Internet Safety: Teens

Unwanted Contact

He asked you to do, what?

Unwanted contact is any type of online communication that you find unpleasant or confronting. The contact can come from online or offline friends or people you don’t know.

Unwanted contact can include:

  • being asked inappropriate or personal questions by someone you don’t know
  • being sent offensive, confronting or obscene content
  • being asked to send intimate pictures or do things online that make you feel uncomfortable.

How do I deal with it?

  • Don’t respond and leave the site or chat session.
  • Report it to an adult that you trust or to the police, if there is a threat to your safety
  • Block the contact or remove them from your friends list.
  • Change your profile settings so that your personal details are kept private.
  • Don’t open messages from people you don’t know.
  • Keep the evidence. This can be useful in tracking the person posting unsuitable material.
  • Contact your ISP and/or phone provider, or the website administrator, there are actions they can take to help.

Remember

If you want to talk about a problem with unwanted contact, you can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or visit their website. Suspicious online behaviour towards a child should be reported to the Australian Federal Police

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NEED TO TALK?


Has something happened online that makes you feel uncomfortable, scared or sad? Talking to friends and family can help. It can also help to talk or to visit Kids Helpline or call them on 1800 55 1800. It is free to call and anything you say is just between you and Kids Helpline.

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