1. Cyberbullying, Sexting, & Cyber Crimes Against Children Sergeant Mike Detloff Moorhead Police Department

2. CYBERBULLYING

3. Cyber Bully’s ► Definition:  Cyber bullying is the use of modern communication technologies to embarrass, humiliate, threaten, or intimidate an individual in the attempt to gain power and control over them.

4. Then and Now ► Bullying used to be limited to the playground or hallways between classes. ► Now, cyberbullying can be a seemingly anonymous person that can harass 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year. ► Kids can’t get away from it!

5. Cyber Bully’s: ► New MN State Law: All schools are required to have a policy in effect regarding cyber bullying. ► One of the biggest and growing problems facing schools today. ► Not every case of cyber bullying is criminal ► Every case of cyber bullying should be dealt with quickly and effectively

6. Kitchen Cyberbully

7. Why do kids bully other kids online? ► You can’t see me/ I can’t see you ► Cyberbullies feel they can act anonymously ► It is more difficult for them to feel empathy ► Is often done rapidly, with little time to think

8. Examples Of Cyberbullying: 1. A student receives anonymous emails at home that are threatening or teasing, even though there is no problems at school. The student has no idea who is responsible but starts to feel like everyone is against them. 2. A school website is bombarded by posts that spread rumors about a specific student. The rumors aren’t true but other students believe they are when they see them posted. The student is teased by others.

9. More Examples: 3. Somebody makes up a profile on Facebook using a real student’s name, photo, and contact information. The student starts getting strange emails from strangers. Some of the messages are offensive and others are just plain mean.

10. Broken Friendship

11. Lost in Translation ► A text message or Facebook post may have been misunderstood or misinterpreted. ► Typed words do not convey non-verbal cues. ► The misunderstanding may escalate to the actual cyberbullying. ► Can be a good “excuse” for kids to start admitting.

12. When to contact the police: ► Repeated or excessive harassment (with or without threats of harm). ► Encouraging or suggesting that a person kill themselves. ► Threatening to harm or kill a person, a person’s pet, or anybody else. ► Threatening to commit a crime. ► Fraudulently posting private information such as names, addresses, phone numbers or email addresses in a public forum, putting the target at risk.

13. How to Respond to Cyber Bully’s: ► Strongly encourage kids not to respond to the cyber bullying. ► Do not erase the messages or pictures. Save these as evidence. ► Try to identify the individual doing the cyber bullying. Even if the cyber bully is anonymous (e.g., is using a fake name or someone else’s identity) there may be a way to track them through your Internet Service Provider. If the cyber bullying is criminal (or if you suspect that it may be), contact the police and ask them to do the tracking. ► Sending inappropriate language may violate the “Terms and Conditions” of e-mail services, Internet Service Providers, web sites, and cell phone companies. Consider contacting these providers and filing a complaint.

14. How to Respond (cont.) ► If the cyber bullying is coming through e-mail or a cell phone, it may be possible to block future contact from the cyberbully. Of course, the cyberbully may assume a different identity and continue the bullying. ► Contact your school. If the cyber bullying is occurring through your school district’s Internet system, school administrators have an obligation to intervene. Even if the cyber bullying is occurring off campus, make your school administrators aware of the problem. They may be able to help you resolve the cyber bullying or be watchful for face-to-face bullying.

15. How to Respond (cont.) ► Consider contacting the cyberbully’s parents. These parents may be very concerned to learn that their child has been cyber bullying others, and they may effectively put a stop to the bullying. On the other hand, these parents may react very badly to your contacting them. So, proceed cautiously. Present proof of the cyber bullying (e.g., copies of an e-mail message) and ask them to make sure the cyber bullying stops.

16. How to Respond (cont.) ► Consider contacting an attorney in cases of serious cyber bullying. In some circumstances, civil law permits victims to sue a bully or his or her parents in order to recover damages. ► Contact the police if cyber bullying involves acts such as:  Threats of violence  Extortion  Obscene or harassing phone calls or text messages  Harassment, stalking, or hate crimes  Child pornography

17. Ryan’s Story

18. Cyberbullying – Tragic Consequences Megan Meier, 13, began receiving nasty messages from a boy after a few weeks of an online flirtation with him via her MySpace account, ending with one that suggested “the world would be a better place” without her. Megan, believing she had been rejected by "Josh," committed suicide in her home. Six weeks after Megan’s death, her parents learned that "Josh Evans" never existed. He was an online character created by Lori Drew, then 47, who lived four houses down the street and was the mother of one of Megan's former friends. In a highly unusual use of a federal law generally employed in computer fraud cases, a federal grand jury indicted Ms. Drew in May 2008 on charges that she had used a phony online identity to trick and taunt Megan. She pled not guilty to the charges and the case went to trial in November 2008. Dew was convicted of 3 misdemeanor charges. A judge has since dismissed the conviction.

19. Not all Bullying Stories End Tragically: ► Nova Scotia “Sea of Pink” ► 9 th Grade student gets picked on for wearing a pink polo shirt to school by school bully ► David Shepherd and Travis Price organize a campaign through the internet to show support ► One student even spray painted an old bike pink and wore a pink dress to school

20. Paraprofessional Conference--Pipestone

21. SEXTING

22. 22 1.What is Sexting? 2.Who is doing it? 3.What is the big deal? 4.What are the consequences? 5.How do we handle it?

23. Then and Now How Fast It Changed 23

24. 24 So Just What is Sexting Wikipedia provides us with this definition: Sexting (a portmanteau of sex and texting) is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photos electronically, primarily between cell phonesportmanteausex texting

25. Everyone Knows Your Name

26. How many teens are sending or posting sexually suggestive messages? 39% of all teens 39% of all teens 37% of teen girls 37% of teen girls 40% of teen boys 40% of teen boys 48% of teens say they have received such 48% of teens say they have received such messages messages

27. Who are these sexually suggestive messages and images being sent to? 71% of teen girls and 67% boys to a boyfriend/girlfriend. 71% of teen girls and 67% boys to a boyfriend/girlfriend. 21% of teen girls and 39% boys to someone they wanted to date or hook up with. 21% of teen girls and 39% boys to someone they wanted to date or hook up with. 15% of teens who have sent or posted 15% of teens who have sent or posted nude/seminude images of themselves say they nude/seminude images of themselves say they have done so to someone they only knew online. have done so to someone they only knew online.

28. How do teens feel about sending/posting sexually suggestive content? 75% ―can have serious negative 75% ―can have serious negative consequences. consequences. Yet, 39% of teens have sent or posted Yet, 39% of teens have sent or posted sexually suggestive emails or text sexually suggestive emails or text messages—and 20% of teens have messages—and 20% of teens have sent/posted nude or semi-nude images of sent/posted nude or semi-nude images of themselves themselves

29. How many teens say they have been shown nude/semi-nude content originally meant for someone else? 38% of teen girls and 39% of teen boys 38% of teen girls and 39% of teen boys say they have had sexually suggestive text say they have had sexually suggestive text messages or emails. messages or emails. 25% of teen girls and 33% of teen boys 25% of teen girls and 33% of teen boys say they have had nude or semi-nude say they have had nude or semi-nude images. images.

30. Sexting-Don’t

31. Where did the pressure come from? teen girls say pressure from a guy is a teen girls say pressure from a guy is a reason girls send sexy messages or reason girls send sexy messages or images images teen girls and teen boys say they were teen girls and teen boys say they were pressured by friends to send or post pressured by friends to send or post sexual content. sexual content.

32. Myth and Reality ► It was only for my boyfriend ► It was a private thing between me and him ► I felt safe in my bedroom ► I would never have done this if I’d realized ► I never believe he’d do that ► I trusted him ► Now everyone knows… ► I would never have done this in the real world! ► It wasn’t supposed to upset her

33. Why do teens send these messages? ► Pressure from guys ► Pressure from friends ► As a joke ► “Fun or flirtatious” ► “Feel sexy” or as a “sexy present” ► To bully or harass ► To get attention

35. Potential Charges ► MN Stat. § 617.246 Use of Minors in Sexual Performance (Felony) ► MN Stat. § 617.247 Possession of Pornographic work (Felony) ► MN Stat. § 617.241 Distribution of Obscene Materials (Gross Misdemeanor) ► MN Stat. § 617.293 Dissemination of Harmful Materials (Gross Misdemeanor) ► MN Stat. § 617.746 Interference with Privacy (Gross Misdemeanor) ► MN Stat. § 617.23 Indecent Exposure (Gross Misdemeanor or Misdemeanor) ► MN Stat. § 617.72 Disorderly Conduct (Misdemeanor) ► MN Stat. 617.245 Civil action; Use of Minor in Sexual Performance

36. This one action can result in multiple felonies in less than a minute. ► Taking a child pornographic photo is production of child pornography ► Sending it is distribution of child pornography ► Everyone who keeps the photo on his or her phone could be charged with possession of child pornography 36

37. THE LAW ► Teen found in possession of this type of image on his/her cell phone can be charged with possession of child pornography and the sender with distribution. ► If convicted, you have to register as a sex offender

38. SEXTING CASES ► Teenage cheerleaders sent naked photos of themselves to a member of the football team. Soon every football player had the photos and a blown up photo was sent to school officials. ► Cheerleaders kicked off the team for violating team ethics. Girls parents suing the school!

39. SEXTING CASES ► In Fort Wayne, Indiana a teenage boy was indicted on felony obscenity charges for allegedly sending a photo of his private parts to several female classmates. Another boy was charged with child pornography in a similar case.

40. Potential Consequences ► Future employment and college admission may be jeopardized ► Relationship problems ► Mental health issues/Suicide ► Violate school rules ► Legal issues ► This action may follow you the rest of your life!

41. What you can do to help… ► Educate students & parents ► Engage in conversations ► Enforce school rules & policies

42. Telling Teens to Stop “Texting” Is this the answer? Is this the answer? In this cyber society, can we expect teens In this cyber society, can we expect teens to stop using the technology? to stop using the technology? How do we cope, teach, nurture cyber How do we cope, teach, nurture cyber citizenship and enforce cyber rules??? citizenship and enforce cyber rules??? Are we creating a monitoring nightmare? Are we creating a monitoring nightmare? How much time do you spend cyber How much time do you spend cyber issues at school? issues at school?

43. So what do we do to tackle the problem? ► It is a difficult issue to handle due to the age of the persons involved – i.e. juvenile ► Public sentiment is not really behind harsh treatment with the issue ► Teens and Tweens really don’t realize the hazards and consequences 43

44. WHAT CAN PARENTS DO? ► If child has received photo make sure they don’t forward it ( Explain consequences) ► Talk calmly to your child. Find out what’s involved (romance, impulsive, retribution) ► May have to consult PD, School, Other parent, lawyer ► If child has sent photo make sure they stop immediately ( Explain consequences)

45. WHAT CAN TEENS DO? ► If you receive a racy photo do not forward it. Speak to the person who sent it, if possible ► If you have sent a racy photo-STOP! ► May have to speak to a trusted adult about how to handle the situation

46. Tackling the problem really requires everyone’s participation ► Parents need to be more involved in the situations children put themselves into. ► Prosecution and Law Enforcement need to find the best avenues to deal with the offenders ► School s and the Community need to take a stand to help educate and cooperate with Law Enforcement/Prosecution 46

47. FIVE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE PRESSING “SEND” 47

48. 1. Don’t assume anything you send or post is going to remain private. Your messages and images will get passed around, even if you think they won’t: 40% of teens and (originally meant to be private) shown to them and 20% say they have shared such a message with someone other than the person for whom is was originally meant.

49. 2. There is no changing your mind in cyberspace— anything you send or post will never truly go away. Something that seems fun and flirty and is done on a whim will never really die. Potential employers, college recruiters, teachers, coaches, parents, friends, enemies, strangers and others may all be able to find your past posts, even after you delete them. And it is nearly impossible to control what other people are posting about you. Think about it: Even if you have second thoughts and delete a racy photo, there is no telling who has already copied that photo and posted it elsewhere.

50. 3. Don’t give in to the pressure to do something that makes you uncomfortable, even in cyberspace. More than 40% of teens say “pressure from guys” is a reason girls post sexually suggestive messages and images. More than 20% of teens say “pressure from friends” is a reason guys send and post sexually suggestive messages and images.

51. 4. Consider the recipient’s reaction. Just because a message is meant to be fun doesn’t mean the person who gets it will see it that way. Four in ten teen girls who have sent sexually suggestive content did so “as a joke” but many teen boys (29%) agree that girls who send such content are “expected to hook up in real life.” It’s easier to be more provocative or outgoing online, but whatever you write, post or send does contribute to the real- life impression you’re making.

52. 5. Nothing is truly anonymous. Nearly one in five young people who send sexually suggestive messages and images, do so to people they only know online (18% total, 15% teens). It is important to remember that even if someone only knows you by screen name, online profile, phone number or email address, that they can probably find you if they try hard enough.

53. Never Take… Pictures of yourself that you wouldn’t want everyone to see Pictures of yourself that you wouldn’t want everyone to see – Classmates – Classmates – Family – Family – Teachers – Teachers – Employers – Employers Think ahead Think ahead – College Recruiters – College Recruiters – Future Employers – Future Employers – Future Spouses and their Families – Future Spouses and their Families – Your Children – Your Children

54. Think before you send. Remember you cannot control who will Remember you cannot control who will see that picture or read that message see that picture or read that message once it hits the internet. once it hits the internet. You cannot take it back. You cannot take it back. What you send to a girlfriend or boyfriend What you send to a girlfriend or boyfriend can be forwarded to their friends, can be forwarded to their friends, acquaintances, online chat buddies, etc… acquaintances, online chat buddies, etc… Out of spite your image can travel to Out of spite your image can travel to people you do not want it to reach. people you do not want it to reach. It could change a life forever It could change a life forever

55. If You… Forward a sexual picture of someone Forward a sexual picture of someone underage (under 18) you are as underage (under 18) you are as responsible for this image as the responsible for this image as the original sender. original sender. You can face… You can face… – Pornography charges – Pornography charges – Go to jail – Go to jail – Register as a Sex Offender – Register as a Sex Offender

56. Only Open from Friends but Report if… Do not open any message from Do not open any message from anyone you do not know anyone you do not know Report any nude picture you receive Report any nude picture you receive on your cell phone to an adult you on your cell phone to an adult you trust trust Do not delete the message, take Do not delete the message, take the phone to the trusted adult the phone to the trusted adult Involve your teachers, parents, Involve your teachers, parents, counselors, principals immediately. counselors, principals immediately.

57. What to Emphasize at School about “Sexting” 1. Educate (staff, students and parents) 2. Review policies and handbooks relating to 3. State consequences clearly 4. Be consistent

58. TRAGIC TEXTING ► Brittany swallowed 23 pills in an effort to take her life. "I believe my daughter tried to commit suicide because she was so ashamed to go back and face her peers knowing that she was going to be harassed, and teased and bullied over this incident,“ ► Brittany, 13, had sent a topless photo to a boy.

59. Jesse Logan

60. 11 th Commandment

61. Contact Info: Joel Voxland 218-299-5129 (office) 218-790-4015 (cell) Joel.voxland@moorheadpolice.com Paraprofessional Conference--Pipestone