Raising Responsible

Digital Citizens

We live in a digital world

93% of youth are online

in one way or another

We live in a digital world

A majority of tweens and teens view

their mobile device as the key to their

social life.

Digital Natives

• Born after 1990

• Highly connected

• 97% play video games

• 75% have hand-held

device

• 68% use IM

• 70% use SN sites

• Easily adapt and adopt

• Generate content

Brave new world

• Personal relationships

heavily influenced by

“bubble” that the Internet

represents – many feel

more confident online.

• Accept web as

dominant medium

for social interaction with

peers

• More comfortable with less

privacy

The time machine

• Time spent online up to 13

hours per week from 8

hours five years ago

• Social Networking and

games dominate time spent

• Pediatricians recommend

no more than 2 hours/day

for youth

Social media

#1 Favorite

Pitfalls

Friend or Foe?

• Easy to fake online persona

• Predators adapting to Social

Networks

• Gaming environments like

Xbox 360 allow kids to talk

and play with others around

the world without knowing

who they really are

“15-year-old girl” on

Facebook

Adults only

• Pornography more available

and graphic than ever

before

• Increasing chances of

accidental exposure due to

spam attacks on social

networks

• Average age for first

exposure to pornography is

10

Buckle up

Cyberbullying

definition

Any form of electronic communication, on or

off school grounds, that causes harm, or

serious emotional distress to students or

school personnel.

• Mean spirited comments, hate speech

• Posting sensitive or private

information about someone

• Lies or rumors

• Images

definition

Any form of electronic communication, on or

off school grounds, that causes harm, or

serious emotional distress to students or

school personnel.

• Texts or Instant Messages

• Snapchat

• Instagram comments

• Ask.fm

No escape

• UbiquitousPhones, computers

• PublicVisible to anyone

• ConstantSchool, play, home

• ViralSocial mediums

• SeriousRisk of suicide

Solutions &

strategies

Communication is key

• Ask specific

questions about

online activities

• Ask them what they

think about online

bullies

• Tell them to tell you if

they encounter kids

being mean online

Be vigilant

Look for:

• Changes in online

activities

• Changes in mood

• Shifts in attitude towards

social activities

YOU decide

• Decide when your

kids are ready for

social media

• Stress respect of

others

• Consider maturity of

peers and child

• Set clear rules

• Set clear

consequences and

follow through!

How to act / react

• Take the problem

seriously

• Assure your child you

will make it stop

• Don’t react to the bully

• Record and report

Be proactive

• Get savvy

• Get interactive

• Get the right tools

Set Ground rules

• Never share names, schools, ages, phone number, or address

• Keep sport team names and other activities private / keep routines private

• Never send pictures to a stranger

• Keep passwords private (except to parents)

• Never open email from strangers – it may contain viruses or inappropriate materials

• ALWAYS tell an adult (Parent, Teacher, Family member) if something mean or creepy happens

Set Ground rules

• Remind them to be good cyber citizens – if you wouldn’t

do it in real life, you shouldn’t do it online

• Keep the computer in a central place

• Bookmark sites your kids use regularly to avoid

“searching”

• Check the History on your computers Browsers.

• View your own habits carefully – you are a role model

• Be involved – show interest in sites they visit - If you

ignore them too many times, they will stop sharing

Kids Rules

1. I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parents’ work address/telephone number without my parents’ permission.

2. I will tell my parents or teacher right away if I come across something that makes me feel uncomfortable.

3. I will never agree to get together with someone I “meet” online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and bring a parent along.

4. I will talk with my parents about posting pictures of myself or others online and not post any pictures that my parents consider to be inappropriate.

5. I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do I will tell my parents or teachers right away.

Kids Rules

6. I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online and using

a mobile phone. We will decide upon the time of day that I can be online, the length

of time I can be online and appropriate areas for me to visit. I will not access other

areas or break these rules without their permission.

7. I will not give out my passwords to anyone (even my best friends) other than my

parents or teacher.

8. I will check with my parents before downloading or installing software or doing

anything that could possibly hurt our computer or mobile device or jeopardize my

family’s privacy.

9. I will be a good online citizen and not do anything that hurts other people or is

against the law.

10. I will help my parents understand how to have fun and learn things online and

teach them things about the Internet, computers and other technology.

MusicMonitor music downloaded

through iTunes and limit

access to explicit content.

WebsitesMonitor websites based on

categories and enable Safe

Search on web browsers.

VideosMonitor and filter Online TV by

show rating and block

inappropriate YouTube clips.

Instant MessagingMonitor or block instant

messaging applications and

online chat rooms.

GamesLimit online interactions with

popular games and restrict access

to gaming websites.

Social NetworkingMonitor postings on social network

sites for personal information or

block social networking sites.

Instant AlertsText Message, Email or Phone

alerts when someone visits

inappropriate content.

EmailChoose to block email, allow it

with only approved contacts, or

allow unrestricted email.

Time LimitsChoose the times of the day that

the Internet is available or set a

total time that can be spent online.

Multiple ProfilesSetup monitoring and filtering

policies for each user.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/parent-

concerns

https://safesmartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-

teachers/

Sources used:

• www.commonsensemedia.com

• www.internetsafety.com

• http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/net_safety

.html#

• http://www.netsmartz.org/InternetSafety

• http://www.safekids.com/kids-rules-for-online-safety/

Questions?