October 21, 2008 Jennifer Q.; Loriane M., Michelle E., Charles H. Internet Safety

Did you know???  With over One Million Internet Predators diligently searching MySpace, Facebook and other internet sites, while disguising themselves as children & teenagers.  According to recent statistics, there are more than 1 million Internet Pedophiles online 25% of children have been exposed to unwanted pornographic material online. According to research, only approx. 25% of children who encountered a sexual approach/ solicitation told a parent or adult. 75% of children are willing to share personal information online about themselves and their family in exchange for goods. 77% of the targets for online predators were age 14 or older. Another 22% are users ages 10 to 13. When your child enters a chat room, they have a 50% chance of engaging in a conversation with a pedophile who is posing as a child.  With over One Million Internet Predators diligently searching MySpace, Facebook and other internet sites, while disguising themselves as children & teenagers.  According to recent statistics, there are more than 1 million Internet Pedophiles online 25% of children have been exposed to unwanted pornographic material online. According to research, only approx. 25% of children who encountered a sexual approach/ solicitation told a parent or adult. 75% of children are willing to share personal information online about themselves and their family in exchange for goods. 77% of the targets for online predators were age 14 or older. Another 22% are users ages 10 to 13. When your child enters a chat room, they have a 50% chance of engaging in a conversation with a pedophile who is posing as a child.

Internet Victim

Outline  Importance of knowing Internet Safety  Types of Risks  Quicktips for Parents  Protection Tools for YOU  Internet Safety Laws  Importance of knowing Internet Safety  Types of Risks  Quicktips for Parents  Protection Tools for YOU  Internet Safety Laws

Why is it important?  Children who are online without Internet safety training are at a high risk of becoming victims of Internet- related crimes. Students must be aware of Internet basics, personal safety issues, hackers, and identity theft. They need to be empowered to be safe and responsible cyber citizens.

Risks…..  Blogging  Bullying/Cyberbullying  Chat Rooms  Child Pornography  E-Commerce, Phishing, Identity Theft  Blogging  Bullying/Cyberbullying  Chat Rooms  Child Pornography  E-Commerce, Phishing, Identity Theft  Online Gaming / Gambling  Racism on the Internet  Social Networking  Spam  Virus  Online Gaming / Gambling  Racism on the Internet  Social Networking  Spam  Virus

 Not all threats are direct, many social networks can lead to indirect security risks for the user. For example blogs and peer-to-peer websites can publicly display personal information that was put up by the user. This information can be easily attained by a threat which can lead to some of the mentioned risks (or even worse!)  So internet safety is much more than just having an anti-virus program, its more like knowing how to use the internet safely and understanding the threats that can not only affect you, but anyone using the computer in your household/family.  Not all threats are direct, many social networks can lead to indirect security risks for the user. For example blogs and peer-to-peer websites can publicly display personal information that was put up by the user. This information can be easily attained by a threat which can lead to some of the mentioned risks (or even worse!)  So internet safety is much more than just having an anti-virus program, its more like knowing how to use the internet safely and understanding the threats that can not only affect you, but anyone using the computer in your household/family.

Quicktips for Parents  Of course get a good anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti- most downloadable threats software, and keep it updated to protect from newly developing threats.  Monitor children’s computer usage (history, cookie files, etc.)  Limit or monitor personal information put up on social networks (such as myspace).  Monitor accounts  Invest in a “tracking” software. It will monitor websites visited and computer usage. A good tool to help parents play “guardian” without actually having to interrupting the users (or physically be there).  Of course get a good anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti- most downloadable threats software, and keep it updated to protect from newly developing threats.  Monitor children’s computer usage (history, cookie files, etc.)  Limit or monitor personal information put up on social networks (such as myspace).  Monitor accounts  Invest in a “tracking” software. It will monitor websites visited and computer usage. A good tool to help parents play “guardian” without actually having to interrupting the users (or physically be there).

Internet Safety Laws  Twenty-one states have Internet filtering laws that apply to public schools or libraries. The majority of these states simply require school boards or public libraries to adopt Internet use policies to prevent minors from gaining access to sexually explicit, obscene or harmful materials. However, some states also require publicly funded institutions to install filtering software on library public access terminals or school computers.

CIPA An Internet safety policy must include technology protection measures to block or filter Internet access to pictures that: (a) are obscene, (b) are child pornography, or (c) are harmful to minors (for computers that are accessed by minors). Schools and libraries subject to CIPA are required to adopt and implement a policy addressing: (a) access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet; (b) the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications; (c) unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking,” and other unlawful activities by minors online; (d) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and (e) restricting minors’ access to materials harmful to them.

COPPA  The Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPA): In 1998 a narrower version of the CDA required commercial Web sites to verify proof of age before giving users access to sexually explicit material considered obscene for minors.  On June 29, 2004 the Supreme Court kept in place the 1999 lower-court ruling against the enforcement of COPA, but ordered the lower court to consider whether recent advancements in filtering technologies could protect children more or less effectively than the criminal sanctions specified in COPA.  The Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPA): In 1998 a narrower version of the CDA required commercial Web sites to verify proof of age before giving users access to sexually explicit material considered obscene for minors.  On June 29, 2004 the Supreme Court kept in place the 1999 lower-court ruling against the enforcement of COPA, but ordered the lower court to consider whether recent advancements in filtering technologies could protect children more or less effectively than the criminal sanctions specified in COPA.

CDA  The Communications Decency Act (CDA): Passed in 1996, the CDA represents Congress’s first attempt to regulate children’s access to sexually explicit material on the Internet. The CDA made it illegal to put “indecent” content on the Internet where kids could find it. However, the Supreme Court unanimously declared the CDA unconstitutional in 1997 in Reno v. ACLU for “broad suppression of speech addressed to adults”; the term “indecent” was found to be too vague.

Conclusion  Just like any safety issue, it's wise to talk with your kids / students about your concerns of the internet, take advantage of resources to protect them, and keep a close eye on their activities.

ANY QUESTIONS???