A Lesson in CYBERWORLD
Culture, Customs,
Language, and Safety

INTRODUCTION
MCPS Public Service Announcement

QUESTION
The best place to locate the family computer is:
1.
2.
3.
Child’s bedroom
Home office
Common area in house

QUESTION
My child’s blog is private.
1.
Yes
2.
No
3.
Don’t know

QUESTION
I have discussed safe Internet use with my child.
1.
Yes
2.
No

QUESTION
What percent of teens meet face-to-face with a person they first met on the Internet?
1.
14%
2.
23%
3.
5%

INTERNET
The “Web”
The “Net”
Cyberspace
The “Information Highway”

THE INTERNET – THE GOOD
Global network of information resources
Communication tool
Entertainment
Social network
Commerce

THE INTERNET – THE BAD
Mobile phone risks
Exploitation and scams
Text and email bullying
Spam, viruses, hackers, spyware, and other computer problems
Invasions of privacy

THE INTERNET – AND THE
UGLY
Dangerous strangers
Offensive material
Child pornography
Internet addiction
Criminal activities

JULIE’S JOURNEY

INTERNET STATISTICS
U. S. Department of Justice and University of New Hampshire (2006)
1 in 7 youth received unwanted sexual solicitations online.

INTERNET STATISTICS
Cox Communications & NCMEC, 2007
12% of teens whose parents talk to them “a lot” about online safety stated they would consider meeting face-toface with someone they met on the
Internet.
20% of teens whose parents have not talked to them about online safety stated they would consider meeting someone face-to-face who they met online.

INTERNET STATISTICS
Cox Communications & NCMEC, 2007
70% of 13 to 17 year-olds have personal profiles on social networking sites.

Favorite Teen Social Sites
Xanga
MySpace
Facebook
YouTube
Club Penguin
Second Life (3D World)

INTERNET STATISTICS
U. S. Department of Justice and University of New Hampshire (2006)
34% of youth reported an unwanted exposure to sexual material.

INTERNET STATISTICS
U. S. Department of Justice and University of New Hampshire (2006)
32% of youth reported online harassment or cyberbullying.

INTERNET STATISTICS
U. S. Department of Justice and University of New Hampshire (2006)
27% of solicitors asked youth to take sexual pictures of themselves.

Tracking Teresa

SEXTING
The act of sending sexually explicit photographs or sexual text messages electronically which are primarily transmitted between cell phones.

INTERNET STATISTICS
National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy Survey 2008
20% of teens send or post naked or semi-naked photos or videos of themselves.

Source: MSNBC.com
The sad story of
Jesse Logan
May, 2008

TIPS TO PREVENT SEXTING
Think about the consequences.
Never share photos of yourself that are private.
Think before you hit SEND. Anything on the Internet is public for anyone to see.
Remember that forwarding sexual material is a crime.

CYBERBULLYING
Cyberbullying is intentionally embarrassing, humiliating, threatening, or targeting an individual or group of people using e-mail, instant messaging, social sites, blogs, mobile phones, or other technological methods.

CYBERBULLYING
Cyberbullying comes in many forms, including the following:
Flaming
Harassment
Masquerade
Outing and Trickery

Another sad story
Megan Meier
Source: The New York Times

Can’t Take It Back

WHAT TO DO ABOUT
CYBERBULLYING
Do not respond to harassing messages.
Save all harassing messages.
Tell a trusted adult.
Change your account.
Call police if the contact involves threats of violence, stalking, child pornography, sexual solicitation, obscene calls or text messages.

WARNING SIGNS
Spending large amounts of time online
Presence of pornography
Mysterious phone calls
Receipt of unexplained gifts
Hiding the computer screen as parents approach
Withdrawing from normal activities and social interaction

WHAT TO DO
Talk repeatedly with your child about
CyberSafety.
Review the content on your child's computer.
Check the history of Internet sites your child has visited.
Use Caller ID to determine who is contacting your child by phone.
Move the computer to a central location in your home.
REPORT any questionable Internet activity or content to law enforcement or the CyberTipline.

GUIDELINES FOR SAFE
INTERNET USE
Never give out identifying information such as home address, school name, or telephone number.
Never allow your students/children to arrange a face-toface meeting with someone met on the Internet.
Never respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening, or make your student/child uncomfortable.
Never use personal computers and online services as an electronic babysitter.
Never allow access to the Internet in a space where teachers or parents cannot easily supervise use.
Teachers and parents should be actively involved with children while they use the Internet.
www.nypl.org/legal/safety.cfm

WHEN TO CONTACT POLICE
OR THE CYBER TIPLINE
You find child pornography on the computer.
Your child has received sexually explicit images or communication.
Your child has been sexually solicited.
After contacting law enforcement, keep your computer turned off to preserve any evidence. Do not copy or print any images or text unless specifically directed to do so by law enforcement.

CALL THE CYBER TIPLINE
1-800-843-5678
OR
MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE
Pedophile Section
240-773-5400

For more information go to: www.netsmartz.org
www.netsmartzkids.org
www.netsmartz411.org
www.cybertipline.com
www.iSafe.org
www.ikeepsafe.com