Social Networking - Information

Facts / Resources

 

ChildrenOnline.org Link
Our approach, unique in the field of Internet safety, combines a thorough understanding of Internet technologies, child development and counseling, to focus on the impact of the internet on the social, emotional and language development of young people.

Media Impact: Link to MediaFamily.org, with tips to help parents

Bnetsavvy.org is a one-stop shop for adults. There educators and parents will find internet safety information, classroom activities, news stories, credible links and interactive message boards; articles written by educators, parents, experts, and young people, and a variety of Internet-related activities, tools and resources. Topics will cover the spectrum of social technology from social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook to instant messaging (IM), chat rooms, texting and online gaming. Adults will be provided with insights into the world that kids are entering from computers, gaming units and cell phones.

Common Sense Media: Parent advice re today's movies and other media.

Emerging Technology: Link to pdf detailing the benefits and risks associated with emerging technologies.

Net Family News: Help your teen to use the internet safely.

A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety: A link to the FBI's guidelines and suggestions.

Parent's Guide from the National PTA: Link to list of other resources includiing cell phone safety and an internet safety checklist.

Teen Safety on the Information Highway: www.cybertipline.com includes tear off card with rules to place near your computer.

What is Sexting? Sexual Texting
A new trend of sending sexual texts and pictures via cell phone has lead to a number of teens being charged with child pornography.  In addition to the legal questions here, there are several sexual and emotional health concerns.
A survey from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy shows that 20% of teens report having sent or posted nude pictures or videos of themselves. Here are some other interesting statistics:

• 21% of teen girls and 39% of teen boys say they have engaged in "sexting" with someone they wanted to date or hook up with.  
• 15% of teens who have sent or posted nude/semi-nude images of themselves say they have done so to someone they only knew online.
• 29% of teens believe those exchanging sexually suggestive content are “expected” to date or hook up.
• 51% of teen girls say pressure from a guy is a reason girls send sexy messages or images

Articles

2008-09 Archive

States reconsidering whether laws on teens and sexting too tough,
(Cleveland PD, March 21, 2010) Last year, a 14-year-old New Jersey girl was arrested and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography after posting dozens of sexually explicit photographs of herself on MySpace. Such cases, lawyers say, are far afield from what the child pornography laws were intended for. <Read More>

Sexting info based on Channel 5 report, March 2010
http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/federal-prosecutors-warn-teens-of-dangers-of--illegal-%22sexting%22

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/dangers-of-teen-%22sexting%22-can-include-suicide

When is a Kid's Game Site not for Kids? (ChildrenOnline.org, March 2010)
Many children's online game sites offer pornographic, extremely violent, vulgar and inappropriate games.  And most of these games have no disclaimer that they are intended for adult's eyes.

The skinny on sexting, (Ohio Public Schools PD Quartly, Aug. 2009)
..."In addition to this behavior being morally objectionable, in many states it's illegal." <Read More>