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Cyber Law

Lesson on Cyber-crime:
How safe is the Cyberworld? What is Cyber-crime? What do I need to know to stay safe when I'm online and not fall prey to cyber-crime? How do I ensure that I am on the right side of the law when I am online?


  • Understand the difference between Cyberworld and the real world – know the dangers that lurk in Cyberworld, just as there are dangers in the real world
  • Understand how to behave appropriately online to stay on the right side of the law
  • Give a presentation on the dangers that exist online and present a set of rules on how your fellow students can avoid these dangers

Questions for discussion

  1. How safe is the Cyberworld? How is it different from the real world? There are laws that determine how people should act and behave in the real world – are there such rules for the online world?
  2. What is Cyber-crime (computer crime?) Examples include:
    •  Financial - crimes which disrupt businesses' ability to conduct e-commerce (or electronic commerce).
    •  Piracy - the act of illegally copying copyrighted material. Online theft takes place when any type of piracy takes place that involves the use of the Internet to market or distribute creative works protected by copyright. 
    • Hacking - the act of gaining unauthorized access to a computer system or network, and in some cases making unauthorized use of this access. Hacking is also the act by which other forms of cyber-crime (e.g., fraud, cyber-terrorism, etc.) are committed.
    • Cyber-terrorism - the effect of acts of hacking designed to cause terror. Like conventional terrorism, “e-terrorism” is used to cause violence against persons or property, or at least cause enough harm to generate fear. 
    • Online Pornography - possessing or distributing child pornography is against the law, and in many countries possessing pornography is also an offence. Distributing pornography of any form to a minor is also illegal.
  3. Can you think of other kinds of inappropriate online behaviour? E.g., Cyber-bullying, slander, spreading of lies/falsehood through the Internet.
  4. What do I need to know about Copyright and the Internet to be on the safe side of the law? What is protected by copyright on the Internet? What is the appropriate use of copyrighted material?
  5. What must I do to ensure that I’m making appropriate use of the Internet? How do I stay safe online? Examples:
    • Visit websites recommended by responsible adults such as your parents or teachers 
    • Ensure I get the proper permission or license when downloading files from the Internet
    • Share only legal files with my friends or fellow classmates
    • Check with a responsible adult first before buying any items online
    • When chatting be wary of strangers, and do not respond to people you do not know
    • Just like going outside your house, let your parents know which sites you’ve been to and the people you have been communicating with online. It is important that your parents are informed of your activities online.

Additional resources beyond b4usurf.org:

Internet Crime
Child Pornography
Resources for Cyberethics
Welcome to MediAction! ::.
Software Piracy
Internet Fraud
Cybercrime and Hacking
Child Internet Safety Resources
Internet Safety
PC World - Cybercrime
Criminals enlisting teens as online crime
Internet Dating
Social Networking Sites: Safety Tips for Tweens and Teens
What is the difference between viruses, worms, and Trojans?