Category: online safety

Weak Passwords Have Led to $194 Million Being Lost to Scams

Almost half of Australians have easy-to-guess passwords, resulting in more than $190 million (US$127 million) being lost to online scams and hackers so far this year. Some 46 percent use weak passwords to protect their online accounts, a survey conducted for Telstra found. And almost one in 10 base their passwords on their favourite sports club…


Senators Unveil Bipartisan Bill to Set Age Restrictions for Social Media

Legislation introduced on April 26 by a group of bipartisan senators would set a minimum age requirement for social media use and impose other restrictions on how such platforms present content to minors. Sponsored by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Katie Britt (R-Ala.), the bill requires social media platforms…


Parents Urged to Heed Child Online Safety Following 69 Percent Increase in Cyberbullying Complaints

As the new school year begins, parents and guardians have been urged to stay alert for their kid’s online safety after youth-driven cyberbullying content escalated to “concerning levels.” “I urge everyone to be mindful of online safety ahead of the return to school when we typically see reports of cyberbullying spike,” eSafety Commissioner Inman Grant…


Australia Commences New Online Safety Laws to Protect Aussies From ‘Vicious’ Online Abuse

Australia’s new online safety measures came into force on Sunday, which could mean social media platforms are now able to be forced to take down offending posts and, in some cases, unmask the identity of anonymous posters. The wide-ranging Online Safety Act, which passed in 2021, grants new powers to eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant….


Australian Government to Establish Online Safety Youth Advisory Council

The Morrison government is set to establish an Online Safety Youth Advisory Council to combat online trolling and hold social media giants to account. According to a media release on Wednesday, up to 20 young Australians aged 13 to 24 from diverse backgrounds will form the Council, which will advise the federal government on online safety issues…