The Joys and Pitfalls of Social Networking Chelmsford Public Library November 30, 2006

Social Networking The use of a website to connect with people who share personal or professional interests, place of origin, education at a particular school, etc. The use of a website to connect with people who share personal or professional interests, place of origin, education at a particular school, etc. "social networking." Webster's New Millennium™ Dictionary of English, Preview Edition (v 0.9.6). Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. 28 Nov "social networking." Webster's New Millennium™ Dictionary of English, Preview Edition (v 0.9.6). Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. 28 Nov networkinghttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/social networking Online communities Online communities

Today… Flickr Flickr YouTube YouTube Instant Messaging Instant Messaging Blog Blog MySpace MySpace

Are you a user? 87% of U.S. teens aged use the internet, up from 73% in % of U.S. teens aged use the internet, up from 73% in % of adults use the internet, up from 56% in % of adults use the internet, up from 56% in Lenhart, Amanda; Madden, Mary and Hitlin, Paul. Teens and Technology: Youth are leading the transition to a fully wired and mobile nation, Pew Internet & American Life project, July 27, 2005, http// accessed on November 28, Lenhart, Amanda; Madden, Mary and Hitlin, Paul. Teens and Technology: Youth are leading the transition to a fully wired and mobile nation, Pew Internet & American Life project, July 27, 2005, http// accessed on November 28, 2006.

What are teens doing online? 81% are playing online games 81% are playing online games 76% get news 76% get news 43% are shopping 43% are shopping 31% get health information 31% get health information Lenhart, Amanda; Madden, Mary and Hitlin, Paul. Teens and Technology: Youth are leading the transition to a fully wired and mobile nation, Pew Internet & American Life project, July 27, 2005, http// on November 28, Lenhart, Amanda; Madden, Mary and Hitlin, Paul. Teens and Technology: Youth are leading the transition to a fully wired and mobile nation, Pew Internet & American Life project, July 27, 2005, http// on November 28, 2006.

“Their Space” Socialize Socialize friends, classmates, world friends, classmates, world Create Create writing, decorating writing, decorating Connect Connect similar interest communities

So…it’s not going away!!!

Teen Internet Safety Tips Be as anonymous as possible Be as anonymous as possible Protect your info Protect your info Avoid in-person meetings Avoid in-person meetings Photos: Think before posting! Photos: Think before posting! Be honest about your age Be honest about your age Check comments regularly Check comments regularly Be aware of grooming Be aware of grooming

How Predators Groom Their Victims "Let's go private." (leave the public chatroom and create a private chat or move to instant-messaging or phone texting) "Let's go private." (leave the public chatroom and create a private chat or move to instant-messaging or phone texting) "Where's your computer in the house?" (to see if parents might be around) "Where's your computer in the house?" (to see if parents might be around) "Who's your favorite band? designer? film? gear?" (questions like these tell the groomer more about you so they know what gifts to offer - e.g., concert tickets; Webcam, software, clothes, CDs) "Who's your favorite band? designer? film? gear?" (questions like these tell the groomer more about you so they know what gifts to offer - e.g., concert tickets; Webcam, software, clothes, CDs) "I know someone who can get you a modeling job." (flattery, they figure, will get them everywhere) "I know someone who can get you a modeling job." (flattery, they figure, will get them everywhere) "I know a way you can earn money fast." (one of the tactics that snagged Justin Berry, 13, into what became his Webcam prostitution business, reported by the New York Times) "I know a way you can earn money fast." (one of the tactics that snagged Justin Berry, 13, into what became his Webcam prostitution business, reported by the New York Times)New York TimesNew York Times Magid, Larry and Anne Collier. MySpace Unraveled: A Parent’s Guide to Teen Social Networking. Berkeley:Peachpit Press, 2007.

How Predators Groom Their Victims "You seem sad. Tell me what's bothering you." (the sympathy schtick) "You seem sad. Tell me what's bothering you." (the sympathy schtick) "What's your phone number?" (asking for personal info of any kind - usually happens at a later stage, after the target's feeling comfortable with the groomer - but all online kids know not to give out personal info online, right?!) "What's your phone number?" (asking for personal info of any kind - usually happens at a later stage, after the target's feeling comfortable with the groomer - but all online kids know not to give out personal info online, right?!) "If you don't... [do what I ask], I'll... [tell your parents OR share your photos in a photo blog / Webcam directory / file-sharing network]" (intimidation - used as the groomer learns more and more about the target) "If you don't... [do what I ask], I'll... [tell your parents OR share your photos in a photo blog / Webcam directory / file-sharing network]" (intimidation - used as the groomer learns more and more about the target) "You are the love of my life." (what "Amy," 15, fell for before traveling out of state to meet someone who'd groomed her - see "Amy's Story" at Netsmartz.org) "You are the love of my life." (what "Amy," 15, fell for before traveling out of state to meet someone who'd groomed her - see "Amy's Story" at Netsmartz.org)"Amy's Story""Amy's Story" Magid, Larry and Anne Collier. MySpace Unraveled: A Parent’s Guide to Teen Social Networking. Berkeley:Peachpit Press, 2007.

Parent Social Networking Tips Be reasonable and try to set reasonable expectations Be reasonable and try to set reasonable expectations Be open with your teens Be open with your teens Talk with your kids about Talk with your kids about how they use the services how they use the services Consider requiring that all online activity take place in a central area of the home Consider requiring that all online activity take place in a central area of the home Try to get your kids to share their blogs or online profiles with you Try to get your kids to share their blogs or online profiles with you

Filtering Software CYBERsitter CYBERsitter Net Nanny Net Nanny CyberPatrol CyberPatrol Norton Parental Controls Norton Parental Controls

Helpful Sites BlogSafety.com BlogSafety.com Social networking site about social networking Social networking site about social networking Safeteens.com Safeteens.com Safekids.com Safekids.com NetSmartz.org NetSmartz.org Cybertipline.org Cybertipline.org

Blogging Sites for Kids! Imbee.com Imbee.com The first social networking and blogging destination for kids, parents, and families. The first social networking and blogging destination for kids, parents, and families. Neopets.com Neopets.com Create virtual pets, interactive Create virtual pets, interactive Tweenland.com Tweenland.com Virtual community for the younger crowd. Virtual community for the younger crowd.

EXPLORE!!!