E.H.M.S. Parent/Guardian WorkshopE.H.M.S. Parent/Guardian Workshop

Internet SafetyInternet Safety(In conjunction with E.H.M.S. Open House)(In conjunction with E.H.M.S. Open House)

When: Wednesday, September 19When: Wednesday, September 19thth 8:00-8:30 pm 8:00-8:30 pm

Where: E.H.M.S. Band RoomWhere: E.H.M.S. Band Room

Presenters: Spencer Clapp, J.D., Ass’t PrincipalPresenters: Spencer Clapp, J.D., Ass’t Principal

Shannon Russell, L.C.S.W., EHMS Peer MediatorShannon Russell, L.C.S.W., EHMS Peer Mediator

Officer Jim Murray, E.H.P.D., EHMS S.R.OOfficer Jim Murray, E.H.P.D., EHMS S.R.O..

Topics: What are the Pros and Cons of Online Social Networking sites Topics: What are the Pros and Cons of Online Social Networking sites like MySpace.com and Facebook.com? How can I monitor my child’s like MySpace.com and Facebook.com? How can I monitor my child’s online activities? What about cyberbullying and harassment? When online activities? What about cyberbullying and harassment? When

does inappropriate internet use become a school matter? does inappropriate internet use become a school matter?

Internet 101Internet 101

The internet has transformed the way that we work, play and The internet has transformed the way that we work, play and communicate with others:communicate with others:

Shopping online and the EBay phenomena.Shopping online and the EBay phenomena. Academic research –the largest “library” in the history of Academic research –the largest “library” in the history of

the world.the world. Distance Learning; Job Search (Monster.com)Distance Learning; Job Search (Monster.com) News and Weather.News and Weather. Sharing photos/video.Sharing photos/video. Downloading music and movies.Downloading music and movies. Interactive gaming.Interactive gaming. Chatting (IM); Social Networking (MySpace and Chatting (IM); Social Networking (MySpace and

Facebook)Facebook)

Online Risks to Young Online Risks to Young PeoplePeople

Sexual Predators.Sexual Predators. Exposure to pornography.Exposure to pornography. Exposure to hate/racist sites.Exposure to hate/racist sites. Promoting Illegal activity Promoting Illegal activity (where to buy (where to buy

drugs; how to make explosives; gambling)drugs; how to make explosives; gambling)

Cyberbullying Cyberbullying (via IM and social networking sites)(via IM and social networking sites)

Computer VirusesComputer Viruses

An ounce of prevention…An ounce of prevention…

Locate the computer that your student uses in a Locate the computer that your student uses in a high traffic area where you can see the monitor high traffic area where you can see the monitor clearly (kitchen, dining room, living room).clearly (kitchen, dining room, living room).

Contact your internet provider and tell them that Contact your internet provider and tell them that you want to utilize parental controls (Comcast, you want to utilize parental controls (Comcast, Sbcglobal, AOL, MSN, etc)Sbcglobal, AOL, MSN, etc)

Ask to see your student’s MySpace and/or Ask to see your student’s MySpace and/or Facebook site and monitor it regularly.Facebook site and monitor it regularly.

Check your student’s screen name Check your student’s screen name (example:“sexybabygirl4u4ever” and “GangbangerColt45” (example:“sexybabygirl4u4ever” and “GangbangerColt45”

invite trouble.)invite trouble.)

Revealing Personal Revealing Personal InformationInformation

Personal information can lead a predator or Personal information can lead a predator or troublemaker to your doorstep –name, age, troublemaker to your doorstep –name, age, school, daily schedule, birthday, phone number.school, daily schedule, birthday, phone number.

Photos and videos should NEVER be posted online Photos and videos should NEVER be posted online if they show: if they show:

1.1. Backgrounds that reveal identifying information Backgrounds that reveal identifying information (your house).(your house).

2.2. Sexually provocative poses (for both girls and Sexually provocative poses (for both girls and boys). boys).

3.3. Posturing (holding a toy gun or empty bottle of Posturing (holding a toy gun or empty bottle of beer).beer).

CyberbullyingCyberbullying Is a growing national problem with 19% of teenagers saying Is a growing national problem with 19% of teenagers saying

they have been harassed or bullied online.they have been harassed or bullied online. Examples include: 1. spreading rumors or gossip; 2. posting Examples include: 1. spreading rumors or gossip; 2. posting

photos without consent; 3. stealing passwords to assume photos without consent; 3. stealing passwords to assume someone’s identity; 4. harassing or threatening with someone’s identity; 4. harassing or threatening with offensive language.offensive language.

Kids tend to posture and act tough when they think that Kids tend to posture and act tough when they think that their screen name makes them anonymous –IT DOESN’T!their screen name makes them anonymous –IT DOESN’T!

Young people who are cyberbullied should:Young people who are cyberbullied should:

1.1. Not respond to harassing messages AT ALL.Not respond to harassing messages AT ALL.

2.2. Print out the offensive message(s).Print out the offensive message(s).

3.3. Set up new accounts.Set up new accounts.

4.4. Report the incident to parents/guardians and school officials.Report the incident to parents/guardians and school officials.

IF YOU FEEL THAT YOUR CHILD IS IN DANGER, CALL THE POLICE!IF YOU FEEL THAT YOUR CHILD IS IN DANGER, CALL THE POLICE!

Safer Social networkingSafer Social networking(MySpace.com, Facebook.com, Yahoo.com, (MySpace.com, Facebook.com, Yahoo.com,

Xanga.com)Xanga.com)

Social networking sites can enhance Social networking sites can enhance communication skills; improve writing skills; spark communication skills; improve writing skills; spark creativity; help teens develop a personal identity creativity; help teens develop a personal identity and express themselves; keep in touch with and express themselves; keep in touch with friends and family far away.friends and family far away.

SaferSafer Social networking: Social networking:

1.1. Make your own profile and add your child as a Make your own profile and add your child as a friend.friend.

2.2. Learn the site’s safety features.Learn the site’s safety features.

3.3. Have teens use privacy settings.Have teens use privacy settings.

4.4. Examine their list of friends and browse their Examine their list of friends and browse their friends’ pages (you may be very surprised….)friends’ pages (you may be very surprised….)

Summary and ConclusionsSummary and ConclusionsEducate, Engage, EmpowerEducate, Engage, Empower

Establish rules for internet use --Establish rules for internet use --1.1. Utilize privacy and security settings.Utilize privacy and security settings.

2.2. Monitor internet usage and time (this is why it is Monitor internet usage and time (this is why it is critical to be able to critical to be able to seesee the computer monitor; Is it the computer monitor; Is it homework or MySpace??)homework or MySpace??)

3.3. Tell your child that you want to know IMMEDIATELY Tell your child that you want to know IMMEDIATELY if they are harassed or solicited online.if they are harassed or solicited online.

4.4. If there is a problem use parental controls to If there is a problem use parental controls to monitor websites visited, chat conversations, and monitor websites visited, chat conversations, and other content.other content.

Questions??Questions??