PARENT GUIDE

Resource Guide Designed by:

Eliezer Jones, Ph.D. Educational Technology Specialist Institute for University-School Partnership

Children a in Age Digital Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration Yeshiva University

In today’s fast paced Often parents either make digital age, often parents feel quick and extreme decisions Contents: left behind while their children or no decision at all regarding Social Media! 2-5 seem to be easily navigating technology because they just Compiled by Eliezer Jones, Ph.D every rapid change and don’t know enough about it. innovation. It is no wonder We hope this guide begins to Internet & Technology! 6-7 Compiled by Rabbi Norman many parents are at a loss of assist parents in making Lowenthal, MSW, MS Ed., LCSW-C how to assist, monitor and informed decisions about guide their children through technology, social media and Cyberbullying! 8-12 the digital maze of the Web the internet that are best for Compiled by Rona Novick, Ph.D. 2.0 explosion. their children and family.

Special thanks to Yeshivat Noam (Paramus, NJ) for their partnership in addressing this important issue. We would also like to thank Rabbi Norman Lowenthal, MSW, MS Ed., LCSW-C ([email protected]) and Dr. Rona Novick([email protected]) for their contributions to the guide. A division of Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration "KinzChat PLUS" area. In that area prewritten phrases. Parental approval (recommended for ages 10+), kids is required for more advanced can only use words from the site's chatting ("Open Chat" and "Speed dictionary. Chat Plus"), which is watched over by human moderators. A warning: Teach ClubPenguin.com: This hugely popular kids the difference between Dgamer's Disney-owned website charges a "public chat" (where strangers can membership fee (about $5/month, read and join their conversations) and depending on the plan you choose). "private chat" (limited to those you've Kids are represented by penguin Social Networking Sites for Kids approved as friends). avatars rather than by images of The most popular digital communities themselves. By playing games, they YOUNG TEENS AND BEYOND for every age By Melissa Rayworth, Parenting earn virtual money to clothe and accessorize their penguins and MySpace and Facebook were once the realm of college students and Today, kids start wading into decorate their igloos. They can send grown-ups, but high school and even the social networking waters other penguins a "buddy invite," visit middle school kids have discovered as soon as their little fingers their igloo, chat using predetermined them. Facebook is now open to can type, exploring digital phrases -- unless they get clearance anyone 13 and older, and the "communities," many of them from parents to chat freely -- and send minimum age on MySpace is 14. designed mainly to stoke postcards, among other things. (They Sound far away? Your kids may their fascination with can also snub each other!) Designed already be seeing their friends' older particular toys. New sites for kids 6-14, but open to all ages. siblings using these sites, or they may launch constantly, targeting ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE even have fudged their birthdate to an ever-younger audience. SCHOOL register themselves! If you're not KINDERGARTEN THROUGH already using them, learn about them Whyville.com: Free, designed for kids EARLY SCHOOL AGE now. 8-15. Like Webkinz and ClubPenguin, The focus is on communal it involves playing games to earn Both sites offer broad freedom to post game-playing and earning virtual money (in this case, "clams") words, images, audio files and video. points to buy virtual things, for use in building an avatar. Rather So step one is talking with your kids rather than socializing. than being represented as a cartoon about the importance of not sharing There's some messaging animal, Whyville members create personal information with strangers, Social Media between friends, but most avatars that represent their physical not posting photos that could sites allow young kids only selves. That's one step closer to the embarrass themselves or their friends, to post messages using vibe of more grown-up sites, but it's and steering clear of cyber-bullying. prewritten, generic phrases or words still more a virtual world/gaming But the risk with these sites is that from a tightly restricted dictionary. space than a true social networking anyone can post a comment about Kids can't share personal information site. Chat among new members is your child or identify them in the like a home address. Among the most restricted to prewritten phrases, but caption of an embarrassing photo -- popular: those who pass a "chat license kids can't control their friends' test" (to show they understand online behavior. Older versions of a web Webkinz.com: Free for one year with safety) have more freedom to type page are stored on servers and can purchase of a Webkinz or Lil'Kinz toy. personal messages to friends. Some pop up when your child least expects Owners feed and clothe digital words are blacklisted. This site doesn't it" --" like during the college versions of their plush "pets" and play hawk toys and is more educational admissions process. games to earn virtual "KinzCash." than most. They can play video games against Your child shouldn't accept "friend other kids or take quizzes designed Dgamer.com (Disney XD): Access is requests" from people he or she for players 5+. They're rewarded for free with purchase of certain Disney doesn't know well. Join these sites spending lots of time on the site, so video games. Kids have avatars, can along with your kids and immediately you may need to impose time limits. chat and send virtual gifts, but the set up a "friend" connection with Safety-wise, kids can't type messages priority is gaming via the networking them. They may not like it, but then that go beyond select phrases unless capability of a Nintendo DS. The you can see who their friends are and a parent approves their access to the basic chat function allows only what they're posting.

2 • Talk to your kids/students about to learning superfluous personal details what is appropriate and not FACEBOOK LINGO appropriate information to about casual acquaintances (see release on the Internet. Take an "Status Update"). active role in their digital life. Profile: A group of pages that act as a combination of an online journal, Poke: A friendly—and sometimes • Protect your kids digital identity message board, and photo album. flirtatious—way of saying hello to by creating news alerts for their name on Google, Yahoo! & Facebook profiles may include your friends and more-than-friends. To send MSN. work information, hometown, photos, a virtual poke, click on the related link interests, and messages from friends on on friends' profile pages. Your friends • Talk about the implications your "wall" (see next entry). receive private notification of the “lifecasting (a continual action—letting them know you're trying broadcast of events in a person's life through digital media)” can Wall: A virtual message board on to get their attention. We say: Keep and will have on their future. Facebook, where friends type poking to a minimum. And if you do it, messages and can comment on the remember your manners: All poking • Remind kids that the web is that photos, videos, and status updates should be welcome and consensual. "permanent record" we were all you've posted on your profile. The wall warned about. Even though you can be a source of embarrassment News Feed: This up-to-the-minute go back and change that blog entry or delete that embarrassing when friends leave messages feature on the Facebook home page photo, the information is archived referencing incidents best left alerts you to your friends' profile on the Internet Archive/Wayback unmentioned (often beginning with "I updates—photos added or work Machine. was just remembering that time..."). information changed, for example. The This is where the delete function comes news feed was a controversial feature • Whether it's Club Penguin, in handy. when it was added in 2006, as users MyYearbook or MySpace--make sure your kids learn how and first believed the constant broadcasting why they should use privacy Status Update: This feature lets you of information would violate their filters--and then double check to post a short note about your status privacy (see next entry). make sure they are using them. (what you're doing at any given time) and lends itself to abuse by the Privacy: A term dating back to circa • Visit the sites your kids use and read the TOS (Terms of Service) uninhibited ("Jane is going to the 2004...before the invention of proctologist"). To tell all (or just a and/or Community Guidelines. Facebook and other social-networking Learn how to report abuse and little), fill in the "What's on your mind?" sites. Generally regarded as passé. share the information with your field on your personal profile page kids. And while you're at it, learn and click on the button to share. Source: http://www.aarp.org more about the Children's Online ______Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Friend: Anyone whom you accept into • Social networks are self-policing, your online circle, and anyone who Decoding Internet Lingo if you find objectionable content, accepts you into theirs, is called a & Character Symbols bullying or other abuse—report it! "friend," whether the person is a close Think of it as a 21st Century relative or a complete stranger. This http://www.theantidrug.com/advice/teens- Neighborhood Watch program. title in no way confers an actual today/teens-and-technology/internet- http://www.debaird.net/ relationship of any sort and may lead lingo.aspx

3 able to create a profile as an adult and therefore charging one cent to a credit card. Beyond that, the browse friends in “my grade,” which I selected as site provides the social networking experience that seventh. Unlike the other sites, however, the What’s comes closest to mainstream social media networks, What team had discovered my adult presence (via making it more appealing to older children who want those mug shots) within about six hours and blocked more autonomy than is allowed on some of the other my profile. sites.

While children are free to interact with people they Profile pages function much like a Facebook wall: don’t know, they can’t make friends with people who friends can leave comments, children can update their are out of their age group (in their grade or one grade status, and activity on the site — like joining groups — below or above theirs) without parental permission. is reported on their page. Children also have options 5 Fun and Safe Social Networks Beyond this, the network functions much like the to send private message, upload photos, and join the for Children others: users can exchange messages, make friends, fan pages of celebrities like the Jonas Brothers and join and create groups, and view their friends’ profiles. Ryan Seacrest, which are updated via the celebrities’ TOGETHERVILLE Parents can edit or delete their children’s profiles at Twitter feeds. any time, and everything posted on the site is Parents can sign up their children by using their own monitored. As far as the social media experience goes, giantHello Facebook accounts to create a profile for their kids on parts from its mainstream counterpart by removing this Facebook-like site. Once parents have selected The intended age group for the site is between 8 and the “search for friends” function. Children need to friends for their children by searching other students 14, which seems realistic given that two big draws of either invite friends via an e-mail or print out a page at their child’s schools, adding family friends from social networking — the ability to “make friends” with with an invitation code to give them. Therefore, they their own Facebook profiles, and sending e-mail new people and share your thoughts with others — are can’t make friends with people who they don’t know. invites, children have access to selected YouTube retained. videos, games, and creative projects. The site has other Skid-e Kids features that mirror Facebook, like the ability to SCUTTLEPAD “heart it,” buy and send gifts using a virtual currency Skid-e kids relies on staff moderators for most of its (the twist is that parents give the currency to their To sign up for ScuttlePad, kids provide their birthday, security features: if a comment is flagged by a filter children free of cost as “allowance”), and share videos favorite color, first name, and parent’s e-mail address, for inappropriate language or disclosure of personally and other parts of the site with their friends. and they’re not allowed on the site until their parents identifiable information, it is sent to human approve it. Once logged in, they’re free to post moderation; all photos are checked by moderators; Where the site departs from Facebook puts many messages, make friends, upload photos, and make users submit articles and stories for a “written by you” parents’ minds at rest: no outside links, no comments — but with a catch. All comments on the site section that are edited for inappropriate language and unapproved friends, and no private conversations. In need to follow a given format and use a given set of personal information before they’re posted; and order to post original comments instead of pre-set words. Messages are composed within the framework, interest group pages are moderated. options, children must agree to this code of conduct: “I “I’m click, click, click,” with each click leading to a agree to not say anything mean or hurtful, not say choice of words. Photos are manually approved by Unlike most sites, parents and children both are embarrassing things about myself, my friends, or my ScuttlePad, and only first names are used on the site. encouraged to create profiles on the same network. family, and take responsibility for what I say on Users can exchange messages, update their statuses, Togetherville.” The comment outline feature makes the site more upload video (which needs to be approved before it is secure. Realistically, anyone of any age, with any posted), and compete against each other for high Togetherville’s target age group is under 10, which malicious intention, could sign up, but it’s hard to do scores on any of the free games on the site. makes pre-set comment options like “Hampsters are much damage with the pre-set communication options. Unfortunately most of these games are prefaced by so CUTE!” understandable. The site also facilitates Similarly, it’s impossible to cyber bully or even really ads, and although they are advertised as educational, parents’ participation in their children’s introduction to hurt anyone’s feelings using the preset options. it’s hard to see how something like “Powerpuff social media by encouraging parent-child interaction. coloring” fits this description. Not only can parents view their child’s social network On the other hand, this feature can be restricting to activity, but they can also post messages to his or her the point of making the online experience dull to older The advantage of this site, especially for older wall, allocate “virtual allowances,” and send virtual kids. The site is intended to teach children ages 6 to 11 children, is that much of the moderation is provided by gifts. about how to use a social media site, and it definitely the site itself. Parents aren’t required to constantly accomplishes that goal. It might be most engaging, check in or approve decisions, but can instead focus on WHAT’s WHAT however, for kids on the younger end of that age interacting with their children on the same network. group. This site is probably the most secure social network for http://mashable.com/2010/10/11/social-networks- kids on this list. In order to sign their children up, giantHello children/ parents need to submit their credit card information to verify their identity and they must submit three mug Parents can verify their identities and sign their shots (taken with a webcam) of their child for the children up for giantHello by either providing the last site’s records. As with every site on this list, I was still four digits of their social security number or by

4 Growing Up Online on preventing and investigating http://www.pbs.org/ cybercrimes education, providing wgbh/pages/frontline/ information on online safety, privacy kidsonline/ and security. Cross-Generational Dialogue on the FRONTLINE on PBS Ethics of Digital Life released a new program Safety is No Game. Is Your Family Set? http://bit.ly/9TZXRX discussing how the Make a PACT Today! Internet is transforming http://download.microsoft.com/ MySpace Safety for Parents & childhood. download/d/1/8/d181ee58- Teachers de70-4484-936b-0e9161ccd6b2/ http://bit.ly/MySpaceSafety101 iSAFE America PACT-Retail-12.14.07.pdf http://www.isafe.org/ A tool to help promote healthy and Social Safety iSAFE is a non-profit balanced media use. From Microsoft http://www.socialsafety.org/ organization that offers and National PTA. Internet Safety education Tips from Microsoft on how to and materials for Childnet International manage your online reputation students, teachers, http://www.childnet-int.org/ http://www.microsoft.com/protect/

resources parents, and law A non-profit organization working parents/cyberethics/reputation.aspx enforcement. with others to help make the Internet a fun and safe place for children. Facebook Safety Resources for StaySafe.org Parents, Teachers & Teens http://www.staysafe.org/ Center for Media and Child Health http://www.debaird.net/ Wide range of information on http://www.cmch.tv/ blendededunet/2010/04/facebook- computer, gaming and Internet safety. Conducts and advances scientific security-and-safety-resources-for- Materials for kids, teens and parents. research on the effects of media on parents-teachers-teens.html young minds and bodies; develops IkeepSafe and evaluates clinical interventions; Tips for Using Facebook with Youth http://www.ikeepsafe.org/ and educates children, parents, and http://www.debaird.net/ The Internet Keep Safe Coalition the public on media and their effects blendededunet/2009/09/tips-for- group teaches basic rules of Internet on the physical, mental, and social parents-teachers-using-facebook-with- safety to children and parents. health of all children. students.html Governors and/or first spouses formed this coalition in partnership Social Networking Safety tips for Facebook for Parents with crime prevention organizations, Bebo, Facebook, MySpace and http://facebookforparents.org/ law enforcement agencies, YouTube: http://buk.cc/cNwSP9 foundations and corporate sponsors. Kids In Mind Recommended privacy settings for http://www.kids-in-mind.com/ WiredSafety young teens -- and their parents Site for detailed and complete http://www.wiredsafety.org/ http://thenetwork.typepad.com/ information about movie content. WiredSafety is an online safety, architectureofideas/2010/02/from- education and help group that private-to-public-building-a-teenagers- focuses on assisting law enforcement capacity-to-network-pt-1.html 5 How to Talk To a Teen About your teen to turn away. Acknowledge the Internet their feelings with something like, "I Adapted from: www.cyberangels.org can understand how you would feel that way." Take a moment and step out First and foremost, be sure in your of your parental shoes and step into resolve to listen to your teen, not his/hers. How would you like someone judge. Make sure you, as the parent, to respond to you? are ready to hear ALL that your teen Realize that you do not have total control and power over your teenager: may tell you. • Put the computer in a As they say, where there is a will there Communicate openly with common room not in the is a way. If your response to your him/her. Start with child’s bedroom. child's concern is to eliminate, to take conversations, not • Learn about the away, to deny you may inadvertently interrogations. It is vital to technology. Ask your child cause your teen to rush full speed open the doors of to be your guide. ahead into a potentially dangerous communication with your • Talk with children/teens situation. However, even without teen, so that they may about what they may and ironclad control, you have something come to you without fear. may not do on line. more powerful. You have influence. Offer your support in a • Set limits. Decide if, how Through communicating and non-judgmental way with often and for how long empowering your teen, you can help questions such as, "You your child can use the him/her to make the right seem bothered technology devices. decision. The key here is, you by something, is • Learn what your child uses allowed them to make the there anything I the computer or other decision, and you didn't can do to help?" technology for. make it for them. Offer to listen, • Teach children/teens that Set limits and boundaries together. "Would you like to talk not everything seen on the Pulling the plug on your computer may about something?" This Internet is either true or not be the best solution. It's a short- way, you open that valuable. term solution, with limited long-term doorway for them without • Get to know your child’s benefits. Sit down together and come sounding as if you are online friends as you would up with acceptable terms of usage. accusing, which will only their offline friends. Make sure that both you and your teen serve to close the door. • Be open with children; understand and agree to the rules. Be patient, it might take encourage them to come to Understand a new generation. Yes, Internet & technology Internet once, twice or thrice! Your you if they encounter a times have changed and will continue teen may not respond right problem. away. It may take some to do so. Our best defense is • Learn about blocking, education and understanding. Step time and coaxing to get him/her to filtering and monitoring. back for a moment and try to open up and discuss their situation or Realize these things cannot appreciate the challenges our feelings with you. Be patient and keep protect children/teens from teenagers face in today's society. Each trying, letting him/her know that you all dangers in cyberspace. generation has had its troubles. But care. Remember, just as this isn't easy • Use time controls, blocking, let's face it, today's youth are stuck in for you, it isn't easy for them either. filtering and or monitoring the middle of a confusing, Validate and accept what your software. overwhelming, conflicting, fast-paced teen says. It is essential that you take • Be sensitive to your child’s and downright frightening world. The your teen seriously. No matter what concerns about privacy, digital age in all its glory has opened they may say. Their concerns and but also realize it is a a Pandora's Box for today's youth. fears, whether warranted or not to parents responsibility to Parent’s play a vital role in giving you, are very real to them. Saying, protect their child. "Well that's just silly, why are making teenagers the tools they need to be such a big deal out of this?" will cause safe, to be smart, and to be healthy.

6 Parent Education www.commonsensemedia.org Read family-friendly reviews of media Links and entertainment. www.internetsafety.com www.guardyoureyes.org www.mymobilewatchdog.com Fellowship of religious www.getnetwise.org Products that offers Parental Controls Jews, working to deal with Be just "one click away" from the for Computers and Smart Phones and internet addiction. ‘Tools’ resources they need to make iPod Touch - Monitor your kid's IM, tab offers excellent informed decisions about their and text, email and calls and be alerted resources on technological their family's use of the Internet- by email about any unauthorized solutions and guidelines including “How to” videos. contact with your child. Check with for successful cell phone companies to see what implementation. www.projectsafechildhood.gov they offer. Initiative guided by the U.S. www.netsmartz411.org Department of Justice, Project Safe x3watch.com Online resource for Childhood. Limited version of free accountability answering questions about software.

resources Internet safety, computers, www.mcgruff.org and the Web. McGruff the Crime Dog's Child www.spectorsoft.com Safety Center. SpectorPro and eBlaster excellent www.GetGameSmart.com accountability software with reliable Microsoft's campaign to provide 24/7 support. parents with tools and resources to Product Links manage their children's gaming and www.opendns.com www.internet-filter- entertainment experiences. Free network/router/or computer review.toptenreviews.com based Internet navigation and 2010 Internet filter and monitor & www.cyberangels.org security solution. parental control software reviews and CyberAngels is one of the first online product comparisons. safety education programs online. Other Links www.webchaver.com www.missingkids.com www.netlingo.com Excellent accountability and resource www.ncmec.org Access a complete online dictionary information. www.cybertipline.com of hundreds of regularly used email CyberTip hotline & official site for chat acronyms. www.k9webprotection.com current information on Missing and Free Internet filtering and control Exploited Children, search for missing www.familywatchdog.us ! solution for the home. children, submit child "sightings". See if there are sexual offenders living in your neighborhood.

7 Technology allows the user to bully anonymously or from an unknown location, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No place, not even a bedroom, provides sanctuary from the intrusion of a threatening text message or an abusive e-mail.

Cyberbullying Cyber-bullying leaves no physical scars so it is, perhaps, less evident to a parent or The Benefits of Technology over the phone and by text message; teacher, but it is highly This information may make the with the use of digital cameras and intrusive and the hurt it causes Internet, or mobile phones, or email camera phones to intrude on the can be very severe. accounts all seem rather dangerous - privacy of individuals; with so-called Young people are particularly but technology is morally neutral and 'happy slapping' attacks - the filming adept at adapting to new technology, an area that can can be a channel for comfort as well and sharing of physical attacks on often seem a closed world to individuals by groups; the posting of as threats. The cell phone that carries adults. For example, the a threatening text message may also offensive websites; the impersonating numerous acronyms used by young people in chat rooms carry information and advice to an of individuals through hijacking email and in text messages (POS - accounts; abusive and threatening anxious parent or a worried child. Parents Over Shoulder, TUL - Whilst technology can be used to behavior in chat rooms, on discussion Tell You Later) make it difficult for adults to recognize bully, the Internet also can be a boards and through instant potential threats. sanctuary for the victims of bullying messaging. We have also seen by masking their "differences" and reports of school reunion sites being distances using "Bluetooth" wireless allowing them to be part of used to slander ex-pupils and technology) has been reported. All communities beyond their local one. teachers alike. A Scottish secondary these examples of cyber-bullying may school had to take its chat room be taking advantage of cutting edge The Problems offline due to aggressive bullying technology, but the motives of those The digital age has seen the activity (Edinburgh Evening News who are doing this and the excuses development of new ways in which to 29.3.06). Recently a phenomenon they make for their behavior are age- bully, slander and abuse. We are called "bluejacking" (the sending of old. now faced with bullying by email, anonymous text messages over short

Information on this page from the Anti-Bullying Network, Great Britain

8 • Keep and save any bullying emails, text messages or images. • Don't give out your personal details online - if you're in a chatroom,

• If you can, make a note of the time watch what you say about where and date bullying messages or you live, the school you go to, your images were sent, and note any email address etc. All these things details about the sender. can help someone who wants to harm you build up a picture about • Why not log into a chatroom with a you. different user ID or nickname? That way the bully won't know who you • Don't forward abusive texts or are. You could change your mobile emails or images to anyone. You phone number and only give it out could be breaking the law just by A Code of Conduct to close friends. forwarding them. If they are about Here are some points that could be you, keep them as evidence. If they included in the code of conduct that • Contact the service provider (mobile are about someone else, delete you discuss and agree with young phone company, your internet them and don't reply to the sender. people. Use these points to help you provider) to tell them about the start the discussion, but aim to end up bullying. They may be able to track • Don't ever give out passwords to with a small number (up to five or so) the bully down. your mobile or email account. of short statements that are suitable for the age of the users. • Use blocking software - you can • Remember that sending abusive or block instant messages from certain threatening messages is against the • If you feel you are being bullied by people or use mail filters to block law. email, text or online, do talk to emails from specific email someone you trust. addresses. FACT SHEET • Never send any bullying or • Don't reply to bullying or For an additional fact threatening messages. Anything you sheet on cyberbullying: threatening text messages or emails- write and send could be read by an this could make matters worse. It adult. also lets the bullying people know http://www.cyberbullying.us/ Cyberbullying_Identification_P that they have found a 'live' phone • Serious bullying should be reported revention_Response_Fact_She number or email address. They may et.pdf to the police - for example threats of get bored quite quickly if you ignore a physical or sexual nature. them.

Information on this page from the Anti-Bullying Network, Great Britain

9 How Are Teens Many youth experience a variety of • Block communication with emotions when they are cyberbullied. cyberbullies Cyberbullied? Youth who are cyberbullied report • Report cyberbullying to a trusted Being a victim of cyberbullying can be feeling angry, hurt, embarrassed, or adult a common and painful experience. scared. These emotions can cause victims to react in ways such as You can also help prevent Some youth who cyberbully cyberbullying by • • Seeking revenge on the bully Pretend they are other people • Speaking with other students, as • online to trick others Avoiding friends and activities well as teachers and school • Spread lies and rumors about • Cyberbullying back administrators, to develop rules victims against cyberbullying • • Trick people into revealing Some teens feel threatened because Raising awareness of the personal information they may not know who is cyberbullying problem in your • Send or forward mean text cyberbullying them. Although community by holding an messages cyberbullies may think they are assembly and creating fliers to give to younger kids or parents • Post pictures of victims without anonymous, they can be found. If you • their consent are cyberbullied or harassed and Sharing NCPC’s anti- need help, save all communication cyberbullying message with friends When teens were asked why they think others cyberbully, 81 percent said that Don’t forget that even cyberbullies think it’s funny. though you can’t see a Other teens believe that cyberbully or the bully’s youth who cyberbully victim, cyberbullying causes real problems. If you • Don’t think it’s a big deal wouldn’t say it in person, • Don’t think about the don’t say it online. Delete consequences cyberbullying. Don’t write it. Don’t forward it. • Are encouraged by friends • Think everybody What Else Can I Do To cyberbullies Stay Cyber-safe? • Think they won’t get caught Remember that the Internet is accessed by millions of people all over the world, not just your friends and family. How Do Victims While many Internet users React? are friendly, some may want to hurt you. Below are some Contrary to what cyberbullies ways to stay cyber-safe: may believe, cyberbullying is a big with the cyberbully and talk to a deal, and can cause a variety of parent, teacher, law enforcement • Never post or share your reactions in teens. Some teens have officer, or other adult you trust. personal information online (this reacted in positive ways to try to includes your full name, address, prevent cyberbullying by telephone number, school name, parents’ names, credit card • Blocking communication with the How Can I Prevent number, or Social Security cyberbully Cyberbullying? number) or your friends’ personal • Deleting messages without information. reading them Teens have figured out ways to prevent cyberbullying. Follow in the • Never share your Internet • Talking to a friend about the footsteps of other quick-thinking passwords with anyone, except bullying teens and your parents. • Reporting the problem to an • Refuse to pass along • Never meet anyone face-to-face Internet service provider or cyberbullying messages whom you only know online. website moderator • Tell friends to stop cyberbullying • Talk to your parents about what you do online.

From National Crime Prevention Council - http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying

10 Chat Danger http:// Kidsmart Stop Cyberbullying Before It Starts www.chatdanger.com http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/ (PDF) provides useful information for A website all about the Part of the Childnet stable of parents. http://www.ncpc.org/ potential dangers of websites, dealing with Internet safety resources/files/pdf/bullying/ interactive online programs for schools, young people cyberbullying.pdf services like chat, and parents. instant messaging, Cyberbullying.us provides email and mobiles. Cyberbully http://cyberbully.org cyberbullying research, stories, Contains links to useful online cases, downloads, fact sheets, tips Stop Text Bully http:// documents such as a guide to cyber- and strategies, news headlines, a www.stoptextbully.com bullying and an educator's guide. blog, and a number of other helpful Resources on this resources on their comprehensive website include a Top "Staying Safe in a Wired World: a public service website. 10 Tips poster for parent's guide to Internet safety" by young people and a Rob Nickel. A recently published www.stopcyberbullying.org has a fun school resource pack book about most of the technologies quiz to rate your online behavior, 'Putting U in the used on the Internet and instructions information about why some people Picture'. on how to keep children safe while in cyberbully, and how to stop yourself resources cyberspace. Available from Amazon. from cyberbullying.

Childnet International Yahoo's Parents' Guide to Safer www.wiredsafety.com provides http://www.childnet-int.org Surfing. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/ information about what to do if you Plenty of advice and teachers' parents_guide/ are cyberbullied. resources. Look for the 'Prank or Pain' link through their 'Know it All' www.ncpc.org provides information project link. about stopping cyberbullying before it starts. Internet Watch Foundation http://www.iwf.org.uk/ www.stopbullyingnow.com has Support website with information on information about what you can do filtering, protection, and an area to to stop bullying. report illegal content.

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