Online SafetyThreats and Strategies
What are the threats?
• Most perceived threats are:• Predators• Inappropriate content
• Actual most common threats are:• Cyberbullying• Posting personal information online• Too much information• Unintentional sharing of information
• Sending/posting inappropriate images or information on social networking sites or through texts
Who is at risk?
• There is some degree of risk for everyone, but…• Those children most at risk are:
U
S
U
A
L
S• Adolescents more at risk than younger children
nhappy
heltered
ninvolved, unaware, disinterested parents
dventurous
onely
avvy about technology
Internet Safety Education
• Components• Staying safe• Digital Citizenship• Creating a positive digital footprint• Cyberbullying
• Resources• Bank of resources that schools can access/share• Schools determine their own plan for Internet Safety
education
What areas of Internet Safety will we consider?
• Online Safety• Cyberbullying• Inappropriate Content• Digital Citzenship• The Digital Footprint• Talking to your kids about all of these…
Striking a Balance
Informed Paranoid
Web Filtering
Filtering – why do we do it?
• CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act)• To keep students safe• To keep students from accessing inappropriate
content• Hate sites• Inappropriate images and content• Sites that promote inappropriate habits (drinking,
smoking, drug use, gambling, etc.)• Sites that might put them in danger• Sites that “phish” for information
Filtering – how does it work ?
• Web sites are categorized by our filter company• Sites are blocked by category, such as…
• Drug and alcohol use• Adult content• Phishing and malware• Non-safe search engines• Bombs, guns
• Individual sites can be unblocked if they are miscategorized• By district• By site• By user
• Process• Teacher requests that the site be unblocked through their principal• Principal requests that the site be unblocked through IT• IT checks for security risks or inappropriate content, as well as educational value• Site is unblocked (usually for that site)• Teacher-student equivalent accounts
CyberbullyingWhat can you do?
Cyberbullying is “…the willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.”
-Cyberbullying Research Center
What are its effects?
“It makes me hurt both physically and mentally. It scares me and takes away all my confidence. It
makes me feel sick and worthless.”
Can cause:• Fear of going to school• Low self-esteem• Family problems• Academic problems• Potential for school violence• Delinquent behavior
How common is it?
• 10% - 40% initial reports• Probably closer to 20%
“…repeatedly makes fun of another person online or repeatedly picks on another person through email or text message or when someon posts something online about another person the don’t like.”
What are the challenges?
• People don’t see the harm (not usually physically threatening).
• Areas of responsibility aren’t clear.
Who’s responsible?
“There’s no evidence of a crime or a threat to physical safety.”
“I don’t have the skills to keep up with what my child is doing online.”
.
“I can’t intervene in behaviors that occur away
from school.”
Where does it happen?
How do you escape it?
• Do you ever feel overconnected?
• Do you ever feel like you can’t get away from it?
• Think about how much worse that would be if you were being bullied through those devices…
Why don’t kids report it?
Embarassed
Don’t want their devices taken away.Don’t think parents can help.
Not comfortable sharing it.
What can parents do?
Communicate
Be AwareDon’t punish for being a victim.
Don’t embarrass by“flaming out”.
What can parents do?
Don’t escalate. Empathize.Document if ongoing.
Contact law enforcement.*Be persistent.Block calls or texts.
*Threats of violence, child pornography or sexting, photos in places where they would expect privacy (like a locker room), continual harassment or stalking, obscene or harassing phone calls or texts, sexual exploitation, or extortion.
What can parents do?
Get educated…
Cyberbullying Fact Sheet
Family Media Agreements
How do you block?
• Call provider:
• AT&T: 1-800-331-0500 • Verizon: 1-800-922-0204 • Sprint: 1-888-211-4727• T-Mobile: 1-877-453-1304
Blocking Online
• http://mymessages.wireless.att.com• Must register – can control messages from there
Blocking Online
http://support.verizonwireless.com/faqs/TXT%20messaging/faq.html
To block unwanted text messages from Internet domains and emails:
• Log into My Verizon.• Go to “My Services” and choose “Verizon Safeguards.”• Select “Spam Controls” and click on “Internet Spam Blocking.”• Enter the offending Internet domain or email address, then click “Save.”
To block unwanted messages from a cell device:
• Log into My Verizon.• Go to “My Services” and choose “Verizon Safeguards.”• Select “Spam Controls” and click on “Internet Spam Blocking.”• Enter the offending Device Number, then click “Save.”
Blocking Online
• http://support.sprint.com/support/article/Block_or_allow_text_messages_from_your_phone
• My Sprint (must register your wireless account)1. My online tools
2. Block text messages (in the Text Messaging Section)
3. Block messages
4. Block messages from all senders in my block list
5. Enter the phone #, e-mail address, domain or short code
6. Add
7. Save changes
Blocking Online
• http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-1712• Must be registered on the T-Mobile website
Apps you can download…
• Privacy Star (for Android and Blackberry)• $3 per month
• Handcent SMS (iPhone and Android)• Free
• Check the Android Market or the App Store for other choices
Merrill HooneyPablo PicassoBob SmithMary Smith
If they select you here, you will only be able to
see what they make public.
When you first set up the Facebook account, select a
username that does not reflect your real name (can
be edited later under Account Settings)
It’s also a good idea to use or create an e-mail address that does not reflect your
real name.
How do I talk to my kids?
Questions?
Internet Safety ResourcesFor Parents: http://d20internetsafetyforparents.wikispaces.com/
For Teachers: http://d20internetsafety.pbworks.com/w/page/7173096/FrontPage