Cyber Responsibility

With all the cases of teens being held accountable for committing crimes in cyberspace, we need to take charge and educate our kids about appropriate internet usage.  I used to hear that and think I understood but obviously we do not because there are alarming numbers of these cases popping up on the news.  Teens need to understand that they cannot send nude photos to their friends or forward a message containing nudity because that is distributing child pornography. Recently, in a city close to ours a young girl sent her friend an inappropriate photo. Her friend sent the message to several other students. Consequently, all students involved had charges filed against them including the young lady who took her own photo.  I doubt that she ever anticipated or thought about such consequences or intended such humiliation. Teens do not think about the magnitude of the Internet.  In addition, being on the internet means you have an online reputation that follows you. Privacy really does not exist if you put yourself out there. Hearing students talk about their own experiences with photos being passed around over the Internet makes me conclude that it occurs more often than we realize. Furthermore, as a parent I am increasingly aware of how easy it is for predators to get information and contact our kids. Trust me, they don't have to try to hard because our kids put way too much information out there and do not anticipate malicious intent on the part of those they encounter while surfing the net.

Take home message, education is our best offense. "For program leaders and for parents, teaching responsible online behavior is a gradual process involving supervision and communication. Leading the way can be challenging, because youth are so quick to pick up new skills online, and may not be open with their elders about their online activities" (Cyfernet). We need to begin this process now and keep our circle of communication open.  For a plethora (as my father-in-law often says) of valuable information visit the following to sites: http://m.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-parents/internet-safety-tips-high-school-kids and http://m.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-parents/internet-safety-tips-high-school-kids