Social Networking and Policing

I was just interviewed by Win News Canberra, about the use of social networking by the police. I said how police need to be online, with the electronic equivalent of the bobby walking the beat, getting to know people and recommit a familiar face they can turn to in times of need.

However, online literacy needs to be incorporate into courses for students and teachers. At primary school I was trained in how to make an emergency phone call to Triple-Zero, as telephones at home were relatively new. Similarly children need to be formally trained in how to communicate online, and how to avoid dangerous situations. ACMA have a curriculum for teachers on this, which the AFP should join in.

Also some of this will be discussed at Meta 2011, next week.