Surfing the Information highway safely Presented by Peter Bilodeau, Educational Consultant (RECIT)

The Internet – Neither angelic nor demonic In the future, history may say that the Internet was the most important invention of the 20 th Century. The Internet allows everyone to share information world-wide. The Internet, by its nature, brings people together. On the other hand…

The Internet – Neither angelic nor demonic The Internet has allowed … easier communication between criminal organizations; the birth of new forms of terrorism; the explosive growth of child endangerment;

The Internet – Neither angelic nor demonic The Internet is as dangerous as and no more dangerous than… electricity nuclear power gasoline bicycling All of the above products have helped mankind but, improperly used, can injury or even kill an person.

Sources of Possible Danger Chat Rooms Cyber-Bullying

Chat Rooms Chat rooms are Internet coffee shops – places where people can meet. Generally, they are separated into groups of like-minded people. They are no more or less dangerous than brick & mortar coffee shops – in an unfamiliar part of town.

Chat Room Notes My Space has 77,000,000 members; MSN nearly that. 2% criminal element  1,540,000 criminals People usually lie about age. If under 21, increase by 2-5 years; if older than 35, same in reverse. Profiles: searchable; lock profile to friends only but even so… Some schools have banned My Space & MSN at home and school

Chat Room Notes One twist: TV producers are creating MySpace profiles for fictional TV characters. Problems: chain-mail; mail confirming unproven theft; inappropriate pix; fake websites in student name. Say things without thinking; practical jokes; dares & bets; posturing for popularity.

Chat Room Notes Good parts of chat areas: creative expression; a good place to try on and act out; learn about street-level technology – Leads to: new skills, new opportunities; collaborative global citizenship; a new definition of “intelligent”; schools a safe training ground. Are you tech-savvy? Risk takers; anticipate consequences; Problems non-truths & opinion mixed with fact – hate, racism, weapons, suicide, violence

Chat Room Rules for Everyone to Live By Never post personal information Never respond to a message from someone you don’t know

Chat Room Rules for Everyone to Live By Never post your real name or address Block troublemakers

Chat Room Rules for Everyone to Live By Don’t click on links in a message from people you don’t know Have an adult to turn to Save bad messages

Things to watch for in Chat Rooms People who can’t get their story straight People who initiate sexual conversation

Things to watch for in Chat Rooms People who don’t know the answers to teen culture questions People who want photos or to meet in person People who ask for too much information

Chat Room Dangers

More On Chat Room Profiles NameBirthdayBirth Place Current LocationEye ColorHair Color HeightLeft/Right HandedHeritage The Shoes You Wore Today Your Weaknesses Your FearsPerfect Pizza Goal You’d Like To Achieve This Year

Cyber-bullying In the middle ages, the Welsh said: “It’s easy to be brave behind castle walls” – Welsh proverb Today, the proverb might read: “It’s easy to be tough using an anonymous handle”

Cyber-bullying facts 34% of Canadian students have been bullied at one time or another. 27% of those students have been bullied over the Internet. 60% of students on-line pretend to be someone else. 17% of students on-line want to "act mean to people and get away with it“.

Cyber-Bullying & the law It is a crime to communicate repeatedly with someone if your communication causes them to fear for their own safety or the safety of others. It's also a crime to publish a "defamatory libel" - writing something that is designed to insult a person or likely to injure a person's reputation by exposing him or her to hatred, contempt or ridicule. It is also a crime to spread hate or discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or disability.

if you’re cyber-bullied… Don’t reply to messages from cyber-bullies. Do not keep this to yourself! Tell an adult you know and trust! Inform your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or cell phone/pager service provider. Do not erase or delete messages from cyber-bullies.

Useful Links Don’t Believe the Type Wired Safety Net Smartz Workshop – Real Life Stories Cyber-Bullying. Ca Chat Dangers