Youth and the Internet Info for Parents

Internet: Strengths and Weaknesses Internet is the free exchange of ideas Little to no regulation on information highway The unregulated exchange of ideas is a powerful resource and a potential source of harm at the same time Must learn to use it appropriately

Filtering Software Strengthen the filter between your child’s ears Internet is constantly changing. Any internet related information is out of date in six months. Kids know more about technology than us but we know more about rules of life

Recommendations Keep computers in open areas in home and/or limit access to screens Stress to children that you will monitor their on- line use Know young children’s usernames and passwords Decide on rules for cell phones, amount of allowed screen time, posting of pics, on-line games, chat rooms, GPS mapping, on-line shopping, etc

On-Line Safety Tips Do not share passwords Do not post content you would not want in the newspaper Do not friend people you do not know or agree to meet strangers

Needed Conversations Not everything you see on-line is true Discuss anonymity of the internet Boundaries exist on-line, just as they do in real life (netiquette) Talk about friendship What to do if something on-line doesn’t feel right

What is Bullying? Bullying is a conscious, willful, deliberate, hostile and repeated behaviour by one or more people, which is intended to harm others. Bullying is the assertion of power through aggression. Source:

Bullying vs. Conflict Conflict is a normal part of everyday interactions Bullying is repetitive and is intended to cause harm Source: Department of Education NB Harassment becomes an issue if someone has been told the behavior is unwanted and the behavior continues

Roles Offender Target Joiners By-standers

By-Standers Peers are present 85% of the time when bullying occurs. (even on-line) Bullying will stop within 10 seconds most of the time when someone else steps in to be a friend to the victim. Source:

Forms of Bullying Verbal Physical Social Cyber

Cyberbullying 24 hours a day. No escape Constant reminders Can be anonymous Can be spread to a wide audience and can be spread instantly Can be permanent Not always visible to adults

What to do if Cyberbullied STOP! – Stop replying to the messages immediately BLOCK – most social media, systems, or cell phone text messaging, allows the blocking of messages TELL – if the messages are upsetting, talk to someone, a friend, a parent, a teacher, etc. Save, print, screen shot evidence of bullying Report to ISP, social media site, etc

Legal Issues Some forms of cyberbullying are illegal  Uttering threats  Criminal Harassment  Unauthorized Use of a Computer  Counseling Suicide

Sexting Often used to blackmail when relationship ends Can never be sure that images are removed everywhere off the internet Child pornography (under 18 years of age) is illegal

References McAfee Canadian Centre for Child Protection (cybertip.ca) RCMP Bullying.org

Closing Pause Before You Post Source: