing communication platform to spam others or spread misleading information
  • Unless you are qualified to do so, do not give out medical or mental health advice
  • Respect the privacy of others and make sure that when you share something the originator of the information is comfortable with this.

Safe Searching Is About Finding Good, Useful Information And Eliminating Harmful Content

As incredible as the Internet is for rapidly accessing information about anything, this can also be its downfall. Parents are caught in the dilemma of wanting their children to learn as much about the online world as they can but are fearful about the darker stuff they may find. As the guardians of our children’s online safety and security, we can start the conversation with them and have an honest, open discussion about internet safety and safe searching.

Of course, young people’s curiosity may mean that advice from their parents may not be enough to keep them safe. Luckily technology has some solutions and we are seeing more and more tools that can restrict what your child can access online.

Also coming to the fore are initiatives like the one spearheaded by our own Jacinda Ardern, seeking to hold big tech companies responsible for the nature of the content which is spread via their platforms.

External Factors – Online safety and security  – You Can Still Be In Control

The very nature of the online space lends itself to a large degree of anonymity and opportunity for deception. It is important for young people not to blindly accept everything they see online as truth.

  • Make sure the persons you communicate with are who they present themselves to be
  • Practice a degree of scepticism and do not spread any information that you have not verified
  • Do not accept friend requests from random strangers just to have a huge friends list – quality over quantity is best
  • Never give out private information to anyone that you do not know personally
  • If you are in any doubt as to the intentions of anyone block them from your social media accounts. It is almost impossible to bully someone when you have no way to communicate with them
digital coping strategies

With a bit of thoughtfulness and sensibility, you can make your online experience an enjoyable and safe one. Cathy Mellett founded I’m enough to promote safety online, digital resilience, and offer digital coping strategies to young people and those who care for them. We want you to know that you’re so enough you don’t know how enough you are.

You’re enough and you are loved just as you are. If you can make this your truth then you will have achieved true resilience to cope with everything the digital world can throw your way.

CONTACT US NOW

Emergency and help lines

New Zealand Police Call in emergency 111
Description

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk,

call 111

 

Website Address
Business Tags
APP – MyRivr
Description

Everyone knows someone in need, whether it's a family member, a school or work friend, an associate or someone that you meet as you are going about daily life. Perhaps you do not know where to find help. MyRivr uses your location details to be able to provide you with the exact service providers close to you should you need support or need a nearby agency.

About MyRivr

As an ex-cop and gang member, Akerei (Rei) Maresala-Thomson has spent time witnessing the struggles and challenges of the New Zealand community

After 12 years serving with the NZ Police, Rei resigned from his role as Senior Sergeant in Charge of the Pacific, Ethnic and Asian portfolio for Counties Manukau in March, 2017.

He has made it his mission to continue confronting issues, and trying to improve Pacific wellbeing in NZ – but this time he is using technology.

Rei is now the Technical Advisor for free app MYRIVR, a self-funded and volunteer managed concept from the community which was developed and released in 2015 by Corefusion Limited as MASA (Multi-Agency Services Application) to assist in a successful trial with Counties Manukau Police.

MYRIVR is now NZ’s largest in-app directory of community services, enabling visibility and instant access to more than 20,000 helpers and over 7,000 health and social services around the country.

Website Address
whatsup.co.nz
Description

www.whatsup.co.nz

Call: 0800 WHAT’S UP (0800 942 8787)

We are now open from 11 am - 11 pm for our phone service (0800 942 8787).

Our online chat service is open from 11 am - 10.30 pm.

We are open every day of the week, 365 days of the year. Including public holidays.

Kidsline is now part of 0800 what's up so both have the same contact numbers and opening hours.

If you have any questions or queries, please email us on whatsup@barnardos.org.nz

Website Address
Youthline
Description

Need support or want to talk? Contact Youthline.

Free Text 234

Email: talk@youthline.co.nz

Website Address
Lifeline
Description

Lifeline's telephone counselling service provides 24 hour a day, 7 day a week counselling and support. Calls are confidential and free and you will speak to a trained Lifeline counsellor.

Phone: 522 2999 (within Auckland)
Phone: 0800 543 354 (outside Auckland)

Website Address
Keeping Your Kids Safe Online
Description

Information for parents on creating a safe online learning and social environment for your children at home.

Website Address
Netsafe Cyberbullying
Description

Information and advice about cyberbullying for young people, parents and teachers.

Our service is free and confidential and we provide specialist online incident advice. CLICK HERE

Website Address
Police Kia Kaha bullying programme for schools
Description

Kia Kaha is a school-based programme that aims to help schools create environments where all members of the community feel safe, respected and valued, and where bullying cannot flourish.

Website Address
Depression helpline
Description

Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions).
This includes includes The Journal online help service.

Website Address
Depression helpline
Description

An online e-therapy tool provided by the University of Auckland that helps young people learn skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressed.

Website Address
Sexuality or gender identity helpline
Description

Provides confidential telephone support.
Helplines for children and young people

Website Address
Sexuality or gender identity helpline
Description

What's Up – 0800 942 8787 (for 5–18 year olds).
Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, midday–11pm and weekends, 3pm–11pm.
Online chat is available 7pm–10pm daily.

Website Address
Depression Helpline 24 hours a day
Description

Depression Helpline (8am to midnight) Phone: 0800 111 757

Samaritans Phone: 0800 726 666

Suicide Crisis Helpline Phone: 0508 828 865

Alcohol and Drug Helpline
Description

Alcohol and Drug Helpline – 0800 787 797 or online chat

Website Address
Family Violence Helpline
Description

Are You OK – 0800 456 450 family violence helpline

Website Address
Gambling Helpline
Description

Gambling Helpline – 0800 654 655

Website Address
Anxiety
Name
Description

Anxiety phone line – 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY)

Seniorline
Description

A free information service for older people
Phone: 0800 725 463

Wellbeing Service
Description

0508MUSICHELP – The Wellbeing Service is a 24/7 online, on the phone and in-person counselling service fully funded by the NZ Music Foundation and provided free of charge to those in the Kiwi music community who can't access the help they need due to hardship and other circumstances. Call 0508 MUSICHELP.

Domestic abuse helpline
Description

Shine – 0508 744 633 confidential domestic abuse helpline

Smoking cessation help
Description

Quit Line – 0800 778 778 smoking cessation help

Vagus Line
Description

Vagus Line – 0800 56 76 666 (Mon, Wed, Fri 12 noon – 2pm).
Promote family harmony among Chinese, enhance parenting skills, decrease conflict among family members (couple, parent-child, in-laws) and stop family violence

Women’s Refuge Crisisline
Description

Women's Refuge Crisisline – 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE) (for women living with violence, or in fear, in their relationship or family)

Shakti Crisis Line
Description

Shakti Crisis Line – 0800 742 584 (for migrant or refugee women living with family violence)

Rape Crisis
Description

Rape Crisis – 0800 883 300 (for support after rape or sexual assault)

Website Address
Warmlines for consumers of mental health services – Canterbury and West Coast
Description

Free peer support services for people experiencing mental illness or those supporting them
Canterbury and West Coast – 03 379 8415 / 0800 899 276 (1pm to midnight, seven nights)

Warmlines for consumers of mental health services – Wellington
Description

Free peer support services for people experiencing mental illness or those supporting them
Wellington 0800 200 207 (7pm–1am, Tuesday to Sunday)

Warmlines for consumers of mental health services – Auckland Central
Description

Free peer support services for people experiencing mental illness or those supporting them
Auckland Central 0508 927 654 or 0508 WARMLINE (8pm to midnight, seven nights)

Mental Health Crisis Helpline
Description

Mental Health Crisis Helpline - 0800 800 717

Depression
Description

Depression and anxiety affects us all differently.
Free 24/7 Helpline: 0800 111 757 Text 4202

Website Address
Lifeline
Description

Lifeline – 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland

Youthline
Description

Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat

Samaritans
Description

Whatever you're going through, call us any time on 0800 726 666.

Website Address
Suicide Crisis Helpline
Description

Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
What's Up – 0800 942 8787 (for 5–18 year olds).
Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, midday–11pm and weekends, 3pm–11pm. Online chat is available 7pm–10pm daily.

Kidsline
Description

Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline) for young people up to 18 years of age. Open 24/7.

Sexuality or gender identity helpline
Description

thelowdown.co.nz – Phone: 0800 111 757 or email team@thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626

Website Address
Supporting Families in Mental Illness
Description

Supporting Families in Mental Illness - 0800 732 825.

Mental health services – Ministry of Health
Description

We all face challenges to our mental health at various times in our lives. The way we’re feeling can change how we think and how we deal with tough times.

There’s a range of resources and services available to help including phone and online services and information, as well as face-to-face support.

Most services are free and provide information and confidential advice from trained professionals. There's also information for family, whānau, or friends if they need advice and support.

If you’re told that there is a waiting time for a service, please still reach out and make contact. Other supports can be put in place – ask what you can try in the meantime.

 

Helplines for children and young people

Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to talk to a trained counsellor.

To talk to a trained counsellor 24/7 call the Depression helpline – 0800 111 757.

To get help from a registered nurse 24/7 call Healthline – 0800 611 116.

Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat.

What's Up  – 0800 942 8787, (for 5–18-year-olds). Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, 1 pm–10 pm and on weekends, 3 pm–10 pm. Online chat is available from 7 pm–10 pm daily.

Website Address
Home and Family Counselling
Description

Home and Family Counselling is here to help you, or someone you care about.

We are a community-based service providing professional counselling to individuals, couples and families.

Our services are affordable and accessible to all. We work with children, teenagers and adults.

We are committed to providing the highest level of counselling assistance available so that our clients can lead more fulfilling lives. Home and Family Counselling provides services which are free from any discrimination, coercion, harassment and sexual, financial or other exploitation.

Central Auckland T. 0800 800 717
Wellsford to North Shore T. (09) 486 8900
Rodney T. (09) 427 0360
Henderson T. (09) 822 8501
Counties Manukau T. (09) 261 3700