NetSmartz

Wanted: Unemployment

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:31:00 +0000

by Scott Trolan

It’s my job to stay up-to-date with Internet news. This means reading about anything from Facebook’s privacy policies to new iPhone apps. It also means reading about the mistakes that people make online—again and again. And again.

I am not entirely sad about this. These online snafus reinforce the need for Internet education programs, like NetSmartz.

But at the same time, please, STOP! Everyday I read stories about people being punished for doing things like posting vulgar status updates or creating fake and defamatory profiles. These aren’t even new mistakes…just the same ones over and over! Sure, the Internet is huge, and the chances of your bad behavior being discovered are slim. But probability isn't much comfort if you are the person that is caught!

So here’s my challenge: put me out of a job. Enough is enough already! Please stop making the same mistakes online. Or do you need to read one more story about someone losing their job because of what they did on Facebook or Twitter?

Unemployment Plan

1) Look at your profile. Is there anything inappropriate or illegal? Get rid of it!
2) Check your privacy settings. Be in of control who sees your information.
3) Review your friends list. Remember, these are the people with access to everything that you post. (Which means your crush just saw that update about your little problem with halitosis.)

Oh, yeah. And think before you post. I know. Soooo obvious. But it clearly needs to be said.

Amani Rushing, Writer/Editor

Twitter to Teens: Pick Me!

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:40:00 +0000

by Christie Andrews

Last week I discussed the ongoing battle for teen users between social networking giants MySpace and Facebook. But there is a new player on the social media scene, vying for the oh-so-finicky attention of the youth market. Enter Twitter, trying to win the hearts and minds of teens 140 characters at a time.

Twitter was hyped as the next big thing, but has not caught on with teens as massively as Facebook or MySpace. A recent report shows that only 19% of Twitter users are teens, and they seem to be more interested in following persons and brands of interest than making updates. If that is so, Twitter may have recently received a set back to attracting a bigger teen audience.

Teen Queen Miley Cyrus deleted her Twitter account; she even rapped about it (video below). Does this mean that her teen followers will abandon Twitter, too? Not so fast. Enter the Great and Powerful Twilight Movie Franchise. Since creating its Twitter page this teen-driven franchise has gained close to 140,000 followers.

Take cover Twitter; a herd of teens may be stamp-tweeting in your direction.

MySpace v. Facebook

noreply@blogger.com (Candace Bahk) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:44:00 +0000

by Scott Trolan

Over the past several years researchers and marketers have been tracking what websites teens use. First MySpace reigned supreme, but then Facebook emerged as the “mature” alternative. Users flocked to Facebook in droves, saying that MySpace was “trashy” and dangerous.

Since then there has been much chatter about why, how many, and which teens abandoned MySpace. Research suggests that there is a social and economic divide between MySpace and Facebook users—those on Facebook are more likely to be white, educated, and privileged. And although Facebook is the most popular social networking site right now, it’s getting older. Adults have discovered it and that makes it no longer cool. Will teens move on to something else?

Michelle Menillo, Educational Writer

A Happy (And Safer) Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:07:00 +0000

By Chris Bevington

Halloween is just two days away! While you've been making all of your last minute preparations—candy, costumes, and carving pumpkins—NetSmartz Workshop has been preparing to help you keep your child safer. Check out this list of Halloween safety tips and get ready for a safer night of fun.

NetSmartz Workshop

Teens Talk Back: Facebook Relationship Statuses

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Teen dating has gone digital. NetSmartz Intern Kasha Scott shares her take on the trend.

by Chris Bevington

Everyone who has a Facebook page knows how important your “Relationship Status” is. Changing statuses account for 90% of the drama associated with Facebook. When people are asked about their relationship, the first question that many people are asked is whether or not they are “Facebook official.” The first way I find out about whether or not my friends are dating is often through Facebook. On the flip side, the first time I hear of a break-up will be by reading it on Facebook. A few of my friends have ended relationships by simply setting their status to “single” without telling their boyfriend or girlfriend.

While this trend tends to make the break-up more difficult than it should be, it definitely sends a message to the other person. Relationship statuses are a trend that is making teen dating more complicated than it already is. When do you change your relationship to say “In a relationship”? Is there a “relationship status talk” that couples need to have? Should there be specific rules about when to change your relationship status?

Not only are serious relationship status causing drama, but people are also marrying, engaged, and in open relationships with their best friends. For example, on Facebook under the relationship status, it will say “Sally is married to her best friend Nancy.” I believe that this also adds an interesting twist on the whole relationship status situation with Facebook. These relationships are simply among friends which is the reason I don’t really understand why the changes are being made. Is it for attention? Is it to mock the serious relationship status? Who knows, maybe this is a Facebook trend that will soon die out along with the quizzing craziness.

Kasha Scott, Intern

Can You Go to Jail for Cyberbullying?

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:21:00 +0000

After retiring from Arizona’s superior court in 2008, former judge Tom Jacobs began a site called askthejudge.info to help teens understand legal issues. Below, he applies his expertise to the issue of cyberbullying and its possible legal consequences.

by Chris Bevington

Gone are the days when bullying at school meant a shove in the hall or insult yelled across the classroom. Bullying has gone digital with devastating consequences in some cases, including suicide. The time has come for the nation to take a stand against cyberbullying. Education, awareness, and legislation are needed to combat this growing phenomenon affecting teens and their families.

School districts are dealing with bullying incidents through codes of conduct and direct action, including suspension and expulsion. They may also refer the incident to the police for possible criminal prosecution. The act of cyberbullying (bullying through the Internet) may be a crime, even if there is no specific cyberbullying law. It is already illegal in your state to threaten someone with injury and to harass or stalk another person. If a cell phone or the Internet is involved with any of these acts, then the victim has been cyberbullied.

If you're under 18 and charged with a cyberbullying offense, you could be taken to juvenile detention. The court decides whether to release you pending trial and under what terms you'll be released. For example, you may be restricted from using the Internet until the case is concluded or placed on house arrest. Most likely you'll be restricted from any contact with the victim.

If you're found guilty of the offense, the court can place you on probation with specific terms including community service hours, counseling, and a period of time in jail or detention. You could also be eligible for a diversion program, which if completed, may let you avoid a permanent record.

It's important to understand that even if you plead not guilty to the charge and are ultimately determined to be innocent, you could still be locked up for a period of time. Even a brief period in jail or detention may affect future ambitions including job applications, college admission and scholarship opportunities, or military enlistment. Consider the following cyberbullying cases where teens and young adults spent time incarcerated.

In August of 2009, 18-year-old Keeley Houghton was sentenced for the online harassment of another teenager in England. Keeley was ordered to spend three months at a juvenile facility and have no contact with the victim for five years.

Hillary Transue was 15 when she criticized her principal online and was found guilty of harassment in 2007. She was sent to a juvenile wilderness program for three months.

In Utah, 16-year-old Ian Lake was arrested for creating a website at home that poked fun at his principal and two teachers. He spent seven days in detention, but eventually won his case after three years in court.

Bottom Line: Think twice before you send or post – unintended consequences may be life-changing.

Is jail time too harsh a punishment for cyberbullies? Share what you think!

Clicky Hangs with the Washington Capitals!

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:07:00 +0000

Check out Clicky at the Washington Capitals 2009 Convention. It was just him and 5,000 hockey fans, talking about hat tricks and learning how to UYN!

The Washington Capitals 2009 Convention took place at the National Harbor's Gaylord Convention Center in Washington, DC on September 26, 2009.

Cell Phones – Leave ’em at the Door

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

NetSmartz Workshop welcomes guest blogger Andy Mann, an Educational Technology Consultant for the Calhoun Intermediate School District in Marshall, Michigan. He works with schools across Michigan on Internet safety and cyberbullying education.

I can’t believe this happened to me. The party at my house started small, with just a group of my high school friends. It got a little out of hand when my best friend’s older brother stopped by with his college roommates. I was glad my parents weren’t home. I won’t go into details, but we got crazy. A few of my friends started taking photos with their cell phones. We thought nothing of it—we were just being goofy.

I learned about the photos the next day when my friends said they had seen them on a friend’s social networking page. I was so embarrassed. What were my friends thinking, putting them online! I immediately contacted my friends and the photos were removed, but the damage was done. A classmate copied the photos and sent them to my coach and the principal before they were deleted. I’m an athlete and had a good chance for an athletic scholarship, but because of the photos I’ve been suspended from the team for the rest of the season. Those stupid photos probably cost me my scholarship.

This is a tale which is being told by students around the country. Photos taken with cell phone cameras are uploaded to the Internet and cause problems. These photos may show underage drinking or illegal drug use. They may show nude or semi-nude images of minors (the taking and sharing of nude or sexual images is known as “sexting”). Michigan State Police Detective Sergeant Jay Poupard, a member of the Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, shared the potential serious consequence of teens taking sexual photos of themselves: “A 17-year-old boy posting a photo of a topless, underage girl can be convicted of a felony. If convicted, he will not only receive jail time, but will be a registered sex offender.” A photo taken and uploaded without much thought can change a teen’s life forever.

As of yet, no minor caught sexting has been registered as a sex offender, but until our laws catch up with our technology it will remain a risk. We must help young people understand the responsibilities which come with having a cell phone with a camera. If you’re a parent or guardian, watch the Talking about Sexting video clip from Common Sense Media and review the concise sexting Q& A fact sheet created by NetSmartz. And when friends come over for a party, collect their cell phones at the door!

Andy Mann, Educational Technology Consultant

Calhoun Intermediate School District

Marshall, Michigan

Just Call Me Switzerland

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:21:00 +0000

NetSmartz is frequently asked by parents, guardians, and teachers to recommend “safe” sites for kids: Should I let my kids have a MySpace®? Is Club Penguin® dangerous? Is there a video site other than YouTube® I can use in class? These are valid questions, but they’re also somewhat unanswerable. NetSmartz does not endorse any particular website or Internet service. Think of us as Switzerland – we remain neutral because we cannot guarantee that any site is “safe.”

Take YouTube for example. The site does not approve videos before they’re posted (although they will remove them for copyright infringement or offensive content) and users leave comments that are anywhere from courteous to rude to downright vulgar. So does this mean you should keep kids away from all sites where they may encounter something inappropriate?

Not really.

YouTube also has an amazing collection of fun and educational videos. I personally enjoy watching episodes of my favorite shows from childhood like Jem and the Holograms and Zoobilee Zoo. The trick is to teach children safer search techniques, what to do when they see something inappropriate, and how to respond to criticism or hurtful comments.

Think about it – you don’t keep your kids in a bubble 24/7 for fear they might encounter germs. Instead, you teach kids the importance of washing their hands, covering their mouths when they cough, and using those oh-so-handy mini-bottles of hand sanitizer. (Note: I did not name a brand. Still Switzerland.)

The same idea applies to the Internet. Don’t lock your kids in a bubble. Arm them with a solid set of rules so they know what to do when they encounter something you consider objectionable. The Internet is full of inappropriate content, so kids are bound to see it at some point. But it’s also full of wonderful things like…aha! You thought I was gonna name them didn’t you?

Switzerland!

Michelle Menillo, Educational Writer

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:00:00 +0000

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and NetSmartz Workshop have made it a priority to keep children safer in every community.

Since When Did Bad Behavior Become The Norm?

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:00:00 +0000

What do MTV’s Video Music Awards have to do with personal safety? NCMEC’ s National Safety Director, Nancy A. McBride, weighs in on bad behavior, bullying, and bystanders.

I turned on MTV’s VMA show the other night (yes, I still like to watch MTV once in a while) to see the Michael Jackson tribute. After it was over, the first award was Best Female Video 2009. I liked many of the nominees in the category, and when Taylor Swift won, I thought: What an amazing award for such a young woman.

And then Kanye West took it all away from her. He commandeered her acceptance speech and stole her moment, leaving her shell-shocked and speechless. It was such an outright example of bad behavior and bullying that it made me furious. Why would he think he could get away with picking on her like that? And who was he doing it for -- Beyoncè? Beyoncè looked absolutely mortified!

She wasn’t the only one. Celebrities and fans have taken to the Internet to express their outrage at Kayne’s behavior through blogs, tweets, and visual parodies of the incident. Even though he has apologized (3 times and counting), online communities continue to voice their disapproval. All of these passionate reactions have made me think. People may not always agree on what is appropriate behavior, but we can usually spot a bully when we see one. If you see someone behaving badly or bullying someone, you don’t have to be a bystander. You can choose to act classy like Beyoncè, who gave up her moment in the spotlight for Taylor.

You always have a choice about how you act toward others. Are you going to be the bully, or are you going to rise above it? Because if you don’t, saying you’re sorry may just not be enough.

Nancy A. McBride, National Safety Director

NCMEC

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:37:00 +0000

Sécurité. Безопасный. Salama. 안전책. Seguridad. Safety.

Parents all over the world are concerned about keeping their children safer, both on- and offline. In recognition of this, both NetSmartz Workshop and the Take 25 Campaign offer their family safety resources in Spanish. While you are celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) make sure to check out these Spanish language materials and pass them on to anyone who may be able to use them, because helping children stay safer sounds good in every language!

Get an “A” in Back-to-School Safety

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:24:00 +0000

When a new school year starts, it may seem as if everything is changing: new classes, new teachers, and new challenges to overcome. But one thing hasn’t changed: you still want to keep your children safer as they head back to school. Get an “A” in safety with this back-to-school kit from NetSmartz Workshop and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The kit will help you get children involved in a conversation about back-to-school safety with animated videos, lessons plans, and hands-on activities. Then, check out these back-to-school safety tips and start your year off safer.

Teens Talk Back: Laptops in the Classroom

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:28:00 +0000

Are laptops in the classroom really a good idea? NetSmartz Intern Katherine Scott gives her opinion.

Many administrators believe that laptops in the classroom would be a huge benefit for students and teachers. They would allow for better note taking and access to information, and help schools become “green” by leading to a paperless system where students would submit assignments to teachers over the Internet. An article by the New York Times describes a high school in Arizona that has gone completely “textbookless,” and now students are utilizing computers for all their textbook needs. There are also a variety of online classes being offered at high schools, ranging from Biology to personal fitness. Yes, you read it right: online gym.

At my high school, I was part of a test program that allowed a few students to borrow a laptop from the school or bring their own. At the beginning of the trial period, I was elated to have this opportunity. I am a complete computer nerd, and I do all my work on my laptop. I can hardly read my own handwriting, so I was stoked that I would be able to type all my notes. My laptop was very helpful for typing notes, looking up information that the teacher was talking about, and checking assignments on Blackboard.com, a website where teachers can upload student assignments. However, my computer was also very distracting. If a teacher’s lecture wasn’t holding my attention, then I had the wealth of information from the Internet at my fingertips. I checked my favorite celebrity’s (Taylor Swift!) Twitter page, went shopping for a prom dress, and ordered my lunch online from Chipotle—all during class!

Now, I know that proponents of laptops in classrooms might say that I’m a unique case and believe that most high school students would be able to handle the responsibilities of using a laptop. Proponents, I have bad news for you. High school students don’t have the maturity to appropriately use the laptops in the classroom. There are all ready too many distractions in the classroom; kids are texting and playing games on iPhones and iTouches. I don’t think there is an urgent need for laptops in the classroom at this time. Many high schools have computer labs that classroom and individual students can use during the day. I think that college is the right place to have a laptop, but high school is a little too early.

Kasha Scott, Intern

Online and Off the Deep End

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:30:00 +0000

Is this what they mean by a "poke"? How does it get online?

EMO/EDO – (n) Embarrassing Mom/Embarrassing Dad Online

A mom or dad who is relatively new to the Internet and refers to it as “the Internets” or “the Google.”
A mom or dad who “friends” their teen on Facebook and proceeds to “poke” their teen’s friends and/or publish the results of quizzes such as “What is your stripper name?”
A mom or dad who tweets and/or blogs about their child’s every waking moment, especially explicit descriptions of their baby’s diaper contents, usually including pictures.

Ex. 1 - Dad, I can’t believe you sent my boyfriend a friend request! You are such an EDO!

Ex. 2 - Judy, I’m not sure you should have posted that picture of Billy’s first bath. Doesn’t that make you an EMO?

If you have an EMO or EDO at home
Kids, if your mom or dad is embarrassing you online, I offer my deepest sympathies. We all know that part of having your own profile is about looking cool – that’s why we spend so much time posting pictures, joining groups, and downloading apps. If your mom or dad has crashed the party, please have mercy on them. They’re probably just trying to spend some time with you. Hint: If you spend some time with them in person, they’re less likely to go overboard online.

If you are an EMO or EDO
Parents and guardians, if you’re embarrassing your kids online…STOP! Yes, I know Facebook and Twitter make it easy to share every detail of your lives. Yes, I know that when you tweeted about spying on Johnny as he got his first kiss you were just sharing a heartfelt moment with your friends. Hint: What you call fun, your kids might call TMI. Try to restrain yourself and ask, “Will Johnny find this amusing as well?” If not, a phone call to your best friend might be more appropriate than a message to 297 Twitter followers.

Michelle Menillo, Educational Writer

Clicky meets the Washington Redskins

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:47:00 +0000

Hello, fellow NetSmartz blog readers!

It’s me, Clicky, and I have a nice little story to share with you.

Last week, I was out at the Washington Redskins training camp having fun with the kids and spreading the word about being safer online. Later on that day, Redskins' tight end Chris Cooley told a reporter he saw Gumby. What?!?

I had to set Chris straight, so I wrote this rap. You can check it out here, or on http://www.redskins.com/, or www.youtube.com/netsmartz.

And don't forget to UYN: Use Your NetSmartz,

Clicky

Teens Talk Back: What is Twitter?

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Intern Kasha Scott returns to offer a teen’s perspective.

From celebrities like Taylor Swift and John Mayer to politicians like President Obama and John McCain, everyone is starting to get into a new online phenomenon called Twitter. Twitter is a social networking site where you answer the question “What are you doing?” in 140 characters or less; the posted response is called a “tweet.”

The unique part about Twitter is that you can text in your updates to the website, and the website can send other people’s updates to your phone. So, in a matter of seconds you can know what all the people you are “following” are up to without needing Internet access or a computer. Twitter can offer you an up close look at people’s lives; perhaps too close some would say, and I would have to agree. As interesting as it may be to your mom that you are having mom’s meatloaf leftovers for dinner tonight, I personally don’t want to know that much information. Also, keep in mind that others can log onto your Twitter page and see what you’re tweeting. So the tweet about your vacation in the Bahamas that lasts until Thursday could be an invitation for intruders and thieves.

While Twitter can be a very useful form of communication with friends, always be mindful of the things you tweet. And please, keep your meal options to yourself!

Katherine Scott, Intern

Post-College Facebook Follies

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:00:00 +0000

It’s easy to believe that the people who post inappropriate content to their social networking profiles, like Facebook and MySpace, are idiots. After all, if they were really smart, then they wouldn’t have posted it to begin with, right?

Wrong.

To support my case, I enter exhibit A: my friend Sam. Looking at his profile page, you may see image after possibly future-damaging image. My favorites:

1. Sam, shirtless and grinning at the camera. Hoisting a beer.
2. Sam at a party, dressed in a shiny tube top and mini-skirt. Hoisting a beer.
3. Sam with a girl on either arm. All of them hoisting – you get the idea.

It seems as if only an idiot would post these things in a place where possibly anyone—including admissions officers and employers—could see them. And yet, Sam is actually a bright, young man. He talks about getting a PhD in microbiology, so that he can do things like rid the world of antibiotic-resistant bacteria or find a cure for cancer. But no matter how smart Sam sounds, those pictures on his profile say something about him too. The phrase “A picture’s worth a thousand words” might be a cliché, but in this day in age it is not one that anyone can afford to dismiss.

Amani Rushing, Writer/Editor

Teens Talk Back: Keeping it Private

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:47:00 +0000

Danielle Bechtel, Miss Teen Pennsylvania International™, spoke about the importance of Internet Safety during the recent 2009 Miss Teen International™ pagent competition.

NetSmartz Workshop would like to extend its congratulations and well wishes to this extraordinary young woman.

I’m not quite sure how to even start this blog. This isn’t something I feel real comfortable talking about; it is quite a private subject to be so public about. What I write here and post will get passed to…well who knows? Once it’s online, I have no control over what happens to it. Literally, people from around the world will be able to read what I wrote.

But that lack of control is what sexting is all about, isn’t it? Once you hit send, you have no control over what happens to your very private picture after that. The Internet is full of stories of teens who sent private pictures only to have them become very public. Unfortunately this can lead to depression, ruined reputations, suspensions, arrests, and even child pornography charges.

Think about it this way. How many times have you shared a “secret,” starting with the words, “Don’t tell anyone this…” or “Just between you or I…”? You may have done this without harmful intent, but let’s face it, we are all probably guilty of doing it sometime. Now, think about this as it relates to sexting. You get a picture, and it is so racy and exciting, that you just have to pass it on—even though the caption read, “Don’t show this to anyone.” The person that you send it to also has to pass it on to just one more person, and so on and so on. I have seen it happen first hand.

Parents, guardians, teachers, Internet safety experts and your peers can tell you not to sext, but it really has to start with you respecting yourself. Why don’t you take a minute to learn about the hazards of sexting and take back that privacy that we teens are notorious for wanting.

Teen Falls through Manhole While Texting…ROFL

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:27:00 +0000

I promise I didn’t make this up!

A Staten Island teen learned the hard way that it’s quite important to (literally) watch where you’re going. She was so engrossed with texting that she fell through an open manhole. Staff from the Department of Environmental Protection was doing some work and had turned away to grab orange cones to place around the manhole. Other than a few scrapes and a healthy dose of embarrassment, she’s fine. Her parents, however, are considering a lawsuit.

On behalf of NetSmartz and all sane adults out there, I would like to make an impassioned plea to everyone (not just teens!) who are constantly texting --- have you no common sense!?! Okay, so that was more of an angry question than an impassioned plea, but you get the idea. While kids are learning to “Stop, Drop, and Roll” in school, perhaps they can also be taught learn to “Stop, Text, Carry On”? Personally I think this story makes for an excellent marketing strategy: “Would you like to be covered by dirt, grime, and oh-dear-me-what-is-that-liquid? Didn’t think so. Stop…Text…Carry on.”

Michelle Menillo, Educational Writer

Teens Talk Back: Keeping Summer Safer

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:51:00 +0000

Internet safety is international! Teen Intern Ellen Nadeau shares her thoughts about helping to keep kids safer online all the way from China.

Ellen sends her greetings.

Summer is a time for fun, friends, and relaxation. Kids visit each others’ homes to play games, watch TV, and just have a good time. But before you let your child play at someone else’s home, remember to investigate their house rules, including how they use the Internet. Even if the parents or guardians of your child’s friends are perfectly nice, upstanding people, that doesn’t mean that they share your views about what’s appropriate.

As a teen myself, I know how easy it is to do something at someone’s house that I normally wouldn’t do at my own. However, when parents and guardians work together to assure that their rules are consistent from home to home, and agree to enforce those rules, it reminds me to treat time with my friends just as I would at home.

So, as you’re watching your kids plan play dates and slumber parties, talk to their friends’ parents or guardians about Internet safety, just as you do about R-rated movies and alcohol in their homes, and decide on one set of rules. Also, inform your kids that you expect them to follow your Internet safety rules wherever they are. Not only will this help your kids have a safer summer, it will help you relax, knowing that your kids are using the Internet safely.

Ellen Nadeau, Intern

Teens Talk Back: College and Social Networking Sites

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:02:00 +0000

NetSmartz welcomes the opinions and comments of intern Jovan Petty, a rising senior at George Mason University.

Hmm. You seemed smarter on Facebook.

Unlike most teens, I never wanted a Facebook account or even a MySpace page. I didn’t feel as if I needed a social networking website to help me keep in contact with people. I mean, I had all of my friend’s phone numbers…so I could just call them, right? I didn’t change this way of thinking until my freshmen year of college. My roommate kept stressing the fact that I needed to make a Facebook account. She told me how she had been meeting people over the summer through the Facebook group for our college class of 2011. I still didn’t think I needed one, but she said it would be easier to meet people on campus. After a week of peer pressure, I succumbed to the idea and made a page. Now, I must admit a day does not go by that I don’t log in to check new photo albums, status updates, friend requests, blog posts, and event invites.

When I receive friend requests online, there are several factors I check before accepting or rejecting the request. I see how many friends I have in common with this person and then I browse their page. Depending on their posted items, like their interests, pictures, and videos, I can begin to ascertain what kind of person they are and their personality. When I first recognize someone in person that I originally befriended online, it’s always funny, because I feel like I know them. I have had classes with people I am friends with online. This is helpful when you miss a class or need a study partner. Romantic relationships are something else that has been hugely impacted by social networking. It may sound cliché, but “If your relationship status isn’t posted online…it isn’t official.” This saying has caused many of my guy and girl friends strife.

Whether in high school or college, people seem to take all blog posts literally. When people post pictures or videos that they think are funny, they don’t always think about how the people in the pictures or videos feel. Many times I have seen the effects of something posted online create drama between friends. It’s a shame, because social networking websites were created to bring people together, not pull friends apart. Even though it’s fun to post pictures of the events or parties you may attend, it is also important to use discretion.

Jovan Petty, Intern

NetSmartz Under the Moon!

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:06:00 +0000

Cox Communications invited families from all around the DC metropolitan area to Fairfax, VA for this year's Movies Under the Moon. The event is organized to benefit Inova Health System and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. At sunset from June 24-28, family-friendly movies including, Kung Fu Panda, Twilight (a NetSmartz staff favorite!), and Mama Mia were played on a 40 foot by 20 foot outdoor screen for hundreds to view.

This year Cox welcomed back NetSmartz Workshop and our animated videos as previews to the main attractions. Last year we were able to screen NetSmartzKids animationy 2 Go!,Beat the Tricks!, and NSTeens video Post-to-be-Private for the first time before a major audience. Our newest animation, NSTeens video Attitude Overdrive, was scheduled as the lead into the hit movie, Twilight. Not only were audiences able to preview a new video, Clicky also made an appearance to greet his fans, sign autographs, and take pictures.

Thanks to Cox Communications, NetSmartz had the opportunity to share its creative resources and Internet safety message with a large, excited audience. We relish these opportunities and look for more to come.

NetSmartz Workshop

Teens Talk Back: Ew! Why’d You Post That?

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:43:00 +0000

NetSmartz welcomes back teen intern Kelly Scott!

As an intern at NetSmartz, a program if the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children I’ve learned about the serious consequences that teens can face for crazy online behavior. I’ve also heard numerous stories about the risks on the Internet, so it amazes me how much information teenagers will put online. Don’t get me wrong; I definitely spend time on Facebook, using it to keep in touch with my friends and to see what has been happening in their lives. But I don’t need to know everything about them!

I believe the kids that share their entire lives on their social networking pages are naive about the extensive reach of the Internet. When I’m on Facebook and see some of the pictures my friends post on their pages, I cringe. Girls I know post very scandalous and risqué photos on their profile, just for attention. And it’s not just a few photos. In my school network, albums like these span over 100 pictures each showing groups of kids on their trips to Mexico or at a party.

Posting pictures of yourself drinking or using drugs could not only be extremely embarrassing, but also so dumb. I have seen my friends post pictures of themselves stealing street signs, sharing not only the evidence of their crimes but their whereabouts. Sometimes stupid postings can lead to judgments about people too. For example, my friend Ana* scoped out her future college roommate on Facebook. From the roommate’s profile Ana could tell that the girl was wild and Ana worried that she’d never get any studying done. Within the next week, she’d sent in a request for a new roommate.

It saddens me that teens feel the need to display their entire lives on the Internet. While a fictitious world can be a source of entertainment, I hope my peers will begin to understand that it’s not necessary to tell it all on their profile pages. I have heard stories about lost scholarships and even revoked admittances into college based on what people have seen on profiles. I am very careful about what I post on Facebook because I don’t want to be one of those stories. I realize that the Internet is an outlet for some to escape the real world and slip into an imaginary world where they can have random conversations with faceless people. But, sometimes those faceless people can come back to haunt you…so we teens should really watch out for each other!

Help your friends learn to keep the intimate details of their lives private. The next time they post something they shouldn’t, don’t be afraid to say, “Ew! Why’d you post that?”

Kelly Scott, Intern

Protecting Your Online Identity

noreply@blogger.com (arushing) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Sergeant Nicholas Alexander of the Superior Police Department offers his views and advice on keeping your children safer on social networking sites.

I have been involved in Cyber Crime Investigations for over six years. One area where I have seen a great increase in criminal activity is on social networking websites. These sites are very popular. They allow people from all over the world to post personal information, images, and share common interests. These sites also allow a person to be whoever they want.

There is no guarantee that a social networking profile page represents that actual person, unless you personally know him or her. It is easy for a predator to create a profile on a social networking site and pretend to be a child. They may then use their assumed identity to befriend real children and lure them into inappropriate relationships.

Most social networking sites provide various levels of privacy settings; however, children do not always use them. Often they do not consider the ramifications of the information they post on these sites and falsely believe that the information they share is private. When privacy settings are not employed, anyone in the world may take and use their photos, videos, and any personal information provided.

Once a photo has been taken it can be used for anything; someone could create false social networking profiles using those photos. Copied images and information may also be used for cyberbullying and harassment. There are websites where people can post these images and write offensive and slanderous comments. I have investigated cases like this, including a website where photos of teenage girls were posted and then people would comment on how many sexual partners the girl had.

Parents and guardians need to consider that their child’s online identity may be investigated as part of background checks for future employment as well as for college admissions and scholarships. A teenager whose profile has inappropriate images or comments may be declined jobs, the college of their choice, or a scholarship. Parents and guardians should put themselves in the position to monitor inappropriate content by joining their child’s social network. Your children may not like it now, but they will definitely thank you later.

Check out, Caught in the Web, a presentation by Sgt. Alexander:

PART ONE PART TWO

Sgt. Nicholas Alexander

Patrol Sergeant/Computer Forensics
FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force
Superior Police Department