Cyberwellness @ Internet

Cyber Wellness...

2007-09-02T22:08:00.000+08:00

refers to positive well-being of Internet users and a healthy cyber culture for the internet community;
involves an understanding of the risks of harmful online behaviour, an awareness of how to product oneself and others from such behaviour;
is a recognition of the power of internet to affect oneself and the community-at-large

4 values underpinning the cyberwellness vision are...

Embracing the Net & Inspiring Others - Youths adopt an attitude of using the internet to make a positive difference to others through their online activities
Aututeness - means develpoing in youths a sense of being 'street smart' when using the internet. This includes (i) developing an awareness of the dangers in cyberspace and recognising the different forms of this danger (ii) identifying and protecting youths from harmful and illegal online behaviour
Respect & Responsibility - The respect for (i) Medium - by not abusing the internet for activities such as hacking (ii) Self and others - by not surfing pornographic sites, putting up false rumours, infringing others' privacy and rights, and illegally downloading copyrighted media.
Beyond the Internet - The balance between cyberspace and the physical world. Internet to be used in moderation. If the balance is not achieved, it may lead to:

(i) Internet Addiction: Spending too much time online that family and friends are ignored and normal daily tasks are affected.
(ii) Addiction to role playing online games: (a) A feeling of an anxiety and discomfort when disconnected from the virtual world (b) Inability to limit gaming activity and to distinguish between the real world and the fantasy world.

Source: The Offline Guide for the Online Generation

Internet Addiction...

2007-09-01T22:30:00.000+08:00

Addiction is a compulsion to repeat a behaviour regardless of its consequences.
Internet Addiction refers to any online-related compulsive behaviour that interferes with a normal living and causes severe stress on the afflicted individual and those who are close to the person.
It is described as an impulse-control behaviour/disorder which is similar to pathological gambling and sexual addiction.
Addicts do not regard the internet merely as an information or communication tool, nor do they utilise it solely for enjoyment. Instead use the internet as a means to escape from their problems while they spend time online.

Symptoms of Internet Addiction include

Preoccupation with the Internet
Frequent thoughts about previous online activity
Anticipation of the next online session
Observable increase in the amount of time spent on the Internet in order to achieve satisfaction

Withdrawal symptoms include

feelings of restlessness, moodiness, depression or irritability when attempt to reduce internet time

Internet Addiction Test (from netaddiction.com)

http://www.netaddiction.com/resources/internet_addiction_test.htm

Some strategies to prevent or counter Internet Addiction

Keep the computer in a place accessible by all, where monitoring internet usage is easy
Agree to time limit for internet use outside school hours
Be involved and interested in the youth's surfing
Parents could spend more quality time with the youth away from the internet, pursue common interests/hobbies/sports
Schools track students' internet usage, keep a record of all the sites visited and install filters

Source: The Offline Guide for the Online Generation

Game Addiction

2007-08-30T08:18:00.000+08:00

Games are addictive because of several reasons:

Design of game: Games are designed such that they are not intended to complete in one session. Within the games, there are sub-plots and mini-games.
Players are motivated to complete the levels of games, and each level is achieved with increasing difficulty.
Games have excitin and elaborate plots that evolve over time.
Some games are on-going, played by gamers all over the world in real-time.
Players who stop playing may be beaten by their opponents and will lost out to those who continue playing.
Players who want to stop cannot stop do so immediately as they must complete certain tasks before they stop. Otherwise, they may ended up at a disadvantage when they next continue.
Many players play as a team. The decision to stop playing depends on all members of the team as well as members of other teams.

"At risk" players are more likely to be younger ones who play violent fantasy games for more than 2 hours a day (Jeanne Funk, 2002). On the other hand, A person may be playing for long hours, but need not be addicted if he/she is able to carry on their daily functioning.

Some symptoms of game addiction

having trouble with school attendance and encountering dificulty in coping with school work
social isolation and depression - avoid family, friends and social functions, preferring online contacts. They tend to find their virtual world more exciting than real life. Hence, they prefer to reduce family and social contacts
sitting at the computer terminal and typing on the keyboard for long hours may result in physiological problems such as neck and back aches, or carpal tunnel syndrome
suffering sleep disturbaces and /or eating problems
feeling good only when playing games
neglecting personal hygiene
getting restless and irritable when they can't play the games.

Source: What do I say to My Net-Savvy Kids? (Digital Games)

Aggression...

2007-08-20T23:23:00.000+08:00

Some behavioural signs of aggressive tendencies include

having strong feelings of wanting to hit someone
feeling angry and ready to explode
easily provoked
short-tempered
threaten others
getting into arguments often
showing irritation when frustrated
feeling suspicious of others
declaring openly that others disagree with him/her
suspicious that others are laughing behind his/her back

Source: The Offline Guide for the Online Generation

Many studies have shown that

Playing a lot of violent games can lead to aggressive thoughts and feelings (Jeanne Funk, Craig Anderson, and Douglas).
There is evidence that players who play even for a short time find that it is easier for them to think aggressive thoughts. Players of these games tend to get involved in more fights and do badly in school.
Those who play for a long time tend to develop aggressive self-concepts adn are more likely to use aggressive means to solve problems. Physical violence may be accepted as a normal way of reacting.
Players, especially boys, are more likely to think that others are hostile towards them. Players of violent games also tend to be less helpful and have less empathy for others.
Players who live in the game worlds for a long time develop notions where they must watch their backs and they must kill in order not to be killed.
Younger children are not mature in their thinking and do not know how to react differently in the real world. They transfer the rules or norms in the game world to real life.
Younger children may not have developed strategies to deal with problems or conflicts. Hence, they are more likely to imitate characters in the games and solve problems faced in real life by violent means.

Source: What do I say to My Net-Savvy Kids? (Digital Games)

Resources on Cyberwellness

2007-06-02T02:33:00.000+08:00

Edumall

Some few measures to protect pupils from potential harm and provides guidelines on Netiquette
http://www.moe.gov.sg/edumall/tl/net/orientation/index_safety.html
http://www.moe.gov.sg/edumall/tl/net/orientation/index_mind.html

"The Offline Guide for the Online Generation - A Cyber Wellness Resource"

Published by NYC and TOUCH Youth Services (TYS) in 2006
http://www.nygr.org.sg/pages/guides_manuals.html

IPOS (Intellectual Property Office of Singapore) - iperckidz

http://www.ipos.gov.sg/main/index.html
Follow the link: Our Programmes > Schools

Media Development Authority of Singapore

Includes some tips on media literacy including online safety for parents, students and educators.
http://www.mda.gov.sg/wms.www/mediani.aspx?sid=134

Internet Industry Association of Singapore

http://www.iias.com.sg/cyberpatrol/SafeSufingTips.htm

Get Safe Online

http://www.getsafeonline.org/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1182

Think U Know

http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/
Activity - find out what your call would be when helping out your friends in an online situation.: http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/yourcall/
Information on key threats to children and young people online

For Kids By Kids Online

http://www.fkbko.co.uk/
On Chat
On Peer-to-Peer
On Internet Proficiency Scheme (IP Scheme, UK)

iSafe

Provides virtual training for teachers.
http://www.isafe.org/
x-Block
Student Tool Kit: To learn about cyber safety and what you can do to teach other students
Predator Tip sheet
i-LEARN Online: Online module

Webquest

Playing it Safe http://coe.nevada.edu/slefevre/playsafe.html
To filter or not to filter http://foxweb.marist.edu/users/kbzp3/group5webquest/introduction.htm
The Internet – a source of promise, a source of concern http://geocities.com/gailcohen14/index.htm
Copyright http://www.edgerton.k12.wi.us/ms/Webquest/index.html

Becta e-safety

http://schools.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=is
Publication: E-Safety (revised)
Publication: Signposts to safety: Teaching e-safety at Key Stages 1 and 2
Publication: Signposts to safety: Teaching e-safety at Key Stages 3 & 4
Publication: Safeguarding children in a digital world
Publication: Internet Proficiency Teacher's pack

GridClub

Cybercafe is an interactive game developed by BECTA, Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and DfES for key stage 2 pupils
http://www.gridclub.com/teachers/t_internet_safety.html
Game on Internet Safety

NetSafe