Technology's double-edged sword
Wellington students are set to take part in a study organised by the Privacy Commissioner to find out their thoughts on privacy, and to develop guidance material produced by young people for young people.
Samuel Marsden College Principal Jenny Williams says students need better education around technology and privacy, and the study will help put students’ ideas into perspective.
“The research will help to teach children ways off applying the technology correctly; it’s a big issue for us.
“They forget that once something is sent and gone it can never come back,” says Mrs Williams.
The investigation will look at how personal online information is used in an offline environment, and how the youth use and share the information.
“We know how popular texting and social networking sites like Bebo and Facebook are, and that there are risks as well as great advantages of sharing personal information online,” says Assistant Commissioner Katrine Evans.
“What is it that young people need to know to help them keep some control over their own personal information?
“We are really excited to have this chance to listen to what young people have to say – after all, they are the people who will determine what privacy will look like in the very near future,” she says.
The project begins in a fortnight's time with a focus group of around 20 secondary school students from the Wellington and Wairarapa area. They will discuss what aspects of privacy cause them most concern, and what advice people their age and younger need to help them make choices about what's happening to their information.
“There’s plenty of great privacy material aimed at young people in other countries but we want young New Zealanders to say what’s needed here, and help us tell others about the issues that are important to them,” says Ms Evans.
The new material should be ready by the end of the year.
