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Introduction…Introduction… 73% of us use the internet regularly.73% of us use the internet regularly. It lets you keep in touch with friends and It lets you keep in touch with friends and

family and provides an enormous amount of family and provides an enormous amount of information. information.

If you’re a teen, we probably don’t need to sell If you’re a teen, we probably don’t need to sell you on the benefits of the Internet. Many of you on the benefits of the Internet. Many of you know far more than your parents or even you know far more than your parents or even teachers about the wonders of cyberspace. teachers about the wonders of cyberspace.

If you’re a parent, talk to your children about If you’re a parent, talk to your children about “the Net” and — if you need to learn more — “the Net” and — if you need to learn more — see if they can help you. see if they can help you.

It’s important for teens and parents to share It’s important for teens and parents to share knowledge. You have something to learn from knowledge. You have something to learn from each other — if not about the Internet, then each other — if not about the Internet, then about life in general, how to make good about life in general, how to make good decisions, and how to look at information decisions, and how to look at information critically.critically.  http://www.safeteens.com/safeteens.htm

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Cyberspace is like a big city. There are libraries, universities, Cyberspace is like a big city. There are libraries, universities, museums, places to have fun, and plenty of opportunities museums, places to have fun, and plenty of opportunities to meet wonderful people from all walks of life. But, like any to meet wonderful people from all walks of life. But, like any community, there are also some people and areas that you community, there are also some people and areas that you ought to avoid and others that you should approach only ought to avoid and others that you should approach only with caution.with caution.

By knowing the dangers and how to avoid them, you can take By knowing the dangers and how to avoid them, you can take advantage of all the positive aspects of the Internet while advantage of all the positive aspects of the Internet while avoiding most of its pitfalls. If you’re a teen, or a parent of a avoiding most of its pitfalls. If you’re a teen, or a parent of a teenager, you might feel that you don’t need the same teenager, you might feel that you don’t need the same restrictions and controls as younger kids. You may be right, restrictions and controls as younger kids. You may be right, but just because you’re older doesn’t mean that you’re out but just because you’re older doesn’t mean that you’re out of danger. Teenagers are actually more likely to get into of danger. Teenagers are actually more likely to get into trouble online than younger children. Teens are more likely trouble online than younger children. Teens are more likely to explore out-of-the-way areas of cyberspace; they’re more to explore out-of-the-way areas of cyberspace; they’re more likely to reach out to people outside of their immediate peer likely to reach out to people outside of their immediate peer groups; and, sadly, they’re more often preyed upon as groups; and, sadly, they’re more often preyed upon as victims by child molesters and other exploiters.victims by child molesters and other exploiters.

http://www.safeteens.com/safeteens.htm

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A federal law has been created to help kids while they are using the A federal law has been created to help kids while they are using the Internet. It is designed to keep anyone from obtaining kids' personal Internet. It is designed to keep anyone from obtaining kids' personal information without you knowing about it and agreeing to it first.information without you knowing about it and agreeing to it first.The The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires websites to requires websites to

explain their privacy policies on the site and get parents' consent before explain their privacy policies on the site and get parents' consent before collecting or using a child's personal information, such as a name, address, collecting or using a child's personal information, such as a name, address, phone number, or social security number. The law also prohibits a site from phone number, or social security number. The law also prohibits a site from

requiring a child to provide more personal information than necessary to play a requiring a child to provide more personal information than necessary to play a game or contest.game or contest.

ACTIVITY: ACTIVITY: Use your Exit Card to record responses as needed.Use your Exit Card to record responses as needed. Log onto Log onto www.Google.comwww.Google.com Search COPPA or Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (you may Search COPPA or Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (you may

copy and paste from here. copy and paste from here. What kind of information do you find? Summarize the first three What kind of information do you find? Summarize the first three

hits.hits. Respond BREIFLY to the following two questions.Respond BREIFLY to the following two questions.

Why do teens such as yourself need protection like COPPA?Why do teens such as yourself need protection like COPPA? Think. Why do teens feel it is “fun” or “cool” to do things on Think. Why do teens feel it is “fun” or “cool” to do things on

the net they know they shouldn’t?the net they know they shouldn’t?

(http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/net_safety.html)

WHAT WHAT

YOU NEED TO KNOWYOU NEED TO KNOW

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The BasicsThe Basics

• Online danger seems like an easy thing to avoid….however you need to remember that there are predators looking for opportunities…

The following slides are BASIC tips for The following slides are BASIC tips for teens to follow…teens to follow…

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• 1. Keep Your Identity Private1. Keep Your Identity Private  If you’re in any type of public forum, avoid giving out your full name, your mailing If you’re in any type of public forum, avoid giving out your full name, your mailing address, your telephone number, the name of your school, or any other information address, your telephone number, the name of your school, or any other information that could help someone determine your actual identity. The same applies to your that could help someone determine your actual identity. The same applies to your family and friends. Never reveal anything about other people that could possibly get family and friends. Never reveal anything about other people that could possibly get them into trouble.them into trouble.

•   2. Never Get Together with Someone You “Meet” Online2. Never Get Together with Someone You “Meet” Online  The biggest danger to your safety is if you get together with someone you “meet” The biggest danger to your safety is if you get together with someone you “meet” online. Remember, you never know for certain if people you meet online are who they online. Remember, you never know for certain if people you meet online are who they say they are. If you do feel it’s appropriate to meet with someone, discuss it with your say they are. If you do feel it’s appropriate to meet with someone, discuss it with your parents and never go to the meeting by yourself. Arrange to meet in a public place parents and never go to the meeting by yourself. Arrange to meet in a public place like a coffee shop or mall that you, not just the other person, are familiar and like a coffee shop or mall that you, not just the other person, are familiar and comfortable with, and never go alone. The safest procedure is to have your parents comfortable with, and never go alone. The safest procedure is to have your parents talk with the parents of the other person and for both of you to bring your parents talk with the parents of the other person and for both of you to bring your parents along on the first meeting.along on the first meeting.

RESPOND: What do you use the internet for? Does it support the values my parents have taught me? Can I be honest with an adult about how I use the internet?

(http://www.safeteens.com/teenrules.htm)

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3.  Never Respond To E-Mail, Chat Comments, Instant Messages Or Other Messages That Are Hostile, Belligerent, Inappropriate Or In Any Way Make You Feel UncomfortableIt isn’t your fault if you get a message that is mean or in any way makes you feel uncomfortable. If you get such a message, don’t respond. Instead, show it to your parents or a trusted adult to see if there is anything you can do to make it stop. Sending a response just encourages the person.

 4. Talk with your Parents About Their Expectations and Ground Rules for Going OnlineIt’s important that you and your parents are on the same “channel” when it comes to your online activities. This includes when you can go online, how long you can stay online, and what activities you can do online. Communicating with your parents doesn’t mean that you have to give up your privacy. It just means that you come to an agreement based on mutual trust and understanding. While you’re at it, perhaps you can help your parents better understand the Internet, what it can be used for, and how it is helpful for teens.

(http://www.safeteens.com/teenrules.htm)

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Think and Respond…Think and Respond…

Why are ground rules at home a good Why are ground rules at home a good idea when dealing with the internet?idea when dealing with the internet?

Why is it important that mom and dad Why is it important that mom and dad know what you are doing while on the know what you are doing while on the internet?internet?

List 3 productive ground rules that would List 3 productive ground rules that would help teach you how to be responsible help teach you how to be responsible while using the internet.while using the internet.

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Involve Mom & Dad!Involve Mom & Dad!Getting Involved in Your Teen's Online ActivitiesGetting Involved in Your Teen's Online ActivitiesAside from these tools, it's a good idea to take an active role in Aside from these tools, it's a good idea to take an active role in protecting your child from Internet predators and sexually explicit protecting your child from Internet predators and sexually explicit materials that are online. Here are some steps that can help you do materials that are online. Here are some steps that can help you do that:that:• Become computer literate and learn how to block objectionable Become computer literate and learn how to block objectionable

material.material. • Keep the computer in a common area• Share an email account with your child so you can monitor Share an email account with your child so you can monitor

messages.messages. • Bookmark your child's favorite sites for easy access. • Spend time online together to teach your child appropriate Spend time online together to teach your child appropriate

online behavior.online behavior.

Respond – Does your mom or dad check up on your internet usage? How will you involve them more?

http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/net_safety.html

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Involve Mom & Dad!Involve Mom & Dad!• Forbid your child from entering private chat rooms; block them with Forbid your child from entering private chat rooms; block them with

safety features provided by your Internet service provider or with safety features provided by your Internet service provider or with special filtering software. Be aware that posting messages to chat special filtering software. Be aware that posting messages to chat rooms reveals your child's email address to others.rooms reveals your child's email address to others.

• Monitor your credit card and phone bills for unfamiliar account charges.

• Find out what, if any, online protection is offered by your child's Find out what, if any, online protection is offered by your child's school, after-school center, friends' homes, or any place where he or school, after-school center, friends' homes, or any place where he or she could use a computer without your supervision. she could use a computer without your supervision.

• Take your child seriously if he or she reports an uncomfortable online exchange.

• Forward copies of obscene or threatening messages you or your child Forward copies of obscene or threatening messages you or your child receives to your Internet service provider (ISP).receives to your Internet service provider (ISP).

• Call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800) (800) 843-5678843-5678 if you are aware of the transmission, use, or viewing of bad child pictures online. Contact your local law enforcement agency or the FBI if your child has received bad child pictures via the Internet.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/net_safety.html

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Involve Mom & Dad!Involve Mom & Dad!Many sites use "cookies," devices that track specific information about Many sites use "cookies," devices that track specific information about the user, such as name, email address, and shopping preferences. the user, such as name, email address, and shopping preferences. Cookies can be disabled. Ask your ISP for more information. It's also good idea to Cookies can be disabled. Ask your ISP for more information. It's also good idea to

set up some simple rules for your kids to follow while they're using the Internet. set up some simple rules for your kids to follow while they're using the Internet. These rules may include:These rules may include:

• Follow the rules you set, as well as those set by your Internet service provider. Follow the rules you set, as well as those set by your Internet service provider. • Never trade personal photographs in the mail or scanned photographs over the Never trade personal photographs in the mail or scanned photographs over the

Internet.Internet. • Never reveal personal information, such as address, phone number, or school Never reveal personal information, such as address, phone number, or school

name or location. Use only a screen name. Never agree to meet anyone from a name or location. Use only a screen name. Never agree to meet anyone from a chat room in person. chat room in person.

• Never respond to a threatening email or message. Never respond to a threatening email or message. • Always tell a parent about any communication or conversation that was scary. Always tell a parent about any communication or conversation that was scary. • If your child has a new "friend," insist on being "introduced" online to that If your child has a new "friend," insist on being "introduced" online to that

friend. friend.

RESPONDRESPOND: Would you support your mom & dad using Internet monitoring : Would you support your mom & dad using Internet monitoring software? For next class – those who can – go online with mom or dad and “shop” software? For next class – those who can – go online with mom or dad and “shop” for an internet monitoring program. Bring the names of three programs back to class for an internet monitoring program. Bring the names of three programs back to class and a parent signature in your planner as proof you completed the task.and a parent signature in your planner as proof you completed the task.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/net_safety.html

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Media and TV Today’s average Teen gets about 40 hours of SCREEN time each week. (tv, internet & video

games) That is up from 25 hours in 1990. RESPOND: Is this a good or bad development?

2 side effects have developed from this trend: a major contribution to the obesity & diabetic epidemics (up 51% in the past decade) & it takes away time teens could spend with family, friends or engaging in some sort of physical activity (down 13% in the past decade). RESPOND: Could you cut down on your screen time? Think and record one strategy

you will try. Believe it – your BRAIN is affected by video games. Part of your brain needs your body to

exercise. The more screen time you get the less exercise you get and your body will find it harder to benefit from physical activity.

RESPOND: How would this type of problem affect the body Lets talk strategies. Turn to your neighbor to your right. You have 2 minutes to come up with 3

strategies to limit your screen time and at the same time make the most out of the time you do have to become computer literate. Respond on your exit card. Limit answers to only a few words. You may use the internet. Try Children + TV.

Walsh, David, Ph.D, Why Do They Act That Way, New York, NY, 2004

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Media & Teen Attitudes

Think about the last time you watched prime-time TV (TV between 7 & 10 at night). What was the content of the programming?

– RESPOND in 1 or 2 words on your exit card. Think about the last time you played video games. What was the content of the video

game you were playing? (Violent, family oriented, sports, etc.) – RESPOND in 1word on your exit card.

Programming plays a major role in the choices teens make. The tobacco companies specifically target teens. A teen is much more likely to get addicted to their product than an adult. Think. What does that mean for that tobacco company?

The most important influence today is media violence.– The average teen will witness 200,000 acts of violence before he or she graduates from high

school. 20,000 of those are murders.– Think about the nature of some of the more popular video games, movies, and prime time tv shows.

Think about bullying in school… Do you agree or disagree with the following statement. This exposure has created a

culture of disrespect in today’s youth. RESPOND in 2 or 3 sentences on your exit card. Brain scans show that violence in video games increases the levels of aggressive

hormones & adrenaline & lessens the use of the Prefrontal Cortex of your brain – the center for reason & logical thought. In fact the more your exposed the less the PFC works.

Walsh, David, Ph.D, Why Do They Act That Way, New York, NY, 2004

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Managing Media The internet plays a role in this as well. Think about all the different types of content

available on the web. The issue here is how can we agree with mom & dad on how to manage our screen time?

Here are some helpful starters: Keep computers and tvs out of bedrooms & in common family areas Turn the tv off during family meals. Pay attention to media ratings and follow them Designate family time to watch family oriented programming Have parents use the parental controls on your tv Invest in internet monitoring software Set up a study schedule that designates time for school, time for the “screen”, and time

for family Talk openly with mom & dad about what you want and listen to them about what they will

allow. YOUR TASK – Record in your assignment book.

Develop a Media Plan at home with your guardian. You must have a detailed list of a minimum of 5 agreed upon household rules in

relation to the TV, computer/internet, & video games. You may simply hand write this out numbered 1 through 5. You may type it out

as well. You and your guardian will need to sign it. It should be posted in a family area. Please bring a copy of it into class signed by both you and your parents. Online Reference: http://sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl/time.mgt.schedules.html

Walsh, David, Ph.D, Why Do They Act That Way, New York, NY, 2004

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Pause and Ponder this statement…

If you believe that Sesame Street taught your four-year-old something, then

you’d better believe that MTV is teaching your fourteen-year-old

something.

RESPOND: Why is it a good idea for me to understand the

effects of what I watch, play, or click on?

Walsh, David, Ph.D, Why Do They Act That Way, New York, NY, 2004