Staying safe online

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Learn how to stay safe online as an Adelaide University student. Find information on online risks, support services and trusted advice from the eSafety Commissioner. 

How to stay safe online

Being online is an everyday part of student life. It supports learning, connection and access to services. Most of the time, these experiences are positive. However, not all online spaces are safe. 

Students may experience a range of issues such as unkind comments or criticism - or those that are more serious. This includes cyberbullying (for people under 18), adult cyber abuse, image-based abuse, or being targeted by scams. 

You don’t have to manage online issues alone. Understanding the risks and where to get help is an important first step. Support is available. 

The eSafety Commissioner gives 5 tips for a safer internet: 

  1. Be kind 
  2. Balance time spent online 
  3. Speak up 
  4. Protect your space 
  5. Talk about online safety with your networks 

FAQs about staying safe online

Cyber abuse is behaviour that happens online and intends to cause harm, fear or distress. It may come from someone you know or a stranger. 

Cyber abuse can occur through social media, messaging apps, email, online forums or learning platforms. 

Examples of cyber abuse include: 

  • threatening or abusive messages 
  • harassment or stalking online 
  • impersonation or fake accounts 
  • sharing personal information without consent 
  • image-based abuse, including sextortion 

If something feels unsafe or upsetting, please take it seriously and seek advice. 

Read the eSafety Guide for more information about cyber abuse and what you can do about it. 

If you experience online abuse, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. 

  1. Do not respond
    Responding can escalate the situation. 
  2. Save evidence
    Take screenshots and keep records of messages, usernames, dates and links. 
  3. Use platform tools
    Block, mute or restrict the person where possible. 
  4. Report the behaviour
    Report it through the platform where it occurred. If there is no response within 48 hours, you can report it to the eSafety Commissioner. Image-based abuse can be reported immediately. 

If you feel unsafe or distressed, reach out for support as early as possible. 

Most social media platforms, apps and websites have reporting tools built in. These should be your first step. 

If the platform does not respond, or if the behaviour is serious, make a report to the eSafety Commissioner. The eSafety website can help you with: 

  • cyber abuse 
  • image-based abuse 
  • serious online harassment. 

You can also make a report to SAPOL. 

Reporting online abuse helps stop harmful behaviour and may prevent others from being affected. 

At Adelaide University, support is available for students who experience online harm. 

Contact the Integrity Unit for assistance with managing and reporting online abuse. 

Free and confidential counselling services are accessible to help you manage distress and choose your next steps. 

You can book an appointment with a counsellor via the online booking page or by emailing counselling@adelaideuni.edu.au. 

Adelaide University’s graduate research students and their immediate family can also access the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), provided by Human Psychology. Call 1300 277 924 for a confidential discussion or email counselling@adelaideuni.edu.au.

You don’t have to deal with online abuse alone. Support services can help you feel safe and supported. 

External contacts you can reach out to include: 

Tell me about scams 

A scam is a crime. It happens when someone tries to trick you into giving them money or using your personal information without your permission. 

Scams are illegal - even if no money is taken or the attempt is unsuccessful. 

Scams can occur online, by email, over the phone or through social media. Students are often targeted because scammers assume they might be busy, new to software/systems, or are managing money for the first time. 

Knowing what a scam looks like is one of the best ways to protect yourself. 

Find out more at online scams. 

FAQs about scams

A scam is a crime. It happens when someone tries to trick you into giving them money or personal information, or into using your identity without permission. 

Scams are illegal, even if the attempt doesn’t succeed. 

Scammers may contact you by email, text message, phone call or social media. They often pretend to be from a trusted source, such as a workplace, organisation, business or government service. 

Scams often share common warning signs. 

Be cautious if you receive a message or offer that: 

  • seems too good to be true. 
  • pressures you to act quickly. 
  • asks for payment in unusual ways, such as gift cards or cryptocurrency. 
  • requests personal details, passwords or verification codes. 
  • comes from an unknown or suspicious sender. 

If something feels wrong, trust your instincts and pause before taking any action. 

You can reduce your risk of falling prey to scams by taking these simple steps: 

  1. Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unexpected messages 
  2. Do not share personal information unless you are certain you are dealing with a legitimate source 
  3. Check potential scam requests by contacting the organisation directly using official contact details 
  4. Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication where possible 

If you are unsure, seek advice before responding. 

Scam emails often look convincing but include small warning signs. 

Be sure to check for: 

  • email addresses that look odd and do not match the organisation’s official domain 
  • spelling or grammar errors 
  • unexpected attachments or links 
  • requests for urgent action or confidential information. 

Adelaide University will never ask for your password by email. If you are unsure whether an email is genuine, do not click links and contact the organisation directly. 

Job scams often target students looking for flexible or part-time work. 

Be cautious of job offers that: 

  • Promise high pay for little work 
  • Ask for upfront fees or personal details early 
  • Request you to move money or purchase items on someone else’s behalf 
  • Come from personal email accounts rather than business addresses 

Always research the employer and role before applying. If a job offer feels unusual or rushed it may be a scam. 

Where to go for help

ScamWatch 

If you have lost money to a scam or shared personal details with a scammer, it can be difficult to recover what was lost. 

However, there are steps you can take immediately to limit the impact and protect yourself from further harm. 

ScamWatch provides clear advice on what to do next. This includes how to report a scam and where to get help. 

Acting quickly can reduce the risk of further loss. 

What to do if you've been scammed

Counselling

For students 

Counselling for students is free of charge and available from Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.  You can book an appointment online or by phone:   

  • Metropolitan campuses: 1300 301 703 
  • Mt Gambier Campus: (08) 8723 1999 
  • Whyalla Campus: (08) 8645 8233 

Graduate Research Students can also access support via the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). 

For staff 

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is free of charge and available to all Adelaide University employees and their immediate family.  Appointments are available from Monday to Friday, 9am - 5.00pm and can be booked by calling:   

  • Metropolitan campuses: 1300 277 924 
  • Mt Gambier Campus: (08) 8723 1999 
  • Whyalla Campus: (08) 8645 8233