The ‘Global Conversation’ The ‘Global Conversation’ Social Networking Sites Social Networking Sites Teens & Safety IssuesTeens & Safety Issues

Janice DysartCentral Columbia Middle

School

Teens, because of the Internet, the

Web, and various online media, rely less on historical perspective… and rely more on friends… to help them make decisions

What is Social Networking?What is Social Networking?

Software or websites that enable folks to connect, collaborate, and form virtual communities via the Internet

VIDEO – Social Networking in Plain English

VIDEO – Social Networking Basics

Types of Social NetworkingTypes of Social Networking

Blogs – webpages where teens can write journal, reviews, articles, opinions, etc

Wikis – collaborative sites for creating web content

Networking sites – websites where teens can create an online profile, personal networks, communicate with friends, share photos & videos

Social Networking SurveysSocial Networking Surveys

National School Boards Association. Creating & Connecting: Research and Guidelines for Social–and Educational–Networking (July 2007)

Pew Internet & American Life Project.Social Networking Websites and Teens (January 2007)

NSBA & PEW SurveysNSBA & PEW Surveys

NSBA - Online survey of teens, parents, and school district leaders

Pew - Surveyed kids age 12-17. Asked

about how they used social networking sites and why they used them

Sites that let teens build profiles, create personal networks, post comments, communicate with friends, (MySpace, Facebook)

Sites that let teens share photos (Flickr)

22% of teens post photos/artwork they created at least once a week – [NSBA]

What are Social Networking What are Social Networking Sites?Sites?

Sites that let teens share videos (YouTube)

30% of teens view/download videos posted by others at least once a week - [NSBA]

22% have uploaded videos they’ve created

- [NSBA]

What are Social Networking What are Social Networking Sites?Sites?

Sites that let teens share music (Kazaa)

32% of teens download music at least once per week - [NSBA]

Sites that let teens create blogs (Blogger)

17% of teens add to blogs they’ve created at least weekly (30% have blogs) - [NSBA]

What are Social Networking What are Social Networking Sites?Sites?

What are Social Networking What are Social Networking Sites?Sites?

Sites that let teens create/add to Wikis (WetPaint)

16% of teens use Wikis to create and share information - [NSBA]

Networking Site Networking Site ChronologyChronology

1995 – Classmates 2003 – Friendster 2003 – MySpace 2004 – Facebook 2005 – Bebo

What Can You Do on a What Can You Do on a Social Site?Social Site?

Create a personal page/profile

55% of teens have created a personal profile –[Pew]

66% who’ve created a profile, indicate that it’s not visible to all Internet users – [Pew]

70% of girls age 15-17 have created an online profile (57% of boys age 15-17) – [Pew]

What Can You Do on a What Can You Do on a Social Site?Social Site?

Create a personal page/profile

41% of teens age 12-13 have created a personal profile – [Pew]

61% of teens age 14-17 have created a personal profile – [Pew]

What Can You Do on a What Can You Do on a Social Site?Social Site?

Send private messages to friends

82% of teens have sent a private message– [Pew]

Post a public message to a friend’s page/wall

89% of girls (79% of boys) have posted messages/comments to a friends page – [Pew]

What Can You Do on a What Can You Do on a Social Site?Social Site?

Send a group message to your network

61% have sent a group message – [Pew]

Post comments on a friends blog

75% have commented on a friends blog – [Pew]

What Can You Do on a What Can You Do on a Social Site?Social Site?

Post photos, videos, audio files, artwork, writing

Keep in touch with old friends, make new friends

Social Networking GlossarySocial Networking Glossary

Add – being added as a friend in a personal network “Thanks for the add”

Avatar – graphic representing a user (in lieu of a photo)

Profile pimping – decorating your profile with designs, graphics, etc.

Widgets – mini programs users can add to profiles

Popular Social Networking Popular Social Networking SitesSites

MySpace (200 million users) Facebook (37 million users) Bebo (18 million users) Classmates (40 million users) Friendster (25 million users) Netlog (24 million users) Xanga (40 million users) Hi5 (50 million users) LiveJournal (13 million users)

Media Networking SitesMedia Networking Sites

Flickr – photos Webshots – photos YouTube - videos Broadcaster - videos Kazaa - music Blogger - blogs WetPaint - wikis

How Many Teens Use These How Many Teens Use These Sites?Sites?

55% use various social networking programs/sites – [Pew]

96% use networking websites (MySpace) – [NSBA]

77% of girls age 15-17 use networking sites (54% of boys age 15-17) – [Pew]

How Often Do Teens Use How Often Do Teens Use Them? Them?

81% have visited them in the past three months – [NSBA]

71% visit them at least weekly – [NSBA]

48% visit them daily or more often – [Pew]

Why Do Teens Use These Why Do Teens Use These Sites?Sites?

91% use them to stay in touch with friends they see frequently – [Pew]

82% use them to stay in touch with friends they rarely see in person – [Pew]

72% use them to make plans with friends – [Pew]

49% use them to make new friends – [Pew]

Why Do Teens Use These Why Do Teens Use These Sites? Sites?

60% of boys age 15-17 use them to make new friends (46% of girls) – [Pew]

29% of boys age 15-17 use them to flirt (13% of girls) – [Pew]

59% talk about college planning, careers, jobs, politics, ideas, etc. – [NSBA]

50% talk about schoolwork – [NSBA]

Social Networking Social Networking Demographics Demographics

Teens with household incomes above and below $50,00/year use networking sites about the same (55% and 56%) – [Pew]

Teens of all ethnicities use these sites (53% white, 58% non-white) – [Pew]

Teens most often visit networking sites from home (58% home, 42% school) – [Pew]

Boys/Girls & Networking Boys/Girls & Networking Sites Sites

Girls - reinforce existing friendships – [Pew]

Boys - provide opportunities for flirting and making new friends – [Pew]

Boys - more likely use MySpaceGirls - more likely to use Facebook – [Pew]

Networking Sites for Young Networking Sites for Young KidsKids

Club Penguin Whyville Disney XD (DXD) Imbee Neopets Nicktropolis Webkinz

Social Networking Sites & Social Networking Sites & SchoolsSchools

98% use blocking software

84% prohibit online chat in school

81% prohibit instant messaging in school

62% prohibit bulletin boards in school

[all NSBA]

Social Networking Sites & Social Networking Sites & SchoolsSchools

60% prohibit sending and receiving emails in school

52% prohibit any use of networking sites in school

35%, however, allow class/student blogs

22% allow class-related wikis

[all NSBA]

Social Networking Sites & Social Networking Sites & SchoolsSchools

Large, urban, Western school districts are more active users of social networking sites/programs

87% of districts feel that the content must be educational to permit teens to access a social networking site

[all NSBA]

Social Networking Sites & Social Networking Sites & Libraries Libraries

Library staff need to familiarize themselves with what social networking sites are (by using them)

Libraries often provide computer access for teens who don’t have a home computer… therefore libraries need to thoughtfully discuss whether or not to prohibit the useof social networking sites

Social Networking Sites & Social Networking Sites & Libraries Libraries

One way to familiarize staff with social networking sites is to have staff create a public MySpace profile for your library (and keep it up to date!)

Another way is to have staff create a private MySpace profile just for internal staff communication (and then use it!)

Library Folks Using MySpaceLibrary Folks Using MySpace

Kingston High School Library Librarian Dynamite West Chester PA Public Library - Teen

s Juniata County Library Ask Here PA Darby Free Library Carnegie Library of Homestead –

Teens Green Tree Public Library

Networking Safety IssuesNetworking Safety Issues

VIDEO – Once you post your image you can’t take it back

VIDEO – Post-To-Be Private

VIDEO – Web Safety – Online Social Life

Networking Safety IssuesNetworking Safety Issues

Networking sites attract many teens, some of whom aren’t making good choices

Many parents aren’t paying attention to what teens are posting on these sites

Sexual predators, and other dangerous strangers are attracted to sites where teens aren’t making good choices and where parents aren’t paying attention

Risky Social Networking Risky Social Networking Behaviors Behaviors

Posting personal information

Spending an excessive amount of time on these sites

Cyerbullying (being cruel to others by sending/posting harmful material online)

Spending time in risky online communities or communicating with risky individuals

Networking Safety Networking Safety StatisticsStatistics

31% of teens report breaking one or more online safety rules (posting inappropriate pics, using inappropriate language, sharing personal info with strangers, pretending to be someone they’re not) – [NSBA]

Teens with online profiles - 59% limit access to friends, 40% make available to anyone – [Pew]

Networking Safety Networking Safety StatisticsStatistics

20% of teens have seen inappropriate pictures on networking sites in the last 3 months – [NSBA]

18% of teens have seen inappropriate language on networking sites – [NSBA]

7% say someone has asked them for personal information – [NSBA]

Networking Safety Networking Safety StatisticsStatistics

7% have experienced cyberbullying

4% have had conversations on networking sites that have made them uncomfortable

3% say unwelcome strangers have tried repeatedly to communicate with them

[all NSBA]

Networking Safety Networking Safety StatisticsStatistics

2% say a stranger has tried to meet them in person

.08% of teens have met someone in person without their parent’s permission

[all NSBA]

Safety Tips for TeensSafety Tips for Teens

Password protect your personal profile, so only friends in your network can see it

Make sure you really know someone before you add them to your personal network

Blur or morph pictures (or use an avatar) so they can’t be used by cyberbullies or predators

Think before you write something!

Safety Tips for TeensSafety Tips for Teens

Don’t write anything online you wouldn’t say to someone in person

Don’t post pictures or info about friends without their permission

Check what your friends are saying/posting about you

Don’t make your MySpace profile available to everyone

Safety Tips for TeensSafety Tips for Teens

Don’t include your full name, Social Security number, phone number, bank, credit card numbers

Use screen names that don’t identify you

Post only info you’re comfortable with others seeing – and knowing – about you

Once you post information you can’t take it back!

Safety Tips for TeensSafety Tips for Teens

Consider not posting your photo

Flirting with strangers could have serious consequences

Be wary if a new online friend wants to meet you in person

Trust your gut if you are suspicious

Networking Safety & Networking Safety & SchoolsSchools

Most school districts have strict rules against all forms of online social networking during the school day – [NSBA]

52% of districts say that students providing personal information online has been a significant problem (only 3% of students say they’ve given out personal information) - [NSBA]

However… that was before MySpace and Facebook!

Networking Safety & Networking Safety & SchoolsSchools

48% of district leaders hope that networking sites will introduce students to ‘new and different kinds of students’

43% hope that networking sites will help students ‘develop ‘global relationships’

Only 29% believe that these sites will help student improve their read or writing skills

[all NSBA]

Social Networking & Social Networking & ParentsParents

76% expect these sites will help improve teen reading and writing skills

75% expect these sites will help teens learn how to resolve conflicts

72% expect these sites will help teens improve their social skills

[all NSBA]

Safety Tips for ParentsSafety Tips for Parents

Talk to teens about what they’re doing and set up rules about social networking sites

Ask to see their personal profile

Know what their logons/passwords are

Check to see who is listed in their network

Safety Tips for ParentsSafety Tips for Parents

Educate yourself about the social networking sites teens are using (read their privacy policies)

Insist that teens never agree to meet anyone in person they’ve only met online

Check their profiles for any personal info

that needs to be removed

Safety Tips for ParentsSafety Tips for Parents

Encourage teens to talk to you if they feel uncomfortable or threatened while on a social networking site

Remove your teen's profile if they refuse to abide by the rules you’ve set up to protect their safety

Social Networking Safety Social Networking Safety SitesSites

Connect Safely Forum IKeepSafe.org StaySafe.org Stop Cyberbullying The Internet Survival Guide for Parents Facts for Consumers – Social Networking Sit

es OnGuard Online – Social Networking Sites I Tube, We Tube…they all scream for You Tu

be! (PDF)

MySpace (and what to do if you have a problem)