Students

Hi, my name is Chanel Contos and I'm the founder of the Teach Us Consent campaign.

This campaign asked for Australian school students to be taught consent education earlier, holistically and in every single school, and thanks to tens of thousands of Australians across the country who signed this petition that has now happened.

Ever gotten a DM from someone that's a little bit weird or felt that twinge in your gut, that's told you something's not quite right?

When you live part of your life on the internet, it's very probable that something like this has happened to you before. 

There are lots of strange people on the internet, but obviously not all of them are bad.

So the question is how do you know when someone means you harm?

Number one: If the person's stories aren't adding up. 

Let's be real: Everyone makes things up. But if someone you're speaking to has inconsistencies in basic details and personal interests, it could be that they're not being honest about who they really are and they may be making this information up to play a role in order to get closer to you.

Two: If the person's behaviour is becoming overly familiar.

Online conversations and friendships can develop fast, but they should have limits.

If a person starts asking for information you're not completely ready to share, like around where you live or your sexual experiences, it could be a sign that they have different expectations of the relationship. 

Some internet predators may try to isolate you from your friends. They may claim they're the only one who understands you or supports your dreams. 

While at first it sounds romantic and feels great to meet someone online who just gets you, just be careful. Sometimes this behaviour is intended to make you vulnerable or manipulate you for the benefit of them down the track. Trust your gut.

And finally, number three: They are not respecting your boundaries.

A no is a no, and if someone on the internet is pushing you to do something you don't want to do, like sending nudes, revealing information around yourself or cutting off friends, it is a sign they do not respect your boundaries.

The report and block function on online platforms can keep dodgy people like this out of your life.

The rule of thumb is if your gut feeling is telling you something is off, it's probably right.

Your online connections should bring you joy and help you grow, not leave you feeling uneasy.

If you do find yourself in a tricky situation, eSafety might be able to help. 

They can also help you get mental health support that you need to find your feet again. 

So reach out and know that you're never alone.