Cyberspace Bully
by Crystal Torres & Stephanie Tabb
January 11, 2008
Parents and guardians
Communication is an effective tool for parents and guardians when helping their children avoid the dangers that exist on the Internet. NetSmartz provides on- and offline learning activities for parents to facilitate discussions with their children and teens about Internet safety. Visit "Parent FAQ" to learn more about how and why parents should use NetSmartz.
NetSmartz Safety Presentations
NetSmartz has developed Internet safety presentations for use with children of all ages and adults. Educate parents and communities with slides detailing online risks, statistics, resources, and tips for keeping children safer online. Encourage tweens and teens to examine their online behavior and take steps to prevent victimization of themselves and others. Teach younger children what to watch out for on the Internet and how to avoid these risks.
NetSmartz Safety Presentations
NetSmartz has developed Internet safety presentations for use
with children of all ages and adults. Educate parents and
communities with slides detailing online risks, statistics,
resources, and tips for keeping children safer online. Encourage
tweens and teens to examine their online behavior and take steps to
prevent victimization of themselves and others. Teach younger
children what to watch out for on the Internet and how to avoid
these risks.
Educate Parents & Communities
- Details of online risks
- Tips for keeping children safer online
- Statistics, resources, and more
Encourage Tweens & Teens
- Examine their own online behavior
- Take steps to prevent the victimization of themselves and others
Teach Younger Children
- What to watch out for on the internet
- How to avoid risks
Dr. Sharon
Developmental pediatrician Dr. Sharon Cooper teaches parents and guardians how to help protect children from victimization.
Ask Dr. Sharon
Click the link for each topic to watch the video.
Introduction
Who is Dr. Sharon Cooper? How has technology changed our lives?
Protection
Watch this video to get tips for protecting your children and teens online.
Child Development
Watch this video to learn more about your child's physical and emotional development.
Criminal Activity
Watch this video to learn about the types of criminal activities teens could become involved with and how to keep them from getting into trouble.
Compliant Victimization
Watch this video to learn about how offenders manipulate and "groom" children and how to protect your child from victimization.
Electronic Entertainment & Gaming
Watch this video to learn about the risks of electronic entertainment and gaming and how to set limits for your child.
Blogs, Bulletin Boards, and Bullying
Watch this video to learn how to talk to your children about the dangers of posting personal information online and how cyberbullying affects others.
Online Pornography
Watch this video to learn the effects pornography can have on children and how to report incidences of inappropriate material sent to your child or teen.
Normalization of Sexual Harm
Watch this video to learn about how sexual images in our society can have negative effects on our children.
Parent FAQ
Do you know who to contact if your child is asked to meet in person? Get suggestions for what to do if your child encounters a possibly dangerous situation online.
Do you know what to do if your children come to you about something that happened online? This page is designed to provide you with the answers to questions you may have about teaching your children to use their NetSmartz. Click on the topics below for suggestions.
Use your NetSmartz ...
- when someone wants to meet your child offline.
- when someone wants to know stuff about your child.
- if something makes your child feel uncomfortable.
- when someone is bullying your child over the Internet.
- if your child gets an e-mail from someone he or she doesn't know.
- if your child gives out his or her password by accident.
- if your child sees his or her personal information online.
- when your child is online all day long.
- when your child doesn't know what to do.
Use your NetSmartz when someone wants to meet your child offline.
As your children interact on the Internet, you need to be aware that they may be exposed to people who don’t have their best interests in mind. If your children ever tell you that someone has asked them to meet offline, find out as much as you can about the situation. Save any communication to your computer; if there is illegal activity, a record of the conversation can be powerful evidence in court. Report any of these types of incidents to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.com. Contact your local police department if you suspect your child is in immediate danger.
Your child will not always be contacted to meet offline by someone dangerous. If you are comfortable with the idea of your child meeting in person with another child he or she first met online, arrange it by contacting that child’s parents, and accompany your child to the meeting in a public place.
Always encourage your children to talk to you about their online experiences.
Use your NetSmartz when someone wants to know stuff about your child.
If your children give out personal information over the Internet, not only is it easy to track, it’s tough to completely remove. Emphasize to them how important it is that they keep personal information private. Make sure that they have a strong username and password that doesn’t reveal anything personal. Encourage them not to give out their e-mail address, if they have one. If your children tell you that they have given out personal information online, contact your Internet Service Provider or the site where the information is posted to see what you can do to have it removed.
To learn more, watch “Tracking Teresa.”
Use your NetSmartz if something makes your child feel uncomfortable.
There is a lot of material on the Internet that is inappropriate. You can use filtering software to protect your child from that material, but remember that filters do not guarantee that your child will not be exposed; a filter will never be a substitute for your presence.
- Monitor your child’s online behavior. Keep your family computer in a highly visible, common area, like the family room or the kitchen.
- Ask your children to show you what sites they go to, and be open and willing to discuss the inappropriate material they might come across. One of the main reasons that children do not report the inappropriate content they find online is fear of punishment from parents. If you let them know that it is not their fault if they come across an inappropriate site, they will be more willing to come to you when it happens.
- If your children ever show you a site that contains illegal behavior, such as pornographic images of children, contact your Internet Service Provider and the CyberTipline (www.cybertipline.com).
Use your NetSmartz when someone is bullying your child over the Internet.
This generation of Internet users is remarkably savvy as to how to use the technology for their own gain. The anonymity of the web makes it a perfect place to feed embarrassing and hurtful rumors and gossip. Online polling booths allow children to vote on the physical traits of other students; children can also take humiliating pictures or video of other children and post it to the web. As a parent, it can be overwhelming to wonder what you can do if your child ever becomes the target of cyberbullying.
- Emphasize to your children that they should never type back when someone is being aggressive or hurtful online. This can only make it worse.
- If someone is posting anything about your child online, especially personal information, it is important to contact your Internet Service Provider. Most likely your provider can have the information removed.
- Harassment is harassment, online or off. If someone is engaging in illegal activity involving your children, such as threatening their safety or exposing them to unnecessary danger, they may be in violation of the law. Keep any record you can find of this type of behavior and report it to local law enforcement.
Use your NetSmartz if your child gets an e-mail from someone he or she doesn't know.
If you are allowing your children to communicate with others online, be aware that they will be exposed to spam. The easiest way to avoid spam is to make sure that your children do not give out their personal information or e-mail address to anyone they do not know. Adjust the security settings on their e-mail account to filter or block unwanted messages. Encourage your children to delete any messages they get from anyone they don’t know.
Even when your children get e-mail or Instant Messages from people they know, make sure that they scan everything they are downloading onto the computer for viruses first. You can do this by making sure that you have your antivirus software up to date.
Use your NetSmartz if your child gives out his or her password by accident.
NetSmartz heavily emphasizes that children should ONLY share their password with a parent or guardian. If a child tells you that he or she has given out a password to someone other than you, ask the child which web sites he or she used the password for; if you go to the web sites, there should be a feature provided to allow you to change passwords. If you do not find such a feature, contact the web site directly to have the password changed. If you have trouble contacting the web site, contact your Internet Service Provider to assure that any personal information recorded on that web site is removed.
Use your NetSmartz if your child sees his or her personal information online.
Protecting your child’s personal information is paramount to protecting your child from the dangers that exist online. Make sure your children understand how important it is to keep their personal information private. Review with them what personal information is (name, age, address, name of school, photographs). If you or your child find personal information online, immediately contact your Internet Service Provider and ask that they have the information removed.
Use your NetSmartz when your child is online all day long.
The Internet can be a great place and no doubt your children are excited to be using it. Take the opportunity to set reasonable guidelines for Internet use and post them clearly near your computer; the NetSmartz Internet safety pledges are a good place to start. One way to help safeguard your children against many of the dangers of the Internet is to make sure they have other activities to participate in and other social outlets to turn to.
Use your NetSmartz when your child doesn't know what to do.
You are the greatest tool at your child’s disposal for staying safer online. When your children have questions or concerns about something that they find on the Internet, be open to listening and helping to find an answer. If you show them early on that you are a resource and support, they will be that much more likely to communicate with you when a real concern arises. If you don’t have the answer to something, take that as an opportunity to find a solution together.
Educators
“The technology that has so dramatically changed the world outside our schools is now changing the learning and teaching environment within them.” - National Education Technology Plan for the U.S. Department of Education
This page is designed to show educators and administrators how to use NetSmartz int eractive materials in their classrooms, accumulate more information about Internet safety and technology, and take steps to bring their classrooms into the 21st century.
How To Use NetSmartz
NetSmartz can be used online or downloaded onto a computer. If you download NetSmartz from your state or organization's web pages or install it using the CDs, you are using the downloadable versions. The downloadable NetSmartz Workshop versions run without Internet access and have the full-motion audio, video, and animation quality expected from a cartoon. These downloadable versions are available only to states or organizations that have an official partnership with NetSmartz and have housed these downloads on a local intranet or have been provided the installation CDs.
Initially the downloads will take some time; however, once NetSmartz has been downloaded onto a CD or a hard drive, there is instant access to the NetSmartz materials. Instructors can track children's progress by using the downloadable version. When children complete the NetSmartz safety program for their age group, a certificate and web license are printed and a report card is generated listing the scores for each activity and quiz. The computer tracks which activities the children have completed, and the report card, web license, and certificate are not printed until they have completed every activity and quiz.
At www.NetSmartz.org and www.NetSmartzKids.org, you have access to more games and activities that reinforce Internet safety and the NetSmartz characters.
Option 1: Group Activities
You can present the NetSmartz Internet safety program to an entire group of children at the same time by connecting a computer to an LCD projector or television monitor.
The activity cards include worksheets, discussion questions, art projects, writing activities, and cooperative learning techniques. The cards are designed to be easily adaptable and most take between 20 to 25 minutes of class time. You may choose to use just one activity card or incorporate several cards into a larger unit of time.
To use the downloaded programs in front of a group, log in as "teacher" for the first and last names. This unlocks a feature that allows you to go to any activity in any order. When children log in using their own log-in names, they must complete all activities in order.
Option 2: Individual Activities
Children complete computer activities through independent learning programs at their own pace on individual computers in a classroom or computer lab.
Each program has a series of interactive, age-appropriate activities that can be completed over a period of time. Children will spend approximately 5 to 10 minutes on each activity and can complete the self-running programs at their own pace. Once they create a login name, they must log in to the same computer with the same log-in name for the computer to track their progress and ensure that the activities are completed in order. If they exit in the middle of an activity, the computer will start them at the beginning of that activity the next time they log in. Upon completion, children will be prompted to print out a certificate and web license to show their instructor.
Option 3: Combination of Group and Individual Activities
Encourage children to complete the computer activities on their own and use the NetSmartz activity cards to emphasize concepts and skills that pertain to the specific needs of the child or group.
Option 4: Integrating NetSmartz into Existing Instruction
There are ways Internet safety concepts can be incorporated without formally teaching Internet safety as a separate topic.
- Many activities involve writing, roleplays, and art projects that are easily adapted to support educational requirements and standards.
- Teach activities as one component of a general safety unit.
- Use activities and programs to bridge technology and traditional educational strategies.
- Use the computer programs and activity cards as a bonus activity if children finish work early.
Activity Cards
Click on the titles below to print age-appropriate activity cards. These activity cards are related to the online activities and easy to implement with few extra materials. Printable handouts are included. Parents may want to skim through the activities to get ideas for discussing Internet safety with their children. Read "Introduction to Activity Cards" to learn more about using these activities with children. Supplemental materials are also provided for you, including visual aids and worksheets.
Las Cartas de Actividades en Español
Grade Level
National Education Standards
There are specific standards that the NetSmartz Workshop employs to help ensure that our resources correlate to standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Education. More information...
Grades K-2
•
Know the Rules: Check First
Students watch the "Know the Rules" rap video. They discuss checking first with a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult before going anywhere, helping anyone, accepting anything, getting into a car, or leaving with anyone. Students practice what was discussed through teacher-guided group skits.
•
Know the Rules: Take a Friend
Students watch the “Know the Rules” rap video and discuss the importance of taking a friend with them when going places or playing outside. They make booklets to remind them of situations when bringing a friend will keep them safer.
•
Know the Rules: Tell People 'NO'
Students watch the “Know the Rules” rap video and discuss what to do if someone tries to touch them in ways that make them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. Students discuss situations as a class, then practice saying “NO” in front of a mirror.
•
Know the Rules: Tell a Trusted Adult
Students watch the “Know the Rules” rap video. They discuss telling a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult if anything happens to them. Students post word cards of possible trusted adults and then draw pictures of their own trusted adults on a “Trust Tree.”
• UYN: The NetSmartz Chat Abbreviation 1
Students discuss what abbreviations are. They watch "UYN: The NetSmartz Chat Abbreviation" and discuss the abbreviation UYN. Next they clap while chanting "UYN" and then shout "UYN" in response to Internet scenarios. They complete a worksheet reminding them to "Use Your NetSmartz."
• UYN: The NetSmartz Chat Abbreviation 2
Students watch "UYN: The NetSmartz Chat Abbreviation." They discuss what it means to "Use Your NetSmartz." They play a game where they figure out how to use their NetSmartz in various situations.
• UYN: The Boy Who Loved IM 1
Students play a game similar to the "telephone game." They watch "UYN: The Boy Who Loved IM" and discuss the dangers of sharing personal information online. They make stop signs to remind them to stop and "Use Your NetSmartz."
• UYN: Don't Open That File 1
Students discuss computer viruses by relating them to germs that spread between humans, using a "hands-on" activity to demonstrate this point. They watch "UYN: Don’t Open That File" and talk about how viruses can damage computers and what to do to protect the computer.
• The Web Connection 1
Students are introduced to the concept of the Internet and the idea of the world wide web by comparing it to a spider's web. Children watch "The Web Connection," an interactive activity where Clicky explains how we connect to each other on the web.
• The Webville Outlaws 1
Students are introduced to potential dangers on the Internet in the form of the Webville Outlaws. They watch a short animation clip and then discuss it.
• Clicky's Challenge 1
Students play "Clicky's Challenge" to help them review potential dangers on the Internet. These dangers are shown in the form of the Webville Outlaw characters.
Grades 3-4
•
Know the Rules: Check First
Students watch the “Know the Rules” rap video. They discuss checking first with a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult before going anywhere, helping anyone, accepting anything, getting into a car, or leaving with anyone. Students practice what was discussed through teacher-guided group skits.
•
Know the Rules: Take a Friend
Students watch the “Know the Rules” rap video and discuss the importance of taking a friend with them when going places or playing outside. They make individual map of their neighborhoods and highlight a path to a favorite play area where they would take a friend with them to be safer.
•
Know the Rules: Tell People 'NO'
Students watch the “Know the Rules” rap video and discuss what to do if someone tries to touch them in ways that make them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. Students practice saying “NO” to different scenarios and make posters to reinforce their right to stand up for themselves.
•
Know the Rules: Tell a Trusted Adult
Students watch the “Know the Rules” rap video. They learn that it is important to tell a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult if anything happens to them. Students complete an activity page and list details about three trusted adults in their lives.
• UYN: The NetSmartz Chat Abbreviation 1
Students discuss what abbreviations are. They watch "UYN: The NetSmartz Chat Abbreviation" and discuss UYN and other chat abbreviations. They perform the UYN lyrics in small groups and make individual UYN posters to hang at home.
• UYN: The Boy Who Loved IM 1
Students play a game similar to the "telephone game." They watch "UYN: The Boy Who Loved IM" and discuss the dangers of sharing personal information online. They make stop signs to remind them to stop and "Use Your NetSmartz."
• UYN: Don't Open That File 1
Students discuss what viruses are, how quickly they can spread, and how computer viruses can damage computers. They watch "UYN: Don’t Open That File." They review the main points and decode clues to find a hidden message.
• UYN: The Password Rap 1
Students discuss how passwords are like keys and why it is important to have a password that isn't easy to guess.
• UYN: The Password Rap 2
Students discuss the concept of non-identifying information and basic ideas for what makes up a good password.
• UYN: The Password Rap 3
Students learn more complex ways to create a strong password and review the importance of keeping a password private.
• Meet the WizzyWigs 1
Students watch "Meet the WizzyWigs" and are introduced to possible dangers on the Internet in the form of characters named the WizzyWigs. Then they write and illustrate a story about one of the WizzyWigs.
• Which WizzyWig is Which? 1
Students participate in the "Which WizzyWig is Which?" activity to help them review the WizzyWigs they previously "met." By holding up WizzyWig pictures, children identify the WizzyWigs that correspond with various Internet situations, testing their knowledge of Internet safety.
• Who's Your Friend on the Internet? 1
Students watch "Who's Your Friend on the Internet?" and learn that people are not always who they say they are on the Internet. Children individually list things considered to be personal information and then discuss them as a group.
Grades 5-6
•
Know the Rules: Check First
Students watch the “Know the Rules” rap video. They discuss checking first with a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult before going anywhere, helping anyone, accepting anything, getting into a car, or leaving with anyone. Students create their own safety rap lyrics in groups or individually, with assigned strips of sentences they much include in the rap. If time permits, students present their raps to the class.
•
Know the Rules: Take a Friend
Student’s watch the “Know the Rules” rap video and discuss the importance of taking a friend with them when going places or playing outside. Students read pretend headlines (situation cards) and write or type a “Letter to the Editor” in response to the headlines.
•
Know the Rules: Tell People 'NO'
Students watch the “Know the Rules” rap video and discuss what to do if someone tries to touch them in ways that make them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. They review “Body Language That Says ‘NO’” and complete a writing activity in response to situation cards. Students practice saying “NO” with a partner as they act out their written responses to the situation cards.
•
Know the Rules: Tell a Trusted Adult
Students watch the “Know the Rules” rap video. They learn that it is important to tell a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult if anything happens to them. Students brainstorm and identify who the trusted adults are in their family, neighborhood, friend group, school, and community. They then complete a math project using drawing compasses to create their own “Circle of Trust.”
• UYN: The NetSmartz Chat Abbreviation 1
Students watch "UYN: The NetSmartz Chat Abbreviation" to review basic Internet safety rules. They discuss what it means to "Use Your NetSmartz" and develop a class definition.
• UYN: The Boy Who Loved IM 1
Students learn how difficult it is to tell when someone is misrepresenting themselves online and play a game to reinforce this.
• UYN: Don't Open That File 1
Students talk about how viruses can affect their computer, and play a group activity called "The Virus" to demonstrate how viruses spread.
• Meet the WizzyWigs 1
Students watch "Meet the WizzyWigs" and are introduced to possible dangers on the Internet in the form of characters named the WizzyWigs. Then they write and illustrate a story about one of the WizzyWigs.
• Who's Your Friend on the Internet? 1
Students watch "Who's Your Friend on the Internet?" and learn that people are not always who they say they are on the Internet. Children individually list things considered to be personal information and then discuss them as a group.
• Angela's Experience 1
Students watch "Angela's Experience" and discuss the safe and unsafe online behaviors they identified in the vignette.
• Tracking Teresa 1
Students watch “Tracking Teresa” and distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate information to share online.
• Post-to-be-Private 1
Students watch "Post-to-be Private" and discuss what rules should be followed when adding "friends" on social networking sites. They participate in an activity where they decide whether or not to add someone they don’t know in real life to their friends list. Students then write a persuasive letter to help a fictional friend realize potential dangers of using social networking sites. Upon completing these activities, students will know to only accept "friends" on their social networking profiles that they know and trust in real life.
Middle School
• Tracking Teresa 1
Students watch "Tracking Teresa" to understand why it is important for them to protect their personal information while online. Students play the game "Two Truths and a Lie" to see how difficult it is to know whether what someone says about themselves is true or not. Thinking of the possible dangers of the Internet, they then develop a personal "Internet Safety Action Plan."
• Cyberbullying: Broken Friendship 1
Students watch the true story of a girl whose best friend gave out her e-mail password to some other girls at school without her knowledge. They play a game called "Keep Your Keys!" and discuss why they should not give their passwords to anyone except their parents or guardian.
• Cyberbullying: You Can't Take It Back 1
Students watch the true story of a boy who rated girls from school on a web site, thinking it was a private joke between him and his friends. They discuss questions in peer groups, and then write a paragraph to a friend.
• Julie's Journey 1
Students watch "Julie's Journey." In groups, students put quotes from Julie's story in chronological order and discuss how each small decision Julie made contributed to a serious consequence.
• Teens PSA: "Promises" 1
Students watch the Teen PSA: "Promises" twice, listening for promises someone they first met online could make. They compare the promises and intentions of an unknown person versus promises and intentions of the trusted adults in their lives and discuss how they can know whom to turn to when they are feeling sad or alone.
• Keisha and Angela 1
Students learn vocabulary dealing with Internet behavior. They watch two stories about online teens put at risk and identify unacceptable online behavior such as flaming and cyberstalking.
• Amy's Choice 1
Students watch a true story about a 15-year-old girl who ran away from home to meet in person with a man she first met online. They learn how they can avoid similar situations by communicating with trusted adults.
• How Much Is Too Much 1
Students read the webcomic, "How Much Is Too Much?" Students participate in a round-robin discussion about the webcomic covering the topics of cyberbullying and giving away personal information online. Students then write dialogue for a comic panel of their choice (provided). Upon completion, students will understand how to better protect themselves against cyberbullies.
• Post-to-be-Private 1
Students watch "Post-to-be Private" and discuss what rules should be followed when adding "friends" on social networking sites. They participate in an activity where they decide whether or not to add someone they don’t know in real life to their friends list. Students then write a persuasive letter to help a fictional friend realize potential dangers of using social networking sites. Upon completing these activities, students will know to only accept "friends" on their social networking profiles that they know and trust in real life.
High School
• Tracking Teresa 1
Students watch "Tracking Teresa," based on a true story of a girl who did not realize the possible consequences of giving out her personal information on the Internet. Teens discuss what happened to Teresa and learn how they can avoid similar situations by maintaining their privacy on the Internet.
• Cyberbullying: Broken Friendship 1
Students watch the story of a girl whose best friend gave out her e-mail password to some other girls at school without her knowledge. Students respond to a letter from someone about an experience on the Internet.
• Cyberbullying: You Can't Take It Back 1
Students watch the true story of a boy who rated girls from school on a web site, thinking it was a private joke between him and his friends. Students discuss the positive and negative aspects of the Internet and offer ideas about what the boy could have done when his friends asked him to rate the web site.
• Amy's Choice 1
Students watch "Amy's Choice," a true story about a 15-year-old girl who ran away from home to meet in person with a man she first met online. They discuss how Amy was at risk and they can avoid similar situations by communicating with trusted adults.
Internet Safety Presentations
The National PTA
With 17 million youth ages 12 through 17 using the Internet it is crucial to empower them to make responsible decisions online. The Internet provides immediate access to a wealth of information and the ability to communicate with friends and family all over the world. However, it is also important to understand the potential risks children can be exposed to including inappropriate material, sexual solicitation, cyberbullying, or theft of personal information.
NetSmartz Internet safety presentations for grades K-2, 3-6, middle and high school, and parents/communities are tailored to the attention span and needs of each audience.
Read
more about the presentations
To schedule an Internet safety presentation at your school or next PTA conference please contact your local ICAC Task Force by visiting www.icactraining.org.
If your principal would like information about how to implement the NetSmartz program into the classroom, have him or her contact us at NetSmartz_Contact@ncmec.org
Links
Online Risks
Before spending valuable learning time on activities to reduce child victimization online, it is important to understand the need for this information. Children of all ages are flocking to the Internet. Forty-five percent of children in the United States more than 30 million of those younger than 18 use the Internet.1
It is important to note the types of dangers that children may be susceptible to on the Internet. In addition to the useful and educational information available on the Internet, a great deal of content exists that is not appropriate for children. This content can include nudity or other sexually explicit material; hate group or racist web sites; promotional material about tobacco, alcohol, or drugs; graphic violence; information on satanic or cult groups; or even recipes for making bombs or other explosives.2
Unfortunately child pornography is frequently exchanged via the Internet, and sexual predators can use the Internet to try to reach out to children for sexual purposes. Children could be targets of cyberstalking or harassment that includes repeated and unwanted contact through the Internet that is rude or threatening. Also, people can send viruses to other computers that could damage or destroy your hard drive.3
Other Internet dangers to children include sexual exploitation or enticement. Sexual predators may target children online while maintaining relative anonymity. The nature of online interaction facilitates deception about the predator's identity, age, and intentions. Millions of children online form a large pool from which predators can select victims.4 Thus parents and educators need to carefully supervise children's activities while they are on the Internet.
Sexual predators frequent various chatrooms looking for children. These predators target likely victims; make contact; and work to develop friendship, emotional reliance, and interest in sexual topics. He or she may initiate offline sexual relations quickly or spend months "grooming" the child towards a sexual relationship. Sexual predators may use material goods, such as compact disks and games, to attract children offline. There have been cases in which predators have sent children bus tickets or money to cover the cost of travel or traveled to meet children.5
The natural characteristics of children may facilitate victimization. Children of all ages have a lack of emotional maturity that can make them more susceptible to manipulation or intimidation. Also they have a strong desire for attention, validation, and affection along with a lack of caution or self-preservation. Children are taught to obey adult requests and demands and may be less likely to know when it isn't appropriate to do so. In addition, children are naturally curious about sex and other "forbidden" topics. It is important to note that children also may be hesitant to tell a trusted adult if they are approached in an inappropriate way, because of a feeling of embarrassment or the stigma of being a "tattletale."6
It is also important to note that children may become involved in criminal activity on the Internet. Children can be the perpetrators in sexual exploitation or harassment cases. Other crimes that children may engage in include sending viruses, hacking, gambling, the illegal purchase or distribution of narcotics and weapons, fraud, and the illegal copying of software or other copyrighted material.7
Hello parents and educators!
As a way to remind your students and children about being safer online, free downloads, including screensavers, wallpapers, media player skins, audio messages, and themes, are available. Downloads keep the lessons, characters, and most importantly the safety rules your child or student has learned fresh and fun.
Parents: You can use these free downloads to review the safety rules on a daily basis and even challenge your child to memorize what the rules are. Seeing who can memorize the rules and the names of the characters makes children aim for a goal. They love competing against you and winning!
Educators: These downloads can easily support your safety theme for a unit you are teaching or as a way to review what characters and topics you discussed the day before. Having the screensavers and wallpapers displayed on each computer in your classroom when parents visit can be another way to introduce them to the safety concepts you’ve been teaching their children.
Media Player Skins
Screensavers
Audio
Wallpapers
Themes
E-Cards
Law Enforcement
Law-enforcement officers often receive invitations to conduct Internet safety presentations in schools and communities. NetSmartz offers a variety of resources to law enforcement to assist them in their efforts to keep their communities safer. Whether the presentation is 10 minutes long or 2 hours, for children or adults, NetSmartz resources can accommodate the circumstance.
ICAC Program
The ICAC Task Force Program provides training and technical assistance to law-enforcement agencies working to reduce the victimization of children. For more information, please visit www.icactraining.org.
Real-Life Stories
Watch these video clips with students to discuss the possible consequences of their online choices. Watch a real-life story now.
Real-Life Stories
"Cyberbullying: Feathers in the Wind" (Part 1 of 3)
Cyberbullying is the use of the Internet to harass or bully others. Watch our new series and discuss with teens what they can do to avoid becoming a victim or victimizing someone else. Play >>
"Cyberbullying: You Can't Take It Back" (Part 2 of 3)
A teen regrets his participation
on a web site created to rate others at his school. Play
>>
Activity Cards
- "Cyberbullying: You Can't Take It Back 1" for middle school
- "Cyberbullying: You Can't Take It Back 1" for high school
Related News Articles
- Teen's Site About Freshmen Girls
- Tips to Help When Your Child is Bullied Online
- Girl Scout Survey: Sexual Harassment of Teens
- Teen's IM Privileges Taken Away
"Cyberbullying: Broken Friendship" (Part 3 of 3)
A friendship is broken when a
teen gives her best friend's password to some other girls at
school. Play
>>
Activity Cards
- "Cyberbully: Broken Friendship 1" for middle school
- "Cyberbullying: Broken Friendship 1" for high school
Related News Articles
- Tips to Help When Your Child is Bullied Online
- Girl Scout Survey: Sexual Harassment of Teens
- Teen's IM Privileges Taken Away
"Julie's Journey"
Julie left home for three weeks
with a convicted murderer she had developed a relationship with
online. Play
>>
Activity Cards
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- "Generation IM"
- 12-Year-Old Girl Back Home After Ordeal
- Teen Murdered by Man She Met in Chatroom
- Online Child Molesters
- The Internet's Underbelly
- Tragedy in Connecticut
- Search for Online Romance Leads to Fake Kidnapping
"Amy's Choice"
Hear the true story of a
15-year-old girl who left home to meet in person with a man she
first "met" online. Read "Amy's Story" — the
story from her mother's perspective. Play
>>
Activity Cards
Related News Articles
- 12-Year-Old Girl Back Home After Ordeal
- Online Child Molesters
- The Internet's Underbelly
- Tragedy in Connecticut
- Search for Online Romance Leads to Fake Kidnapping
"Tracking Teresa"
Even though Teresa has tried not
to reveal personal information online, she's left enough clues that
she could find herself in danger. Play
>>
Activity Cards
"Keisha's Crime"
A jealous teen uses the Internet
for revenge in this piece about peer-to-peer harassment. Play
>>
Activity Cards
Related News Articles
- Tips to Help When Your Child is Bullied Online
- Girl Scout Survey: Sexual Harassment of Teens
- Teen's IM Privileges Taken Away
"Angela's Experience"
What do you do if someone is
harassing you online? This piece discusses netiquette and how to
handle harassment appropriately. Play
>>
Activity Cards
Related News Articles
Teens
Today’s teens have a knowledge of the Internet that often surpasses that of their parents. Because so many teens are Internet savvy, it is imperative that they also have an understanding of the dangers that exist online and how to deal with them. Watch teens share their own “Real-Life Stories” about issues affecting them on the Internet such as cyberbullying, online enticement, and giving out too much personal information.
Kids