Cyberbullying

You probably already know that there are both federal and state laws in place for adults who engage in sexting with minors, but did you know that many states have adopted sexting laws that address sexting between teens? A recent article reviews the specifics of teen sexting laws, including a break down by state so you can see the specific law that applies to you. It’s a good idea to review with your teen so they understand the laws and what the legal consequences are if they do not follow them.  

If you are using an Internet filter to block your children’s online contact with the negative elements of the online world such as bullies, predators, pornography and other inappropriate material, you might want to rethink your approach. A new study casts doubt on the effectiveness of these kinds of tools, finding that children with filtering software on their home computers were almost just as likely to encounter inappropriate material online as those without filtering software. They also found that those children who “got around” the filter were much less likely to report negative online experiences to their parents or other adults - a problem because it means that parents and kids are not talking about what to do when they encounter bad things online. As one US expert in the field said, “It’s really important to talk to your kids about how to keep their information safe online. If you would prefer your child not look at pornography, talk to them about what that means to you.”

If you are using an Internet filter to block your children’s online contact with the negative elements of the online world such as bullies, predators, pornography and other inappropriate material, you might want to rethink your approach. A new study casts doubt on the effectiveness of these kinds of tools, finding that children with filtering software on their home computers were almost just as likely to encounter inappropriate material online as those without filtering software. They also found that those children who “got around” the filter were much less likely to report negative online experiences to their parents or other adults - a problem because it means that parents and kids are not talking about what to do when they encounter bad things online. As one US expert in the field said, “It’s really important to talk to your kids about how to keep their information safe online. If you would prefer your child not look at pornography, talk to them about what that means to you.”

Have your kids been talking about Uptime? YouTube is experimenting with the idea of social viewing of videos – whether all at the same time or asynchronously – and Uptime is the platform (app) they have launched. The app allows users to react with comments or emojis while watching videos, and those reactions are then seen by anyone else who watches the same video—even if they’re watching at a later time. Although YouTubeSocial, WeMesh, LiveLead, and AirTime have taken similar approaches to co-watching, Uptime has captured the teenage market with the capability to see reactions to the videos after posting. As with any new app, parents should be diligent in watching out for the potential for it to be used as a tool for cyberbullying as well.

Have your kids been talking about Uptime? YouTube is experimenting with the idea of social viewing of videos – whether all at the same time or asynchronously – and Uptime is the platform (app) they have launched. The app allows users to react with comments or emojis while watching videos, and those reactions are then seen by anyone else who watches the same video—even if they’re watching at a later time. Although YouTubeSocial, WeMesh, LiveLead, and AirTime have taken similar approaches to co-watching, Uptime has captured the teenage market with the capability to see reactions to the videos after posting. As with any new app, parents should be diligent in watching out for the potential for it to be used as a tool for cyberbullying as well.

If your child’s teacher has introduced the topic of being a good digital citizen, or if you just want to review some key safety concepts with your child, you may want to check out the Common Sense Education K-12 Digital Citizenship curriculum. The program includes everything from lesson plans, videos, student interactives, and assessments, to professional learning and family outreach materials. Topics covered include: Relationships and Communication, Internet Safety, Cyberbullying and Digital Drama, and Creative Credit and Copyright as well as other pertinent issues.

If your child’s teacher has introduced the topic of being a good digital citizen, or if you just want to review some key safety concepts with your child, you may want to check out the Common Sense Education K-12 Digital Citizenship curriculum. The program includes everything from lesson plans, videos, student interactives, and assessments, to professional learning and family outreach materials. Topics covered include: Relationships and Communication, Internet Safety, Cyberbullying and Digital Drama, and Creative Credit and Copyright as well as other pertinent issues.

Legislation being considered by lawmakers in South Dakota would make it illegal for school visitors, including parents, to use electronic recording devices in classrooms. One school official said the bill will help to prevent the creation of memes or unflattering images of teachers that some students think are funny to post on social media. It will be interesting to see if this bill becomes a trend. Opponents of the bill argue that in certain cases these devices are necessary, such as parents of children with special needs who have used these kinds of devices to ferret out accusations of abuse of their children.

Legislation being considered by lawmakers in South Dakota would make it illegal for school visitors, including parents, to use electronic recording devices in classrooms. One school official said the bill will help to prevent the creation of memes or unflattering images of teachers that some students think are funny to post on social media. It will be interesting to see if this bill becomes a trend. Opponents of the bill argue that in certain cases these devices are necessary, such as parents of children with special needs who have used these kinds of devices to ferret out accusations of abuse of their children.

While researchers say teens view social media as a way to communicate, parents should know that frequent posting is not necessarily tied to narcissistic behavior in younger people. "You really want to look not at what they post," said Larry Rosen of California State University, Dominguez Hills, "but how they react back when somebody dismisses them, makes fun of them, says their post is silly." Rosen further emphasizes that teens who are taught to reflect before they post are able to make more intentional choices online. Narcissistic patterns are subtle, but a strong reaction to criticism can indicate narcissistic tendencies.