Tips for Children Publishing on the Internet

Use the following guidelines before publishing on the Internet.

What to know before you start

• Be aware that what you publish online is available for anybody to view.
• People searching the Internet may view your information and use it for purposes that you may not have intended.
• Do not put things on your web site you wouldn’t want a stranger to see or might cause legal problems.
• Often when something is published on the Internet, it is not always easy to remove.

Getting set up

• Get permission from an adult to create your own website.
• Determine all the technical issues, such as where the site will be hosted and what name the site will have.
• Involve your family and friends in your project. Ask them if they could help out.
• Set yourself goals and time limits for the project.

Protecting your privacy

It is not a good idea to publish information which makes you identifiable, such as:

• Your name
• Home address
• Telephone and mobile number
• Email address
• Names of your family and friends
• Your school details

General publishing guidelines

Your web site potentially can be viewed by millions of people. It is important that you check the following:

• The website is well designed and easy to get around.
• All your words are spelt and punctuated correctly.
• Your facts and information are correct.
• You have checked that the website links work.
• You have checked that all images load.
• Check that all external links from your website go to where you want them to.

Publishing photographs

Special consideration needs to be given to photographs.

• Ensure that no identifying personal information accompanies photographs.
• Group photos rather than individual photos are a safer option for publishing on the Internet.
• Be careful of the type of photos or images published on your website. Make sure they are appropriate.
• Get permission from your family before publishing any photographs online.

Legal issues

Make sure you understand the basic legal aspects of publishing online.

• Copyright - Australia has copyright laws which protect the rights of owners of information.
  If you want to quote from someone else’s work, acknowledge where the information came from and add a reference to it
• Defamation -Be careful about what you write on your website.
  Ask for permission if you are going to write about other people or display photos of them.
  Always respect other people’s feelings and opinions.
  Don’t put any negative comments about other people on your website.

Use netiquette

Use good behaviour online (netiquette). Treat people in the online world as you would in everyday life.

• Be polite, don’t be rude or use bad language.
• Don't write text in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS as it is considered shouting.
• If you wish to make a point put underline strokes before and after the words _like this_.
• Don't pretend to be someone or something different to who you are (although you may want to use an online name or handle).
• You might want to use acronyms such as tic (tongue in cheek) or <L> (laughing).
• You might want to use emoticons to express your feelings such as :) (happiness) or :( (sadness).

Remember security

• Choose a password that won’t be easily guessed by anybody else.
• Keep your password a secret; don’t even give it out to anybody, even your friends.