Inappropriate Use of Technology

Inappropriate Use of Technology

What is inappropriate use of technology?

Misuse and Abuse of Technology

Cases on Inappropriate use of Technology

Menacing, harassing or offensive use of the internet or a mobile

Media Files on the inappropriate use of technology

In Queensland 2010, a 20 year old man sent threats and hate-fill Facebook messages to his ex-girlfriend and her new partner. He was placed on probation with a command to attend counseling for using internet services in a menacing, harassing and offensive way.

Threats and intimidation

Inappropriate use of technology refers to an individual abusing their responsibility towards the acceptable way technology should be utilized. Through an individual misusing their access in relation to the internet, negative ramifications can arise.

Although technology is a very useful resource, individuals may use its wide scope of tools available in a number of inappropriate ways. These include:

- Cyber bullying (Threatening or harassing use of electronics, stalking and defamation

- Intruding into private accounts without authorization

- Downloading illegal materials

- Mobile phones and sexting

- Phone hacking

- Negative use of social media including Facebook and Twitter

1. Cecil Hills teenager Nona Belomesoff was killed

The 18-year-old was allegedly lured to her death in south-west Sydney by a man who befriended her on Facebook by claiming to work for the animal welfare group.

In New South Wales, 2006, a teenager threatened to murder three fellow peers including two teachers at his school on his MySpace page. He was charged with making threats.

Misuse:

Using technology in the wrong way or for the wrong purpose.

Examples of misuse would include:

• Hacking into private social networking accounts

Hacking is the unauthorized access to private information within an individuals account.

• Stalking

Repeated harassment using email, text messaging or other digital media with the intention of causing fear or intimidation

Abuse:

Using technology intentionally for a bad effect and purpose.

Examples of abuse would include:

• Spamming an individuals private email account

Spam is junk mail received electronically through an email account.

• Internet Fraud

Internet fraud is the use of misleading information to carry out deceitful acts and obtain money.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/facebook-teen-killed-20100515-v5da.html

Stalking

In Western Australia, 2011, a teenager began sending an american girl threatening messages and unwanted gifts which lead him to being arrested for stalking.

2. The death of Charlotte Dawson has Australia reflecting on depression and the increasing incidence of cyberbullying through the use of social media websites.

Accessing internet accounts without permission

In NSW 2007, a teenager logged into a person’s online accounts without their authorized permission and received a penalty of 2 years in jail.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-23/charlotte-dawson-death-puts-focus-on-cyber-bullying/5277904

Encouraging suicide

In QLD, 2009 an individual intentionally encouraged another individual to kill themselves through the use of cyber bullying. They received a punishment of 5 years in jail.

Consequences and Recourse

Legislation's

The consequences that can emerge from the inappropriate use of technology are determined by the severity of the situation. Some examples of inappropriate use of technology include: Downloading music and copyright, Cyber bullying and Mobile phones and sexting

Cyber Bullying:

Services that assist

Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) section 31 and section 199; and Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), as amended by the Crimes Amendment (School Protection) Act 2002 (NSW).

Mobile Phones and sexting.

Downloading music and copyright

Telecommunications:

Sexting is referred to as ‘sending someone sexually explicit photographs or messages via mobile phone’.

The copyright law protects the value of an individuals work. When you make unauthorised replicas of someone else's work you are taking the owners works value without their permission.

Consequences:

Lack of Legislation

Chapter 10 of the Criminal Code Act 1995

Consequences:

There are many services that assist individuals being victimized by the inappropriate use of technology these include The Kids Help Line, Bullying No Way, Digizen, Reach out, Cyber smart and the NSPCC helpline

If the issue has become over dominant and you believe you are being severely threatened and harassed by an online predator report the issue immediately to the police on 000.

The consequences for situations involved sexting can be very severe and may effect the decisions that an individual is required to make for the rest of their life. Criminal charges for child pornography and also being registered as a sex offender are just two of the many results that can arise if someone is charged with ‘sexting’.

Making unauthorised copies of copyrighted material may subject an individual to civil and criminal liability. A civil law suit may result in an individual being responsible to cover the expenses of damages. Criminal charges may contribute to a criminal offence being put against your name. Along with fines inclusive of $250,000 and jail time being up to 5 years.

There are no legislations that have been put in place again sexting, but sexting is a crime when it involves people under 18. It is also a crime when it involves harassing individuals of any age. When sexting involves someone under the age of 18, charges of ‘child pornography’ or an ‘indecent act’ can occur.

Recourse:

Seeking legal advice on how to dim the punishment.

Recourse on the issue would include seeking legal advice and devising an agreement on an adequate punishment with the owner of the copyright material.

Example:

Example of an Online Copyright Infringement:

1. Use a telecommunications network with an intention to commit a serious offence (section 474.14)

2. Use a carriage service to make a threat (section 474.15; "carriage service" has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997, i.e. a service for carrying communications by means of guided and/or unguided electromagnetic energy)

A guy recieved an explicit picture from his girlfriends and then shared it to all his friends. The consequences ended up with him serving time in jail.

If an individual makes a copy of a song from their purchased CD, however shares this copy on the internet using a file sharing network, so other people can download it referred to as a copy right infringement.

3. Use a carriage service for a hoax threat (474.16)

4. Use a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence (474.17)

The Kids Help Line

The Kids Help Line is a counselling service available 24/7 with the aim of assisting children and resolving issues that cause stress in relation towards their self worth through providing a comfortable environment in which children can feel safe The service is contactable by email, web messaging or by phone on 1800 55 1800.

Bullying No Way

Bullying no way promotes an environment for all children where they can feel safe, supported, respected, valued and free from bullying. This service strives in order to assist individuals if they feel they are being threatened by on online predator. The site provides useful resources that encourage individuals to stand up for themselves from the effects of inappropriate users of technology.

Digizen

Digizen is a service available that aims to promote users of technology users to become more responsible for their online actions, through providing useful information and advice on how to stay safe within the online environment and actions you can take if you are being victimized by issues such as cyber bullying or stalking.

Reach out

Reach out is a service in which can be utilized as they deal with all issues including the affects on an individual as a result of ones inappropriate use of technology. This service provides a wide scope of information for victims to be aware of.

Cyber smart

Cyber Smart is an online website aimed to help children and families learn about how to use the Internet safely through being cyber smart. Cyber smart provides you with free and private advice online, over the phone or via chat in real time and also interactive games to understand the reality of inappropriate use of technology.

NSPCC helpline

This service obtains the aim of child protection from abuse through a wide range of topics including sexting and online harassment. Their goal is to keep children safe in every circumstance as well as teach them about effective strategies in order to protect themselves.

Cyber Bullying

Copyright

Cyber bullying is bullying carried out through devices including the internet (online) and mobile phones. This could include using SMS, email or social networking sites in order to harass or abuse another individual.

Consequences:

Consequences as a result of cyber bullying may include a cyber harassment charge being put against an individuals name and being sent to a juvenile detention program. Criminal charges and civil lawsuits may be filed against the bully in addition to being expelled from school and sporting commitments at the extreme, due to the acts completed that seemed harmless by the bully.

Recourse:

Recourse on the issue of cyber bullying includes:

• Keeping calm and asking the person to change their attitude towards you

• Record evidence of the bully making the threats towards you

• Talk to an adult or trusted person and block the bully

• Report the issue to the police if it gets out of hand

Example of cyber bullying:

A teenager threatened to kill two of his teachers and a girl at his school on his MySpace page. He was charged with making threats.

Copyright protection is provided under the Copyright Act 1968