Cybersafety is the safe and responsible use of information and communication technologies: things like the internet, computers, gaming devices and mobile phones – anything which can access the online environment we call Cyberspace. At NetSafe, we educate people about both the safe and responsible use of such devices. It’s possible, for example, for me to be perfectly safe whilst sitting at my computer at home, embezzling funds from your bank account through internet banking. That is not, however, a responsible use of the technology. True cybersafety incorporates both aspects –simply put, cybersafety helps keep me and other people safe online.

Why is cybersafety important?

Information and communication technologies like the internet and mobile phones are a new frontier for a lot of people; they’re not technologies that many of us grew up with, and it seems there’s no end to the amount of things we can learn about using them. Alongside the amazing benefits that such technologies can bring to our work, study and leisure time, there also exist some risks and potential dangers that we need to know how to negotiate in order to maximise our enjoyment of ICT. This is particularly true for young people, who are naturally more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviours online, and for whom the internet is standard tool of communication, research and fun.

At NetSafe, we believe that cybersafety is a little like road or water safety; it’s something that every New Zealander should learn and practice on a daily basis to keep themselves safe when they use technology which accesses Cyberspace. Most of us were exposed to safety education as young people through our schools and families, and NetSafe is continuing that tradition by working alongside schools throughout the country to ensure that cybersafety is part of the education curriculum. We also work with adults, either in their capacity as carers of cyber-savvy young people, or ICT users themselves, to teach the skills necessary to keep themselves safer when using ICT.