This course is designed for students ages 11-18 who are learning to use the Internet. It supplies common sense tips for staying safe while using a wide range of network based tools.
Most of the people in your life would never hurt you. If you use the Internet, you may be at risk though. There are people out there who could hurt you and if you're not safe, they can find you through the Internet.
Predators may be scary but students are more likely to be victims of relational aggression and bullying than Internet predators.
"Technology does not make bullies. It just makes them more productive."
"Help stop cyberbullying. If your child sees cyberbullying happening to someone else, encourage him or her to try to stop it by not engaging or forwarding anything and by telling the bully to stop. Researchers say that bullying usually stops pretty quickly when peers intervene on behalf of the victim. One way to help stop bullying online is to report it to the site or network where you see it."
-- Net Cetera - Chatting with kids about being online.
The trend is more and younger. Can social networks be safe? Why are are they so inviting to today's teens?
Many social networking sites require that children be at least 13 years old to join. This is because of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
The desire for risk-taking and sexual exploration during the teenage years combined with a constant connection via mobile devices creates a "perfect storm" for sexting. Teenagers have always grappled with issues around sex and relationships, but their coming-of-age mistakes and transgressions have never been so easily transmitted and archived for others to see. -- Amanda Lenhart, 2009 PEW Study: Teens and Texting