The Power of No
What does permission and consent mean?
Permission means that you are allowed to do something and consent means that you are giving permission and you have got permission to do something. For example, if you ask someone to get access to an app, you will need consent to get access.
It’s Okay to Say No
It’s okay to say no because you are controlling yourself. Nobody else can control you. It’s your choice. Your teachers, parents, friends cannot ever control you. If someone forces you to do something you are not comfortable with, then you have the power to say no.
This is a story based on two friends playing a game. Zishan invites his friend Maisie in his zone with a join code.
“Wow, this place is amazing!” texts Maisie.
Then Zishan texts back, “Thanks, I really appreciate it,”.
The next day, Zishan logs into the game and finds out that Maisie has passed on the join code to other people.
“Maisie, who are these other people in my zone?” Zishan messages.
Maisie texts back being calm and chilled about it, “Oh, these are just a couple of friends from school! I just wanted to show how cool your zone was,”.
Zishan texted back ” Well, that’s not cool of how you didn’t ask me. I would have said yes, but it is not cool how you didn’t tell me,”.
Maisie didn’t ask Zishan for consent to share the code. This is why consent and permission is important.
THE POWER OF NO
Consent and permission
Although people think they mean the same they actually don’t. Consent is when you are asking for the right to do something. Permission is when you have been told to do so or you already have the right. Permission is you asking for the right and consent is giving the right.
It’s okay to say no
You have the right to say no to things. Sometimes you don’t have the right to say no and it has to be done. For example, if you were playing a game and the company said they wanted your personal information. If you feel comfortable you can say yes but you should be careful, you could be risking yourself. If you don’t feel comfortable, you can say no. All companies have to ask for your permission for any terms or conditions. You can tick the box but the company can’t for you. An example for not being able to say no is when the police need to check you, they are doing it for safety.
Organisations ask for your permission before taking your personal information. This is a law called GPPR. Organisations can be fined if they share information without asking, even schools follow it. When you are 13 you are responsible to look after your own information. Any age under, the information will be kept by their parents.
An example…
Zeshan and Masie are friends. One day Zeshan makes a game and gives Masie the code to it. Masie texts back saying that it was an amazing game. The game was called island X. Masie also types back saying that one day you shoud be a game designer. Zeshan sends back smiley emojis.
the next day…
Zeshan is angry and texts Masie saying have shared the code with other people. I found other people in my zone. Masie saw the message and types back yes I did share it with my friends in school. Zeshan said you should have atleast asked…I might have said yes. He also sent an angry emoji.
Whats wrong?
Masie gave out the code without consent. Zeshan might not know who those people are just because Masie knows them. They might not be at school at all, they might be strangers.
What should have happened?
Masie should have asked Zeshan for permission before sharing it. Zeshan did say he might have said yes. Masie then could then send it to others if Zeshan agreed.
Stay safe on this years safer internet day!