Members Corner

From members => for members and the community at large.

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If you are a member of the Society and have an email address, you may join the BSPC member's email group by simply sending an email to:
BSPC_Members-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au.


"NetAlert" - An Australian Federal Government Initiative on Protecting Faimilies & Children Online

- Bikash Ghosh, 26 August 2007

It would be fair to say that most of our member families including their children use Internet, which has two totally oppposing sides. On the one hand, it is an indispensible tool for education, entertainment, communication and social interactions; on the other hand, it has a very ugly side that most families wouldn't want their children to be exposed to.


It is in this context, the NetAlert (www.netalert.gov.au) initiative of the the Australian Federal Government should be of inerest to the families of our community. For a background, you may view an improtant message from Senator the Hon Helen Coonan about Protecing Australian Families Online.


In particular, if you have children who regularly use the Internet, please visit the NetAlert web site (www.netalert.gov.au) where you would find a lot of useful resources for protecting them online. The following is a brief summary of some of the information available:


  • Practical information & advice about protecting children online including information about various kinds of threats while online
  • A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety
  • Information about free Internet content filters
  • Free Internet filters that can be downloaded
  • A helpline (1800 880 176)

Besides, there is also a free Internet safety educational program for children (www.nettysworld.com.au)


It is widely acccepted that there is no signle "silver bullet" solution to the Internet threats. In particular, the nature of threats are constantly changing and usually ahead of technology solutions to provide protection from them. Nevertheless, with proper level of awareness of the threats & ways to prevent them, as well as, use of various tools (such as up-to-date anti-virus, anti-spyware/anti-malware & content filter etc.) and resources would significantly help parents to improve protection against these threats in the Internet.


I would like to encourage the parents & care givers in our Society and the community at large to take advantage of this initiative to enhance security & safety of their family & children while online.