February 27th 2020

Hi there Caddyshackers

Since we are communicating with you through a digital communication blog, we thought we would get you up to speed with staying safe online and thinking about all things digital.

We are settling into 2020, a time and place in our lives where things seem fast paced, online.

Thanks to socials, our once private lives have become more public and on display. Throw some online dating apps into the mix and we are sharing more about ourselves, both images and stories than we ever have before.

The screen allows us to hide behind a “barrier” in which we share things with others in a public domain or forum, that we may not have ever shared face to face or in person.

Having 400 Facebook friends and 1000 Instagram followers may make us think we are connected, when in reality many of us feel very disconnected.

Online Dating

Online dating and hook up apps have become so popular with many people forming connections and bonds with people online before meeting with them in person.

This provides an element of freedom and choice not previously explored by older generations, however it can also create complacency and a feeling of familiarity. It’s not a moment for naivete, as some of these ‘connections’ could be based on deception.

Sexting

Looks like sexting and nudes are here to stay, however there are Commonwealth state and territory laws against asking for, accessing, possessing, creating or sharing sexualised images of children and young people under 18.

Also not to be dramatic, but there is a thing called Sextortion which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like.

It’s all a choice, but please consider if sending nudes is something that you’re really into and if you really trust the recipient.

There are lots of other ways to explore being sexy without feeling the pressure to be sexual in the digital realm.

5 Best Ways to Stay Safe Online

So, how do you keep yourself safe online?

We have put together our 5 best tips to stay safe online!

The best place for advice is Office of e-safety

1. Set boundaries

   Do you have your own limits and boundaries in place already? If not, jump on the Office of e-safety for some fab pointers.

2. Keep personal details private

   Don’t give out your full name or address, credit card details or other personal information.

3. Who are you following?

   Unfollow people who make you feel bad or negative. It’s the start of 2020, maybe it’s time to do a cull.

4. Be real with what you represent online

   Think about your digital footprint and reputation.

5. What are you sharing?

   At the time of publication, there are no laws in place that prevent employers from checking out your Facebook profile. So keep that in mind with what you are sharing on your profile.

What we are loving right now

Right now we are loving “The Hunting” as featured on SBS. Although this was screened in 2019, the message was powerful and will continue to remain relevant.

It explores the notion of sexting among high school students, how easily this content can be spread and the impacts it has on those involved. Get up to speed with SBS On Demand.

Until next time.

Peace, Love & Protection

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