PROTECTING YOUTH FROM

ONLINE ABUSE AND DANGER

OBJECTIVES

Gain insight into issues associated with the digital revolution

Discuss primary online risks (what they are)

Explore our roles in protecting our kids through appropriate prevention and intervention (what we can do)

“MAY YOU LIVE IN INTERESTING TIMES” Nearly all young

people are online Teens are multi-

media multi-taskers (research, SNS, videos, blogs, content creation, gaming, smart phones)

Most technologically literate generation

Digital Risks: Inappropriate ConductInappropriate Contact

Inappropriate Content

June 27, 2010 8“An all purpose text-chat-app-gaming-photo sharing-Internet media hub.”

How About Talking???

Cell Phones…..

CYBER BULLYING Using technology with

the intent to repeatedly intimidate, harass, annoy, threaten, embarrass or otherwise cause harm

text and images communicated via computer (e-mail, IM, S.N. web-sites, online gaming, chat rooms)

…or via cell-phone (text messages, pics, online) or other device

Aggression/ Abuse

Youth Voice Project, 2010- Stan Davis and Charisse Nixon.

CYBER BULLYING TYPES

An abusive or threatening text, e-mail, IM, or post (words, pics, drawings, videos) (Harassment)

A website set up to mock others (Denigration) Pretending to be another while posting a message

(Impersonation) Forwarding or posting supposedly private

messages, pictures, or video to others (Outing & Trickery)

Intentionally leaving out of conversations(Exclusion)

Spreading rumors (Defamation)

EFFECTS ON THE TARGET Lack social skills/close

peer relationships-lonely

Have low self-esteem Are often fearful and

intimidated, resulting in lower attendance and lower achievement

Anxious and insecure Depression Emotional/Physical

Pain

Lonely

Low self-esteem

Afraid and intimidated

Anxious

Depression

Humiliation

Emotional Pain

IMPACT

A QUESTION… Is it easier to be

cruel to someone online or in person?

Why?

“DISINHIBITION” CAUSES PROBLEMS! “You cant see me”

(invisible/anonymous) “I can’t see you” (no

tangible feedback) Role playing

(personas/avatars) Think that it is not real

(no one gets hurt-just drama)

Distance and Dehumanization

JAMEY RODEMEYER "I always say how

bullied I am, but no one listens," he wrote Sept. 9. "What do I have to do so people will listen to me?“

Formspring: "I wouldn't care if you died. No one would. So just do it :) It would make everyone WAY more happier!"

"JAMIE IS STUPID, GAY, FAT ANND UGLY. HE MUST DIE!" read one post.

Advice for Victims of Cyber bullying

•   DO NOT reply to messages from cyberbullies

• Do not erase or delete messages from cyberbullies, keep them as evidence

• Do not keep this to yourself! Tell an adult you know and trust!

• Report to Facebook or Youtube, Internet Service Provider (ISP) or cell phone/pager service provider

• You can also report to police…

• DO NOT reply to harassing messages

• DO NOT delete harassing messages-keep them as evidence

• DO NOT keep this to yourself! Tell an adult you know and trust!

• Report to School, Facebook or Youtube, Provider (ISP), or cell phone/pager service provider

• You can also report to police…

Support targets

Consequences for aggression: • inevitable, • predictable,• escalating

Activate bystanders

Bullying Prevention

Safe and affirming school climate• Positive

feeling tone and modeling

• Time spent with young people

Counsel bullies

Stan Davis http://stopbullyingnow.com © 2001

Schools: Policies, Education, and Interventions

HELPFUL RESPONSES FROM ADULTS

Youth Voice Research Project: Top three adult actions reported by youth as helpful: Listened to me Gave me advice Checked in with me after to see if

harassing behavior stopped*Remember that kids often do not report harassment and bullying because they think adults will make it worse (we need to build trust)

PREVENTION: TEACHING OUR KIDS/STUDENTS LIFE SKILLS…

Recognizing and managing emotions Developing caring and concern for

others Establishing positive relationships Making responsible decisions Problem solving Handling challenging situations Behaving ETHICALLY-Benefitsv.

Consequences*Are we doing this now, and how can we do it better? Are we modeling appropriate behavior?

EDUCATION: TEACHING ONLINE CIVILITY Educate: our children need to be

taught how to use technology safely, responsibly, and ethically

This is a shared responsibility Disinhibition… What happens in the online world… Values-treatment of others-Small V. Tall? P4:Pause and Ponder Prior to Posting! Miranda Warning!

EDUCATION FOR YOUTH: CELL PHONES Only give your number to those you

know and trust Don’t take/send/possess pics that are

sexual in nature Remember that your texts/pics can

be easily forwarded Everything on your phone can be

used against you- digital footprints! Don’t text and drive!

CYBER PREDATION

Most cyber predators are NOT violent killers, kidnappers, or pedophiles

They are adult male sex offenders (no profile) who are attracted to, and seek out sexual relationships with adolescents (vulnerable)

Many lie about who they are but many do not use deception: are open about wanting sex from victim

Don’t believe the type!

ONLINE SELF-DEFENSE MESSAGE: SOCIAL MEDIA

Check your online persona monthly: search your name; remove anything you do not want posted

Do you know and trust all of your online friends? Or are you going for the record?

Post information and images that you WANT to share with a WIDE audience……

Cyber predators try to find you based on the information that YOU provide!

Watch your privacy settings!

TECHNOLOGY TIPS 101 Establish and enforce rules (don’t

JUST caution them) Talk to kids: be interested and

involved with their tech use-stay Current, Communicate, and Check

Start with parental controls and filters-cell phone providers also have blocking and tracking capabilities-Open DNS

Family AUP/Internet use contract-clearly specify what can and cannot be done online/with cell-phones

Be reasonable-the “hammer” can cut off communications, reduce trust

http://www.upworthy.com/a-psychic-reveals-his-greatest-trick-its-actually-kind-of-terrifying-2?c=upw1&goback=%2Egde_62650_member_217417060