Sue Scheff: The Consequences of Sexting
by Sue Scheff on Feb 27, 2010
Sexting is a word that years ago we would have not heard about. Today teens and tweens are not only familiar with this word, many have suffered the consequences from it.
A Thin Line debuted on MTV this month that educates and informs parents, teachers, kids and everyone about the dangers of the digital world.
What is Sexting?
Sending or forwarding nude, sexually suggestive, or explicit pics on your cell or online. For some people, it’s no big deal. But real problems can emerge when the parties involved are under 18, when people get pressured into sexting, and when sexts go viral. – A Thin Line
What are the consequences of sending or receiving one? There are many, however the most common are the feelings of humiliation, embarrassment and much worse. The person that is in the photo can potentially suffer from extreme depression and even feelings of suicide.
For the person sending them to go viral, there could be potential criminal charges. You could get arrested. Taking, sending, and possessing naked images of a minor is a federal crime. Sex offenders’ registry? Not the honor roll you were hoping for.
Parents need to take the time to sit down and talk to their kids about sexting and how it can potentially ruin lives for a long time. Review their phones or computers if you suspect that your child is participating in this activity. Remember, there comes a time when safety trumps privacy and this could be one of those times.
Be an educated parent, you will have safer teens.
Watch A Thin Line on Sexting in America. Watch the four-part series with your children.
Read more on Examiner.
Tags: Cell Phone Safety, Cyber Safety, Cyberbullying, Internet Safety, Parenting, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sexting, Sue Scheff, Teen Issues, Texting
Sue Scheff: Think before you click send – Have you ever recevied a “Nasty-Gram?”
by Sue Scheff on Feb 20, 2010
It is more likely than not that you have typed an email filled with anger and hit send before thinking about the consequences. It is even likely you have received an email that hurt your feelings and was simply ugly.
Emails fly through the day and through the night. Once you hit send, it could be the end of a friendship, job, relationship, or even marriage. Have you reviewed your email and thought about who will be seeing it? Who will be reading it? Or if it ends up as an exhibit in a court of law, will it come back to haunt you?
We can learn to maintain our stress level through breathing exercises or even counting to a hundred. It would benefit you if you are angry, upset, or have to deliver not so good news, to think twice before hitting send. Put that email in your drafts, think on it for twenty-four hours.
Like with bullying, these emails can have lasting emotional affects on the person receiving it. Is that your intent? If so, you truly need to step back from the keypad or mouse and re-evaluate this situation.
Teens and kids don’t always think before they hit send. Take the time to teach your children about the liabilities of sending “nasty-grams“. What you post or send today, may come back to haunt you tomorrow.
Think twice before you launch that email!
Read more on Examiner.
Tags: Cyber Safety, Cyberbullying, Internet Safety, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Teen Issues
Sue Scheff: Survey Shows Parents Still Less Concerned About Cyberbullying Than Other Online Threats
by Sue Scheff on Dec 01, 2009
ReputationDefender/MyChild is an excellent resource to help keep your kids safe online. Recently they posted on their Blog about a new survey that suggests parents not as concerned about cyberbullying as they are with other online threats. Read more and learn how you can be proactive in keeping your kids safe in cyberspace.According to Dr. Matthew Davis, who organized the study,
Because kids and teens are so tuned in online, there is little disconnect from their time at school to their time at home. In some ways, this is good. Studies have shown that social networking websites help maintain stronger peripheral relationships over long periods of time, allowing for a more robust and useful social circle.
Tags: Cyber Safety, Cyberbullying, Internet Safety, Michael Fertik, Online Safety, Parenting Blogs, Parents Universal Resource Experts, ReputationDefender MyChild, Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff: ReputationDefender Expands with NameGrab – Own Your Identity!
by Sue Scheff on Nov 16, 2009
Many of my readers know I am probably one of ReputationDefender’s largest fans. If you have read my recent book, Google Bomb, you will completely understand why.
Back in 2003 I was attacked viciously online. Slime balls of lies, twisted truths and much more. In 2006 I won a landmark case with a jury verdict for damages of over $11M! The jury sent a very clear and strong message – free speech does not condone defamation. Be careful what you post online, it may not only haunt you later, it could cost you a bundle.
After my court room victory, I felt vindicated and like a new person. However what I didn’t realize is that all that ugly stuff online still existed.
My next call-out was to Michael Fertik, CEO and Founder of what was, back in 2006, a small new company. He assured me he could help me with my virtual image. As promised, within a few months, I was back to myself both emotionally and virtually.
Since then, I have recommended these services to many people. I receive hundreds of emails of people that are being harmed online. ReputationDefender has grown from the few people I remember, to an entire staff of caring and dedicated people that are there to help you manage your online reputation.
For the record: I am not a spokesperson or sponsor of ReputationDefender. I do not participate in their referral affiliate program and I have never received any gifts or money from them. I am simply a very satisfied client.
Today they announced their latest service, NameGrab. Here is their recent press release. I am confident this is another fantastic asset to their growing and successful business. Read on!
ReputationDefender Launches Online Identity Management Service
NameGrab Allows Users to Control and Protect Their Names Across the Web, Dominate Search Results and Promote Their Personal Brands Online
REDWOOD CITY, CA–(Marketwire – November 16, 2009) – ReputationDefender, the leading comprehensive online reputation and privacy management company, today introduced NameGrab, a new service that allows users to control their online identities and promote their personal brands online. NameGrab’s proprietary technology automates the process of reserving your name across hundreds of social networking sites, thus ensuring both that search results produce the ‘real you’ and that your personal brand is accurately reflected online.
In today’s search-dominated world, your high-quality online identity has never been more crucial. NameGrab provides the tools to help you proactively secure that identity by claiming the most important social profiles on the Web on your behalf. Using NameGrab’s innovative technology, you can now:
– Control and protect your name across the Web;
– Own your name on hundreds of social networking sites, including
Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter;
– Prevent imposters from posing as you online;
– Dominate search results for your name; and
– Ensure that people find the real you.
“It’s impossible to overstate the importance of protecting your good name on the Internet. By gaining control over your brand and image across social networking sites, you can ensure that friends, colleagues and potential customers using these powerful online properties can easily find the real you and not someone else,” said Michael Fertik, CEO and founder of ReputationDefender. “NameGrab is ideal for anyone with a presence online — new college graduates, job hunters, entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers and realtors who use the Web for new client leads. NameGrab is the only service that makes reserving and managing your name across social networking sites truly effortless — ultimately putting control of your name back in your own hands, where it belongs.”
NameGrab is also available for businesses looking to improve customer connectivity and efficiently manage their online footprints. NameGrab provides access to all registered usernames and passwords within one convenient, secure location, limiting excess email, and allowing users to easily manage which profiles need content and be alerted to the latest social networks and new profile availability. For more information on NameGrab, please visit: http://www.namegrab.com
About ReputationDefender
ReputationDefender is the world’s only comprehensive online reputation and privacy management company. Through its suite of services, including MyReputation(SM), MyEdge(SM), MyChild(SM), and MyPrivacy(SM), ReputationDefender helps its customers manage and protect their online information. ReputationDefender also helps customers promote themselves and their businesses online. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, ReputationDefender serves customers in over 40 countries and has been featured in Washington Post and Forbes cover stories, Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
Follow ReputationDefender on Twitter @RepDef
Visit ReputationDefenderBlog and get involved with the conversation and chatter!
Tags: Cyber Safety, Cyberbullying, Google Bomb Book, Internet Defamation, Internet Gossip, Internet Slander, Michael Fertik, NameGrab, Online Safety, Parenting Resources, ReputationDefender, Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff: Internet Safety and your Teens
by Sue Scheff on Nov 16, 2009
One of today’s largest challenges for parents keeping up with their kids technology. Whether you have teen that is wandering through areas of the web they shouldn’t be, or kids that are landing in chatrooms that are extremely risky, as a parent you need to be ten steps ahead of them.
Here are some great articles, tips, resources and more to help you be informed about parenting in the digital age.
Internet Safety and Guidance Counselors
Click here to learn more about the author.
Also on Examiner.com
Tags: Cyber Safety, Cyberbullying, Internet Safety, Online Safety, Parenting, Parenting Teens, Parenting Teens Online, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff: Kids Are Heroes Day 2009
by Sue Scheff on Oct 24, 2009
Today is a big day in Frederick, Maryland at the Francis Scott Key Mall. It is Kids are Heroes Day 2009!
It is all about kids giving, helping and reaching out to others. Kids helping kids, and paying it forward.
I just received a picture of one of their heroes, Cati Grant. Cati was recently named Teen Ambassador for Love Our Children USA and works diligently to be a voice against cyberbullying and bullying with STOMPOUTBULLYING. She traveled with her mother from San Diego, California to New York City (where she spoke to Fox News about bullying) and then flew to Maryland to attend this fantastic and rewarding event. Follow Cati on Twitter and visit her website at www.CatiCares.com.
If you are in the area, stop by and meet these inspiring kids and teens that are making a difference in many lives. With all the bad news always consuming our airwaves, it is nice to read all the goodness that is out there!
Learn more about Kids are Heroes at www.KidsAreHeroes.com and take the time send them a shout out! Follow them on Twitter at @KidsAreHeroes and on Facebook.
Cati Grant, made her debut on Fox News and we are so proud of her. Here she is getting ready to discuss bullying and cyberbullying! I hope more people and especially teens follow Cati’s mission to stomp out bullying! Follow Cati on Twitter @CatiCares
Tags: Bullying, Cati Grant, Cyberbullying, Kids are Heroes, Love our Children USA, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Stomp Out Bullying, Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff: What do kids do Online?
by Sue Scheff on Oct 20, 2009
During National Cyber Safety Awareness Month, I am adding some great articles from a variety of different websites. School Family, which offers a vast amount of information for you and your child regarding education, teachers, activities and more, have included an excellent article about Cyber Safety.
Source: School Family
How do your children use the internet? Here’s what you should know about six common activities kids do online.
As the first generation of Internet parents, we’re at the bottom of a learning curve that seems to grow steeper with each new application and digital device. It’s tempting to try to keep our kids away from the computer. After all, what we don’t know could hurt them. But the Internet offers many benefits, educational as well as social.
We can help our children take advantage of the best the Internet has to offer by showing them how to make smart decisions both online and off. To do that, we must keep pace with technology. The best way is to step into our children’s online world. Here are six key ways kids use the Internet and what you should know about each one.
1. Learning Online
The Internet is often the first (and only) stop for students who have a project to research or a question they want answered. Children as young as kindergarten age may use the Internet to do simple web searches or to find a book in the school library’s online catalog.
As students advance through the grades, school assignments may include emailing book authors or experts in subjects they’re studying. They’ll be expected to research topics and write reports using online resources, including text, images, and videos.
Your child’s school should teach students to avoid plagiarism as well as how to distinguish between good information and bad. You can reinforce these lessons at home. Use child-safe search engines, for example. And focus on results from trusted resources, such as the websites of established organizations and well-known newspapers and magazines. Show your child how to put her findings into her own words and to cite the sources she uses.
2. Visiting Virtual Worlds
Children of all ages are drawn to virtual worlds where they can customize and control their own characters (called “avatars”), play games, interact with other players, enter contests, and shop using virtual money. Virtual worlds are so popular with kids that there are 200 such sites already live or being planned, according to media company Virtual Worlds Management. Some of these have strong educational components, challenging players with learning games and encouraging social and civic responsibility. Others focus more heavily on consumer opportunities, encouraging users to win or earn money to buy virtual items for their avatars.
Ask your child for a tour of her favorite virtual worlds. Check out the privacy features and parental controls. Some sites allow users to chat but block certain information, such as email addresses or telephone numbers. Others allow users to interact only through prewritten phrases. Steer your child toward virtual worlds that promote values similar to your own.
3. Social Networking
Social networking sites are the online equivalent of hanging out with friends. They allow users to stay in touch through instant messaging, posting public messages to one another’s profiles, sharing photos and videos, playing online games, sending virtual gifts, and much more. Privacy settings allow users to restrict who can view their profiles.
Some social networking sites cater to younger children, though the most popular, Facebook and MySpace, require users to be 13 or older. However, neither site has a way to verify the ages of users and preteens might open accounts by misstating their age.
The best way to learn about social networking is to create your own profile and play with the different applications. If your child has an account, add him to your list of friends so you can view one another’s profiles and see who else is on your child’s list of friends. These lists can easily grow into the hundreds as users give access to friends of friends. A good rule of thumb is that only people your child has met in person should have access to her social networking profile.
4. Staying in Touch With Friends
Once children reach their preteen and teenage years, texting and instant messaging through computers, cell phones, and other mobile devices become their preferred means of communication. And they’re not limited to the written word. Kids use camera-equipped cell phones, digital cameras, and webcams to send images of themselves to friends. While this can be a fun and creative way to share their lives, it’s important to remind your child that he’ll lose control of his message or image as soon as he sends it out. Many have learned this the hard way when a text or picture they meant for only one friend to see appeared on the cell phones and computer screens of all their classmates.
5. Posting and Viewing Videos
Video-sharing sites are incredibly popular with kids. Children log on to see the funny homemade video the other kids are talking about; to watch their favorite soccer player score a winning goal; even to learn how to tie a slip knot. With a free account, users can also create and post their own videos and give and receive feedback.
With access to millions of videos comes the risk that your child will stumble upon something disturbing or inappropriate. The video-sharing site YouTube has a policy against sexually explicit content and hate speech, but it relies on users to flag content as objectionable. Sit down with your child when she logs onto video-sharing sites so you can guide her choices. Tell her that if you’re not with her and she sees something upsetting, she should get you. Reassure her that you won’t be angry and you won’t punish her. But it’s important that you know what she sees so you can figure out together what to do about it.
6. Playing Games
Certain game consoles, such as Xbox Live, allow players to interact online through text messaging or voice chat using a headset. If your child plays online games, set a rule that he play only with people he knows in person. And make sure he knows that if he sees anything that makes him feel uncomfortable, he should stop playing and tell you immediately.
As your child grows and digital technology evolves, keep the lines of communication open. Show that you’re interested in her online life. But don’t worry if you’re always a few steps behind. Because as a parent your job isn’t to hold your child’s hand every step of the way. It’s to prepare her to one day go out into the world without you. Both online and off.
Follow School Family on Twitter.
Tags: Cyber Safety, Cyberbullying, Internet Safety, Online Safety, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, School Family, Sue Scheff, Teen Help
Sue Scheff: Chat Room Safety for Your Teens
by Sue Scheff on Oct 15, 2009
Does your child, teen or do you venture into “Chat Rooms” online? Chat rooms are among the riskiest places on the Net for children and teens. Most Internet Predators are lingering waiting for their next victim in a variety of chat rooms. Don’t allow it to be your child.
As a Parent Advocate, I encourage all parents to take the steps to educate your children about cyber safety with a strong emphasis on chat room safety. October is National Cyber Safety Awareness Month, which is a reason for you to set aside time to sit with your kids and discuss what lurks online.
Here are some great Chat Room safety tips from Connect Safely to share with your family:
Remember that what you say in a chat room or instant messaging session is live — you can’t take it back or delete it later.
Don’t say anything you wouldn’t want the public to know — this includes your full name, your address, phone number of other personal information.
Don’t get together with someone you meet in a chat room. If you must, meet in a public place and bring along some friends.
Don’t reveal your actual location or when and where you plan to hang out.
Choose a nickname that’s not sexually suggestive and doesn’t give away your real name.
If someone says or does something creepy, block them and don’t respond.
Just sign out if the topic turns to sex. That can often lead somewhere you don’t want to go.
For more info: Connect Safely,iKeepSafe, ReputationDefender/MyChild, Google Bomb Book, Love Our Children USA, Cati Cares.
Also read on Examiner.com
Tags: Chat rooms, Cyber Safety, Cyberbullying, Internet Predators, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parenting Teens Online, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Teen Chat rooms
Sue Scheff: Internet things your child should never know
by Sue Scheff on Oct 03, 2009
October is National Cyber Safety Awareness Month.
It is a perfect time to review some great tips for parents, teens, kids, small business owners and everyone. The Internet today is our new information highway.
It is important that we are educated on the power of the Internet as well as the pitfalls of it. The World Wide Web has been considered an educational tool, however like with many things in life; there can be a dark side.
Take the time to become aware of tips to keep you and your family safe in cyberspace.
I will be bringing tips through this month from different sources; all are targeted to helping you be more secure while online.
Here is some advice from Nurse Practitioner Schools:
Internet Things Your Child Should Never Know
Strangers online are okay. Remind them that a stranger on the internet should be treated like a stranger in real life. If ignoring them doesn’t work, they should tell a parent. Check out NetSmartz for more.
Posting a picture is okay in certain situations. Even an innocent looking picture, once it is out there, can be changed to do all sorts of damage. Encourage your child to post a picture of themselves as a favorite cartoon character as a safe and fun option.
It’s okay to chat with other children online. Because anyone can pose as anyone else on the internet, chatting and other activities still fall under the no stranger rules. If you’re child does chat, make sure you know who they are chatting to both online and in person.
What type of monitoring software you use. If they can Google it, chances are a savvy child will be able to find out how to disable it. Keep software boxes and receipts out of sight so the child cannot find out that way, either.
If they are being monitored. Children who know they are being monitored may wait until they have access to another computer to do the stuff they know they shouldn’t be doing. If you catch your child doing something you don’t approve of, talk with them instead of blowing up at them.
Your passwords. Because adults often use the same passwords for different sites, telling your child even one password can open the door to them accessing every online account you have. If you have a family account on a site such as Flickr, have the whole family come up with a password together.
More advice and tips will be coming soon. Don’t miss this month of Cyber Safety Awareness. Keep in mind, an educated parent is a prepared parent which leads to safer children.
Tags: Cyber Safety, Cyberbullying, Internet Law, Internet Safety, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Teens Online, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff: Online Fools – Be an Educated Parent in Cyberspace
by Sue Scheff on Oct 02, 2009
A new study finds that what kids do online and what parents think they’re doing are not always the same… During National Cyber Safety Awareness Month it is time for parents to take the time to find out about what their kids are doing online. Where do they visit, surf and chat with? Are they posting on YouTube? Do they understand the consequences when it comes to college application and job applications? Most are using Search Engines to research their potential candidates. Your kids/teens need to understand, what they post today can haunt them tomorrow! Teach them – educate yourself and become proactive online parenting!
Source: Connect with Kids
Online Fools
“With 70-thousand videos a day being uploaded to YouTube, it’s kind of hard to stand out. So the kids find they have to keep pushing the envelope – to do something more outrageous – to be able to get attention from that.”
– Steve Harmon, Chair, Division of Learning Technologies, Georgia State University
A new study finds that what kids do online and what parents think they’re doing are not always the same. One example: 29 percent of parents say their kids make fun of teachers online, but almost twice that many kids say they complain and ridicule teachers.
For instance, teacher baiting: students pick a fight with a teacher and record it on their cell phones. The video is then posted to the Internet.
In one such video, a clearly enraged male teacher screams, “When I tell you to stop talking, that means stop whistling and stop acting like an idiot!!”
Kids today are using their cell phones to record all kinds of pranks.
“I remember one time in the wrestling room actually, doing a little exercise that was kind of weird- and somebody actually videotaped it and put it on YouTube. So yeah, that was kind of embarrassing,” says Nathaniel, 18.
On sites like You Tube and eBaum’s World there are videos of heinous wrecks, intentional and otherwise. One boy shoots himself in the face with a paintball gun. Another wipes out after attempting a huge jump on his bike.
Underage drinking is also a popular theme. “I’m going to chug a pint of Jack Daniels out of this here beer bong,” announces a boy who’s made a home video from his college dorm room.
Many kids will try anything to become famous on video-sharing websites.
“With 70-thousand videos a day being uploaded to YouTube, it’s kind of hard to stand out,” says Steve Harmon, the Chair of the Division of Learning Technologies at Georgia State University. “So the kids find they have to keep pushing the envelope – to do something more outrageous – to be able to get attention from that.”
He says parents should remind kids that, besides their friends, teachers, employers and college admissions staff might watch their videos.
“Kids don’t have a good sense that what they put on YouTube is public,” says Harmon. “They feel like they are alone in their room with a computer – and so whatever they upload is private.”
And for kids who think they can post embarrassing video of others and remain anonymous?
“It’s really pretty easy to track down who loaded something up to YouTube if you have any sort of sophisticated search mechanism,” explains Harmon, “And even worse than that, though – kids like to talk about what other kids are doing. So in a local setting, even though the kid thinks what they’ve put online is known only to them and their closest friends, all the other kids know about it – and they are going to tell.”
Tips for Parents
The vast majority of teens spend time online. According to a recent Harris Interactive Poll, 72 percent of teens have an online social-networking profile, 73 percent use cell phones and 91 percent have an email address. But what information are they sharing? Consider these statistics:
- 59 percent say posting personal information or photos on public blogs or social-networking sites is “somewhat unsafe” or “very unsafe.”
- 7 percent say posting personal information is “very safe.”
- 34 percent say it’s “somewhat safe.”
- 62 percent say they post photos of themselves.
- 45 percent post the name of their school.
- 4 percent post their address.
- 14 percent post their cell phone number.
Experts say make sure your kids never use their real name or address when posting any material on the Internet. Avoid posting information that would allow a stranger to locate your child. This includes the name of a school or sports team. Also, avoid revealing the city where you live.
Before you buy a video camera, web cam or video phone for your child, take their level of maturity into account. Some children may be too immature to understand the risks involved in posting videos or pictures online. Steve Harmon of Georgia State University also advises it would be difficult to search the web to figure out if your child is posting videos online. There is simply too much content on video-sharing websites. It’s much more productive to talk to your child. Explain the potential downside of posting embarrassing videos online and make sure your kids understand that they lose exclusive control over videos once they are posted on the Internet.
References
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (Innocent Images National Initiative)
- Georgia State University
- Harris Interactive Poll
- i-SAFE America, Internet safety education group
- Wired Safety, an online safety, education and help group
For more on National Cyber Safety Awareness Month visit Examiner.com article.
Tags: Connect with Kids, Cyber Safety, Cyberbullying, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Teens, Parenting Teens Online, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Teen Help
