Cyber Bullying Sexting and Cyber Safety Intervention Education
Cyber Bullying, Sexting, and Cyber Safety: Intervention & Education for our Youth Presented by: James P. Colt, Ed. D. March 2012
Objectives Gain insight into issues associated with the digital revolution Develop a deeper understanding of online risks, sexting, cyber bullying, and other forms of digital abuse (what they are) Review education and intervention, and explore our roles (educators/schools and parents) in promoting cyber safety (what we can do, and what we can teach)
“May You Live in Interesting Times” Nearly all young people are online They are multi-media multi-taskers (research, SNS, videos, blogs, content creation, gaming, smart phones) Most technologically literate generation
May you Live in Interesting Times: Blessing and Curse Technology brings so many positives… …but has a “dark side”- issue-the digital world is largely unsupervised and unregulated-real world norms don’t always transfer to online world! Harmful aspects-cyber bullying, sexting, academic dishonesty, pirating, pornography, identity theft (CSEI data) No clear online code of conduct or rule-book for students or adults Difficult to Supervise!
Digital Youth Culture-learned set of values, beliefs, customs, norms, and perceptions shared by group that guide lifestyles DYC-learned sets shared by youth in their technological world- Social networking/computing, content creating and sharing, instant communication, gaming, texting more fully integrated into lives of youth
Cell Phones…. . June 27, 2010 9
Non-Voice programs on cell-phones June 27, 2010 10
June 27, 2010 11
“An all purpose text-chat-gaming-photo sharing-Internet media hub. ” June 27, 2010 12
Cell Phones…. .
Sexting The act of sending sexually explicit pics or messages via cell phone or Internet The perfect storm – constant connection via mobile devices combined with risktaking and sexual exploration of teens
Teens and Sexting 15% of cell-owning teens ages 12 -17 say they have received sexually suggestive nude images of someone they know via text message; other research shows this number to be closer to 10% 3 main scenarios for sexting: (1) exchanges of images between a couple (2) pics sent to someone they hope to be in a relationship with (3) exchanges between a couple that are then shared outside the relationship Reasons: sexual, entertainment, bullying
Research Published Dec. 2011 U. S. police involved in 3, 477 cases of sexual images produced by minors in 2008 -9 One-third involved romantic relationships Another third involved aggravating circumstancessharing without consent or blackmailing
Sexting Issues Short term consequences: sexual blackmail, bullying, embarrassment Long term: potential depression, self-injury, suicide (Jesse Logan, 2008) Legal consequences: school sanctions, civil liability, criminal prosecution: *Federal child porn statutes (<18) *State laws (vary): NY -disseminating indecent materials to minors
Cell Phones and School: Intervention Set the classroom rules- “Off and AWAY During the Day!” Post the policy. Report any suspected violations of Code of Conduct including suspect pictures Remember that cell-phones can be searched by administration/security if there is reason to believe it has evidence of inappropriate conduct
Education for Youth: Cell Phones Only give your number to those you know and trust Don’t take/send/possess pics that are sexual in nature Remember that your texts/pics can be easily forwarded Everything on your phone can be used against youdigital footprints! Don’t text and drive!
Bullying and Abuse Harmful physical or psychological actions against another that are intentional and repeated Many types-NOT new Power/contempt; targeted abuse
Bullying Research 15 -30% of students nationwide report being bullies or victims Bullying contributes to depression, decreased self-worth, hopelessness, loneliness, emotional pain Bullying is PEER ABUSE
Youth Voice Project, 2010 - Stan Davis and Charisse Nixon.
Cyber Bullying • Using technology with the intent to repeatedly intimidate, harass, annoy, threaten, embarrass or otherwise cause harm • text and images communicated via computer (e-mail, IM, S. N. web-sites, online gaming, chat rooms) • …or via cell-phone (text messages, pics, online) or other device • Aggression/ Abuse
Why is Cyber Bullying Relevant? It is increasing (YISS 1 and 2); It is harmful Harm from all forms of bullying includes emotional pain, low-self-esteem, depression, anger, and academic decline… School concerns with appropriate response-public attention and backlash Schools are faced with difficult legal issues (victim or bully lawsuits) and questions about how to best educate our children on cyber safety
Cyber Bullying Research 1/3 of teenagers say they have been cyber bullied; Girls have reported experiencing it more often than boys, but it can also be between those in relationships. Largely involves KNOWN peers Bullies often cyber bully, and victims of bullying often victims of cyber bullying Similar to traditional bullying, the majority of cyber-bullying victims and bystanders failed to notify adults Youth are more likely to be engaged in cyber bullying if they believe adults and bystanders will not intervene
Cyber Bullying Types An abusive or threatening text, e-mail, IM, or post (words, pics, drawings, videos) (Harassment) A website set up to mock others (Denigration) Pretending to be another while posting a message (Impersonation) Forwarding or posting supposedly private messages, pictures, or video to others (Outing & Trickery) Intentionally leaving out of conversations (Exclusion) Spreading rumors (Defamation)
A Question… Is it easier to be cruel to someone online or to be cruel in person? Why?
Disinhibition Causes Problems! “You cant see me” (invisible/anonymous) “I can’t see you” (no tangible feedback) Role playing (personas/avatars) Think that it is not real (no one gets hurt) Distance and Dehumanization
Phoebe Prince and Tyler Clementi
Jamey Rodemeyer "I always say how bullied I am, but no one listens, " he wrote Sept. 9. "What do I have to do so people will listen to me? “ He posted a lyric from Lady Gaga's song "The Queen" on his Facebook page: "Don't forget me when I come crying to heaven's door. " "JAMIE IS STUPID, GAY, FAT ANND UGLY. HE MUST DIE!" read one post.
Jamey’s Story Issues of bullying and even suicide talk were not new to many of Jamey's family or friends Seemed to ramp up to an extreme level when other students started making taunts with gay references to Jamey on his Formspring account, which permits anonymous posts Another read: "I wouldn't care if you died. No one would. So just do it : ) It would make everyone WAY more happier!"
Intervention Establish and enforce bullying rules and policies related to technology use Monitor student’s use of computers/devicessupervision! (filtering and tracking software can help) Investigate and follow-through on reports of cyber bullying-ask many questions/investigate but do not over-react-every case is different and varies in seriousness
Our Roles: Intervention Youth Voice Research Project. If reported to you, “Handle With Care” Overall reported helpfulness of adult actions: 1. Listened to me 2. Gave me advice 3. Checked in with me afterwards to see if the behavior stopped
Case Study
Advice for Victims of Cyber bullying • DO NOT reply to messages from cyberbullies • Do not erase or delete messages from cyberbullies, keep them as evidence • Do not keep this to yourself! Tell an adult you know and trust! • Report to Facebook or Youtube, Internet Service Provider (ISP) or cell phone/pager service provider • You can also report to police…
Consequences for Cyber Bullying? Possible School Discipline Possible Violation of Criminal Laws (making threats ( of violence, engaging in coercion, making harassing and obscene calls and text messages, harassment or stalking, hate or bias crimes, sending sexually explicit images, sexual exploitation, and taking a picture of someone in a place where privacy is expected. ) Possible Damaged Reputation (Their Own)
Education: Teaching Online Civility Educate: our children need to be taught how to use technology safely, responsibly, and ethically This is a shared responsibility Disinhibition… What happens in the online world… Values-treatment of others-Small V. Tall? P 4: Pause and Ponder Prior to Posting! Miranda Warning!
Policies, Programs, and Interventions Bullying Prevention Counsel bullies Support targets Activate bystanders Safe and affirming school climate Consequences for aggression: • inevitable, • predictable, • escalating • Positive feeling tone and modeling • Time spent with young people Stan Davis http: //stopbullyingnow. com © 2001
DASA and “Harassment” DASA defines harassment as “creation of a hostile environment by conduct or by verbal threats, intimidation, or abuse that has or would have the effect of unreasonably and substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional or physical well-being. ” “Bullying and hazing are forms of harassment and discrimination. ”
Game Time! A truth and a lie… n n n Turn to the person next to you and… In any order tell them one thing that is true and one not so true thing about yourself. See if you can spot the “lie”
Cyber Predation Most cyber predators are NOT violent killers, kidnappers, or pedophiles They are adult male sex offenders (no profile) who are attracted to, and seek out sexual relationships with adolescents (vulnerable) Many lie about who they are but many do not use deception: are open about wanting sex from victim Don’t believe the type!
So What About Social Networking? Can be VERY positive, BUT SN’s more likely to report being cyber bullied
So What About Social Networking? November 2011 Research (Pew): Blessing “The majority of social media-using teens (69%) say their peers are mostly kind to one another on social network sites. ” “More teens report positive personal outcomes than negative ones from interactions on social network sites: 78% report at least one good outcome. ”
So What About Social Networking? November 2011 Research (Pew): Curse “a substantial number of teens report specific negative outcomes from experiences on social network sites: 41% of teens who use social media say they have experienced at least one of the negative outcomes. ” “ 88% of social media-using teens have witnessed other people be mean or cruel on social network sites (12% Frequently, 29% Sometimes, 47% Once in awhile)”
Online Self-Defense Message: Social Networking/Media Check your online persona monthly: search your name; remove anything you do not want posted Do you know and trust all of your online friends? Or are you going for the record? Post information and images that you WANT to share with a WIDE audience…… Cyber predators try to find you based on the information that YOU provide! Watch your privacy settings!
Addressing CB: Parents “Cyber what? That’s kids stuff. My kids have temper tantrums if I dare go near their computers. Peace of mind means more to me- it’s not worth upsetting the apple cart. ” n Mother of three teens n What does this comment “say”? n
Technology Tips 101 Establish and enforce rules (don’t JUST caution them) Talk to kids: be interested and involved with their tech use-stay Current, Communicate, and Check Start with parental controls and filters-cell phone providers also have blocking and tracking capabilities -Open DNS Family AUP/Internet use contract-clearly specify what can and cannot be done online/with cell-phones Be reasonable-the “hammer” can cut off communications, reduce trust
Content: Watch the Apps!
ØEncourage to tell an adult-in positions to STOP the cyber bullying. ØCan also inform ISP, cell-phone provider, or police.
Response Youth Voice Research Project Overall reported helpfulness of adult actions: 1. Listened to me 2. Gave me advice 3. Checked in with me afterwards to see if the behavior stopped. So…. if your child tells YOU, “Handle with Care” *About solving issue TOGETHER
- Slides: 60