bNetS@vvy

It’s that time of year again…Facebook has Back to School Tips for you

Jamila Boddie — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:31:01 +0000

BACK TO SCHOOL 2010

Many students are heading back to school for the 2010 – 2011 school year and our friends at Facebook want to share a few tips on how to remain safe online. See their safety tips below for parents, teens and educators:

Tips for Parents from the Facebook Safety Advisory Board

WiredSafety. Get to know your teen’s online friends, just as you would get to know their friends in everyday life. Talk to your children about where they go online, and who they talk to. Guide them as they select their privacy settings and who they accept as friends on social networks. Make sure the only ones on their friends list are people they know in real life.

ConnectSafely. Try to get your kids to share their profiles and blogs with you, but be aware that they can have multiple accounts on multiple services. Use search engines and the search tools on social-networking sites to search for your kids’ full names, phone numbers and other identifying information. You’re not invading their privacy if they’re putting personal info in public “places” online. If their pages are private, that’s a good thing, but it’s even better if they share them with you.

Common Sense Media. Help kids think long term. Everything leaves a digital footprint. If they don’t want to see it tomorrow, they’d better not post it today. It’s up to kids to protect themselves by thinking twice before they post anything that could damage their reputation or that someone else could use to embarrass them.

The Family Online Safety Institute. Talk with your child about Internet safety as soon as he/she begins using the Internet. It is never too early to start discussing the importance of being a good digital citizen. Teach your child the importance of never sharing their passwords with anyone, including friends.

Childnet International. Encourage kids to use the net to reinforce their interests. Just as you might look out for good TV programs for teens, take the time to find the best and most useful websites for you and your family.

Back to School Safety Tips for Teens from Facebook

Think twice before you post. Remember that what you post today could last a long, long time. Even if you take something down yourself, others may have copied and saved it.

Keep your passwords private. Don’t share your passwords with anyone, not even your friends, and make sure they are really strong ones combining numbers, letters and symbols.

Be a good friend online. Just like in real life, don’t spread rumors or talk trash about people. If you see someone being bullied or harassed, stand up for them and tell an adult.

Don’t talk to strangers. You’ve been hearing this forever, right? Well, the same rule applies online. People aren’t always who they say they are.

Know how to report the bad stuff. Facebook has reporting links throughout our site, on virtually every page. Your report will be anonymous. Because we have a real-name culture, we rely on our users to be an extra set of eyes and ears and to watch for and report content that we’d want to remove.

Keep your parents in the loop. You may know more about Facebook than they do, so teach them how it works, get them to set up an account, and friend them! It may help them understand why social networking is important to you.

Facebook Tips for Teachers from Facebook

Teachers should make sure that you are in compliance with their school’s policies before opening an account. They should also notify parents and receive their permission before asking students to join Facebook. Explain to parents how exactly the tool will be used in the classroom, and make sure all students in your class are over 13.

Create Friend Lists. If you’re a teacher, you can create a Friend List called “students” and adjust your privacy settings to control exactly what your students will see. For example, you could allow students to see your basic information but not allow them to see your tagged photos or wall posts by your other friends.

Use Facebook ‘Groups’ for Engagement. You can create a Facebook Group for a course you’re teaching, or for a specific class project, and invite all of your students to join the group. This will provide a way for students and educators to discuss relevant topics on a platform students love. There is a ‘Discussion Board’ where students can share thoughts.

Share Rich Content. Use the Wall on the Facebook Group to share rich content such as news clips, interesting articles, websites, videos, etc. You can ask your students to do the same!

Discuss Online Safety. Teach your students about appropriate online behavior, including keeping passwords private, never talking to strangers online, and treating others respectfully. Tell them to visit Facebook’s Safety Page for best safety practices (www.facebook.com/safety).

Know Your Resources. Get up to the minute, dynamic content especially for teachers at the Facebook in Education Page (www.facebook.com/education), and check out safety advice for teachers in the Facebook Safety Center (www.facebook.com/safety).

Which social media site is your child visiting?

Jamila Boddie — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:51:04 +0000

These days tweens are masters at navigating the Internet. Have you ever wondered what they do for hours and where they go while online? Well bNetS@vvy has compiled a list of social networking sites that may be popular with your tween. As a parent or guardian it is important to understand the guidelines and rules associated with each site. Some social networking sites have age limits; others are open for any age group and may post information in appropriate for underage viewers. Most social media sites have chat features so it is important that tweens understand the dangers that may arise when sharing information online. Hopefully the list of sites below will keep you abreast of some of the trendy sites frequented by tweens. Feel free to list any sites we have have missed!

www.worldofwarcraft.com

Video, Music and Games: Playing Safely on the Internet

Jamila Boddie — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:35:28 +0000

bNetS@vvy welcomes guest blogger Deb Berlyn

For kids and teens today the Internet is a virtual playground filled with new and exciting ways to be entertained, educated and to interact with friends. And the same rights and responsibilities that apply in our regular lives should apply online in order to have the most enjoyable and safe experience possible while playing on the Internet. Educating kids about what activity is legal, appropriate for their ages and acceptable to your individual household is key to ensuring that they remain secure in this virtual space. Also critical is that as consumers, we avail ourselves of the numerous services and toolkits that our Internet Service Providers offer to enhance the safety and privacy of our kids’ experiences online.

As consumers we must continue to avail ourselves of the ever-evolving resources we have access to as precautions in order to contribute positively to the security of our kids online. In doing so we must also recognize the tremendous impact that the decisions we make facing the screen are as critical as the ones being made behind the screen, beyond the threats that we can see and ward off.

Today ISPs are more than blinking lights on a router or a cord running to a plug in the wall: they allow us to connect to the web and are our partners in ensuring that kids are secure online and that the access they have to entertainment is reliable and protected. Smart network management by providers is a crucial companion to the individual choices we make as parents to ward off threats to our children’s’ safety online.

As educated consumers and conscientious parents, it’s imperative that we support an Internet ecosystem that is fertile ground for innovation and growth, freedom of expression and personal choice. And as we work to make the Internet a safer place for our kids, we recognize the importance of understanding the importance of managed networks in paving the way for a safer virtual playground.

Debra Berlyn is President of Consumer Policy Solutions and has over 18 years of consumer advocacy experience, handling in-depth regulatory and legislative issues. She is a recognized, national voice on the issue of handling online safety and other telecommunications issues.

Prosecuting sexters is taken too far?

Jamila Boddie — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:31:00 +0000

A teen sends a nude photo of herself and finds herself facing criminal charges, so she sues the local prosecutor. On what grounds? Does she have a case? How does this case illustrate the larger struggle facing communities when they try to police teen sexting and its consequences? The New York Times delves into these questions in a March 26 piece, which reads in part:

A survey of 1,280 teenagers and young adults released in December by the National Campaign to Prevent Teenage and Unplanned Pregnancy and CosmoGirl.com found that 20 percent of teenagers and 33 percent of young adults ages 20 to 26 said they had sent or posted nude or seminude photos of themselves.

“Is this today’s example of the sky is falling?” said Bill Albert, a spokesman for the campaign, a nonprofit group in Washington. “No, and I don’t think we need to overreact.”

Internet Safety Month – Sexting and Online Gaming

Jamila Boddie — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 03:45:09 +0000

Sexting

Unfortunately the term “sexting” is not uncommon among tweens today. Sexting has been defined as sending explicit messages or photos to someone over the Internet or through a mobile device. Given that most cell phones have built in cameras, it is important that parents and teachers be aware of the dangers that can occur if a tween is caught sexting. Many schools are required to report known incidents of sexting and in some states receiving an explicit message and/or photo from a minor could result in jail time. Most tweens may view it as innocent flirting not realizing that it comes with serious consequences. Be sure to share the following tips with tweens you may know:

Never share nude photos of yourself with anyone.
Never take photos of yourself that you wouldn’t want everyone to view.
If you receive a nude photo of someone do not forward the photo.
Remember consequences for sexting can be severe.
Remember that messages intended for a particular recipient can easily be forwarded to others.
If you continue to get unwanted explicit messages, tell a trusted adult who can assist you.

NetSmartz Workshop, our 4NetSafety partner with the Sprint Corporation has answers to common questions adults may have about sexting and how to deal with it here.

Online Gaming

Online gaming is fun and can be very entertaining for most tweens. It is important that parents and teachers educate themselves about online gaming. Online gaming is the act of playing an electronic game through the Internet. Some electronic games can be played by multiple players and even anonymous players over the Internet. Guardians should always check the ratings for games to ensure they are age appropriate and set parental controls. Here are a few tips to keep tweens on the right track when playing online games:

Choose gender-neutral, appropriate screen names.
Never give out personal information or share images online.
Block cyberbullies from chatting with you and report it to an adult.
Don’t arrange to meet in person anyone you’ve met online without your parent’s knowledge.
Be careful when downloading software; it may cause harm to your computer.
Make sure your parent or guardian installs security software to prevent virus infections from being downloaded.
Be courteous and use cyber etiquette when playing with others online.

NetSmartz Workshop, our 4NetSafety partner with the Sprint Corporation offers the following tips to parents for online gaming.

Internet Safety Month – Social Networking

Jamila Boddie — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:55:17 +0000

Nowadays it seems like just about everyone has joined a social networking site. Social networking sites are websites that allow individuals to connect with others with common interests or share information via the internet. These websites have become very popular over the years, not just for adults but for children as well. Some social networking sites are specifically targeted for children and tweens. The following sites are pretty popular among children (Gaia, Webkinz) and teens (Facebook, MySpace, myYearbook, Twitter). Joining a social networking site can be fun and have lots of benefits but remember to share the following tips with the tweens in your life.

Be aware of the different features on various social networking sites.
Be cautious about posting information and photos that could be used to identify you or locate you offline.
Be careful that your screen name doesn’t provide too much personal information about you.
Only post information that your parents are comfortable with others seeing and knowing about you.
Remember that once you post information online, you can’t take it back.
Because some people lie about who they really are, be cautious of the information you share with online friends.
Never meet with someone that you have met online unless it is approved by a parent or guardian.
If you feel threatened or uncomfortable because of something online, tell an adult you trust.

Check out the following resources for more information on social networking:

Common sense media offers the following video about social networking tips: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/tips-social-networking

If you are interested in learning the basics about Facebook, NSTeens created this diagram to better understand the website. http://msg4svc.net/static/neabns/images/social_networking_tip_sheet_for_parents.pdf

The safe social networking website created short videos for kids to view on social networking; http://www.safesocialnetworking.com/

Internet Safety Month – Cyberbullying

Jamila Boddie — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:56:33 +0000

Cyberbullying can be defined as using the Internet, cell phones or other devices to send texts or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person. According to NetSmartz® Workshop cyberbullying can have devastating effects on children and can occur at all hours of the day. It has become a significant Internet safety concern among tweens and parents with the number of teens who have attempted or committed suicide in connection with growing cyberbullying rates. Many organizations like bNetS@vvy are advocates for preventing cyberbullying and for informing parents and educators on how to address it. It is important to educate children on their rights and the safety precautions that can be taken to help deal with a cyberbullying situation. Remember to relay these important tips to the students and children you know:

Don’t open, read or respond to messages from cyberbullies.
Tell a trusted adult about the cyberbullying before the situation gets worse.
Save all messages from the cyberbully—they may be needed to take action.
Never agree to meet with the cyberbully in person.
Block cyberbullies from your chat or instant messenger accounts.
If you feel threatened in any way, report the situation to a parent, teacher or the local police.
Remain civil and don’t retaliate since most cyberbullies expect a response to their behavior.
If a friend is being cyberbullied, urge him or her to follow these tips.
Parents should meet with school administrators and/or the cyberbully’s guardian to discuss a plan of action
Some schools have bullying policies in place and will work with you to combat cyberbullying

NetSmartz Workshop, our 4NetSafety partner with the Sprint Corporation, offers these signs that may indicate if your child is a victim of bullying.

A child who is being cyberbullied may:

Avoid using computers, cell phones, and other technological devices.
Appear stressed when receiving an e-mail, instant message, or text.
Withdraw from family and friends.
Act reluctant to attend school and social events.
Avoid conversations about computer use.
Exhibit signs of low self-esteem including depression and/or fear.
Have declining grades.
Stop eating or sleeping.
In serious cases, consider suicide.

“Mike-Tosis”

Jamila Boddie — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:45:10 +0000

NetSmartz^® Workshop is a program of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children^®. NetSmartz partnered with Sprint to create NSTeens.org, a website with Internet safety resources for tweens. The newest NSTeens video, “Mike-Tosis” helps tweens understand how quickly and how widely information may be disseminated via online applications and cell phones. When children put personal or inappropriate information online, they run the risk of having it spread throughout their schools, communities, or even worldwide.

When Allie accidentally lets it slip that she has a crush on Mike Chang, the news spreads around her school through text messages, social networking sites, and online comments. Suddenly, it’s a mad dash through NS High, with Allie trying to outrace online communications and reach Mike Chang before her secret does.

NSTeens.org contains short animated videos, peer response videos, a webcomic, a game, and safety tips for tweens. Each of the animated videos is accompanied by an activity card that teachers can use to reinforce the videos’ lessons. In addition to the animated shorts like “Mike-Tosis,” NSTeens.org hosts Teens Talk Back, a peer response video series. This series can be used in tandem with the animations, allowing children to see their peers sharing stories of online experiences and the “drama” that may arise from sharing information online.

See the full video here.

Internet Safety Month – Sharing Information

Jamila Boddie — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:10:06 +0000

June is officially Internet Safety Month and to celebrate bNetS@vvy is featuring weekly tips for parents, educators and students. This week’s tips will showcase how your tweens can remain safe while sharing information online and how quickly information can spread in your personal life and the cyber world.

Sharing Information

Before you post something online, think about the short and long term impact.
Do not send or post anything online or by text that you do not want to be made public, as this information may be shared quickly and without your permission.
Do not post your cell phone number or home phone number online.
Online profiles and websites should not contain any personally identifiable information like your phone number, address, e-mail.
Do not use your real name when creating screen names online.
Do not forward any questionable information or images that you receive via text as you may be held legally responsible for doing so.
Know how to report problems to a chat room moderator.
Never meet someone offline that you only know through online conversations.
Save copies of your online conversations.
Never respond to text messages from someone you don’t know.
Never let someone you don’t know use your cell phone.
Before you discard of your phone make sure you remove all personal information.

Our 4NetSafety partner, NSTeens.org, is a resource of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and wants to help tweens understand how quickly and how widely information may be disseminated via online applications and cell phones with their newest video, “Mike-Tosis”. When children put personal or inappropriate information online, they run the risk of having it spread throughout their schools, communities, or even worldwide. Share the “Mike-Tosis” video with a tween you know.

June is Internet Safety Month

Jamila Boddie — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:04:34 +0000

Internet safety tips

As part of 4NetSafety, Sprint and the National Education Association Health Information Network offer bNetS@vvy, a resource targeted to adults; offering articles and online-safety tools that adults can use with the young people in their lives. During the month of June, starting the week of June 7, bNetS@vvy will send out weekly Internet safety tips via e-mail to those on their distribution list. Tips will focus on hot safety topics like cyberbullying, social networking and sharing too much personal information. If you would like to receive e-mails from bNetS@vvy, please register your e-mail address in the “Sign Up!” section of the homepage.

June is Internet Safety Month, and Sprint’s 4NetSafety^SM program offers kids, parents and educators the resources they need to make sure that the Internet remains a place of education and fun. 4NetSafety is a partnership between Sprint, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC), the National Education Association Health Information Network (NEA HIN), and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. All services are available free of charge with no registration required at www.4netsafety.com, and many features are also available in Spanish.

“Internet Safety Month is the perfect time to remember that even though the Internet presents many fantastic opportunities for our young people, it also presents potential dangers,” said Debby Ballard, Director of Community Affairs for Sprint. “4NetSafety is there to help kids, parents and educators better navigate the online world so that our children can safely get to the content that’s appropriate for them.”