Latest news with #Netsafe
Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
Netsafe And Chorus Power Up Online Safety For Older Adults
Press Release – Netsafe Netsafe added 12 new resources to the 'Get Set Up for Safety' programme, a collection of fact sheets, guides and learning activities for older adults and people who support them. The tools are designed to build digital confidence and help older people stay … Netsafe has powered up its efforts to protect and empower older adults in Aotearoa, with the launch of twelve new resources and a dedicated digital hub for community organisations. Unveiled today at an event in Dunedin, the new materials are the latest addition to Netsafe's Get Set Up for Safety programme supported by Chorus, a growing collection of over 20 free, ready-to-use fact sheets, guides and interactive learning activities tailored for older adults and the people who support them. The practical tools are designed to build digital confidence and help older people stay secure online. 'We recognise that our older adult population are eager to upskill as they navigate the fast-changing digital landscape, to stay connected, manage finances and access services', says Brent Carey, CEO of Netsafe. 'Over the last year we have seen a big demand for our initial Get Set Up for Safety resources, but it was clear that more was needed in this space to enable the many amazing community organisations supporting older adults throughout Aotearoa.' For community organisations, volunteers and facilitators that work with older adults, the resources will provide a helpful tool to hand out or use in workshops to support learning and spark discussion. Hannah Taylor, Head of Sustainability at Chorus, says the initiative aligns with their commitment to all aspects of digital equity, but specifically ensuring access is safe and inclusive for everyone. 'We're proud to continue our support of a project that enables older New Zealanders to embrace the benefits of being online, while also giving those around them, families, volunteers, and community groups, the information and tools to provide meaningful support,' says Taylor, 'Online safety isn't a solo journey, and this toolkit makes it easier for communities to walk that path together.' Printed materials will also be made available through trusted networks nationwide, such as Age Concern, Citizens Advice Bureaus, Digital Seniors Hubs, community libraries and other local support organisations.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Scoop
Netsafe And Chorus Power Up Online Safety For Older Adults
Press Release – Netsafe Netsafe added 12 new resources to the 'Get Set Up for Safety' programme, a collection of fact sheets, guides and learning activities for older adults and people who support them. The tools are designed to build digital confidence and help older people stay … Netsafe has powered up its efforts to protect and empower older adults in Aotearoa, with the launch of twelve new resources and a dedicated digital hub for community organisations. Unveiled today at an event in Dunedin, the new materials are the latest addition to Netsafe's Get Set Up for Safety programme supported by Chorus, a growing collection of over 20 free, ready-to-use fact sheets, guides and interactive learning activities tailored for older adults and the people who support them. The practical tools are designed to build digital confidence and help older people stay secure online. 'We recognise that our older adult population are eager to upskill as they navigate the fast-changing digital landscape, to stay connected, manage finances and access services', says Brent Carey, CEO of Netsafe. 'Over the last year we have seen a big demand for our initial Get Set Up for Safety resources, but it was clear that more was needed in this space to enable the many amazing community organisations supporting older adults throughout Aotearoa.' For community organisations, volunteers and facilitators that work with older adults, the resources will provide a helpful tool to hand out or use in workshops to support learning and spark discussion. Hannah Taylor, Head of Sustainability at Chorus, says the initiative aligns with their commitment to all aspects of digital equity, but specifically ensuring access is safe and inclusive for everyone. 'We're proud to continue our support of a project that enables older New Zealanders to embrace the benefits of being online, while also giving those around them, families, volunteers, and community groups, the information and tools to provide meaningful support,' says Taylor, 'Online safety isn't a solo journey, and this toolkit makes it easier for communities to walk that path together.' Printed materials will also be made available through trusted networks nationwide, such as Age Concern, Citizens Advice Bureaus, Digital Seniors Hubs, community libraries and other local support organisations.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Netsafe And Chorus Power Up Online Safety For Older Adults
Netsafe has powered up its efforts to protect and empower older adults in Aotearoa, with the launch of twelve new resources and a dedicated digital hub for community organisations. Unveiled today at an event in Dunedin, the new materials are the latest addition to Netsafe's Get Set Up for Safety programme supported by Chorus, a growing collection of over 20 free, ready-to-use fact sheets, guides and interactive learning activities tailored for older adults and the people who support them. The practical tools are designed to build digital confidence and help older people stay secure online. 'We recognise that our older adult population are eager to upskill as they navigate the fast-changing digital landscape, to stay connected, manage finances and access services', says Brent Carey, CEO of Netsafe. 'Over the last year we have seen a big demand for our initial Get Set Up for Safety resources, but it was clear that more was needed in this space to enable the many amazing community organisations supporting older adults throughout Aotearoa.' For community organisations, volunteers and facilitators that work with older adults, the resources will provide a helpful tool to hand out or use in workshops to support learning and spark discussion. Hannah Taylor, Head of Sustainability at Chorus, says the initiative aligns with their commitment to all aspects of digital equity, but specifically ensuring access is safe and inclusive for everyone. 'We're proud to continue our support of a project that enables older New Zealanders to embrace the benefits of being online, while also giving those around them, families, volunteers, and community groups, the information and tools to provide meaningful support,' says Taylor, 'Online safety isn't a solo journey, and this toolkit makes it easier for communities to walk that path together.' All resources in the suite are free to download. Printed materials will also be made available through trusted networks nationwide, such as Age Concern, Citizens Advice Bureaus, Digital Seniors Hubs, community libraries and other local support organisations.
RNZ News
15-05-2025
- RNZ News
Cyberbullying in spotlight amid proposed social media ban
Photo: 123rf As workers dressed in an array of salmon- and rose-coloured outfits stream into offices nationwide on Friday to mark Pink Shirt Day, advocacy groups are calling for greater protections to be put in place to guard against cyberbullying. The calls come amid a recent proposal by the National Party to ban social media for users younger than 16. Brent Carey, chief executive of Netsafe, said the online safety organisation had received more than 2000 reports of online harassment in the past year. "Over two-thirds of those affected were women and 37 percent were aged 21 or younger," he said. "Reports from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) and PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) highlight that New Zealand continues to experience the highest rates of bullying among OECD countries, with 15 percent of students reporting frequent bullying." Brent Carey Photo: Supplied Netsafe's research estimates the societal cost of cyberbullying in New Zealand has risen to $1.071 billion annually, Carey said. Cyberbullying takes place when individuals use the internet to harass, intimidate or target others, according to the organisation's website. "It can take place over various platforms such as social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms and through email or texts," it said. Online bullying can include derogatory messages and name calling, repeated unwanted online contact, spreading rumours, sharing embarrassing pictures or videos, or creating fake profiles to impersonate someone, it said. Photo: Supplied Kelly Feng Photo: Supplied Kelly Feng, chief executive at Asian Family Services, said online bullying was a growing concern for Asian users, including international students and school children. "We normally get phone calls from parents who have concerns about their children being called different names ... or being bullied ... at school," Feng said. "They normally don't want to make a formal complaint but just want to find out more information on how they can get some help." Feng said migrant parents did not typically have the confidence to talk to schools directly, and they were often reluctant to make a formal complaint because they worried about retaliation or stigma. "They don't really know how a [school] counsellor works," Feng said, adding that even less knew that culturally appropriate counsellors were sometimes available. An 2023 Education Review Office report said one in five children from ethnic backgrounds experienced bullying at school. Feng said targeted research like this was needed to keep track of trends. In addition, better education on bullying for parents and children, better support at school and culturally appropriate services were needed, she said. "Currently, it's quite a broken system," she said. "I guess they're just not really connecting the dots." Feng encouraged parents to listen to their children and validate their feelings, communicate with and seek help from schools, and report the incident to Netsafe or the police if necessary. Bullying was associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, academic struggles and social isolation, she said. "Seek professional help," Feng said, recommending students who were being bullied to talk to a school counsellor, GP or psychologist. "You want to solve some of those issues early [so that you] don't have that long-term impact." Feng said social media could be challenging for a lot of parents and they should try to educate themselves. "There's often parenting programs and other parenting talks on how to manage children and young people's screen time or online space," Feng said. "Don't blame yourself if you don't know because ... there are a lot of people who don't know as well so you're not alone. "Just keep learning the right information and go to the right resource to get information and ... seek help." In 2015, New Zealand introduced the Harmful Digital Communications Act to prevent and reduce the impact of online bullying, harassment, revenge porn and other forms of abuse and intimidation. If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
RNZ News
15-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
New technology: Tony Grasso
technology about 1 hour ago Tony discusses a recent randsomware attack on an Australian construction firm where 17 GB of corporate data was allegedly taken; the US Justice Department has unsealed indictments against 12 individuals, so called "hackers for hire; and New Zealand has seen a dramatic 68% increase in sextortion cases in the first three months of the year, according to Netsafe. Tony Grasso is Principal Consultant at cybersecurity firm TitaniumDefence. He worked at GCHQ in the UK and is a former Intelligence Officer in New Zealand.
