Cyber-Safety – Do You Know What Your Teens Are Doing Online?

Over the past several years, like most middle schools in the U.S., ELMS has seen a rise in the number of incidents where students have “abused” the power of the internet. Some of the incidents we have investigated involving students include: engaging in inappropriate online chats at home and then printing-out the dialogue and bringing it to school to embarrass one or more students; using cell phones to take inappropriate pictures at school and then sending them to other students via the internet; texting during school hours; videotaping inappropriate behavior at home and bringing it to school for others to see; and creating websites for the purpose of ridiculing other students. While these incidents were isolated, the use of computers, cell phones and other digital-aged tools by teens, while incredibly useful, can be abused.

In response to these troublesome incidents and other potential cyber safety issues, our staff has seen this as a wonderful opportunity to teach our students about the many benefits and dangers that exist in the digital age in which we live. Our Student Services Team, has taken an active role in creating and teaching lessons for all of our students on “NETetiquette”. These lessons include cyber safety, cyber bullying and a safety pledge for both parents and students to sign where students agree to follow the guidelines established by Netsmartz.org.

Here are some recent CYBER facts that may be of interest...

Did You Know?
• 94% of American teens ages 12-17 use the internet
• 87% of all parents are online
• 73% of all families have broadband @ home
• 68% of online Americans have broadband @ home
• 6% of teens do not use the internet

Did You Know?
• 33% of all online teens have sent an inappropriate text message, instant message or image over the internet using a computer and/or cell phone
• 59% of online teens report having images of themselves on the internet

Did You Know?
• 58% of online teens have a profile online
• 70% of teen girls, particularly older teen girls, more likely to belong to a social networking site compared to 57% of teen boys
• 32% of teens report being contacted online by a stranger
• 23% of teens contacted by strangers, report to feeling scared or uncomfortable by the stranger’s comments
• Overall, 7% of online teens have experienced disturbing stranger contact

Did You Know?
• Only 58% of teens report that their parents have rules regarding internet use at home
• Only 55% of teens report that their parents place limits on the amount of time on they can use the internet at home

Research conducted by PEW/Internet: Teens & Online Safety. This study was presented by: Amanda Lenhart in October, 2008. http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/research/isttf/RAB