Great Technology Information to Know..

The following information may be very helpful in keeping you and your family safe on the internet.  Be proactive with your child’s education and today’s technology world.

Please take time to go to the following sites to learn about Internet Safety. Just click on the following.

 INTERNET SAFETY-The Cyber Community

Microsoft Internet Safety PowerShow

Social Media…

Social media is a tool that allows people to generate content and engage in peer-to-peer conversations and exchanges of content or, online technologies and practices that people use to share opinions, insights, experiences and perspectives.  Some examples include social sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.  Blogs, chat, instant messaging, email, picture sharing and text messaging are other popular social media services.

Used by people of all ages, social media serves as a easy way to maintain interpersonal relations. Planning a party, keeping clients updated on your business, connecting with public figures and musical groups, keeping in touch with friends and family are some of the uses.

The posting of personal information and photos creates some danger.  Threats faced by users of social media include identity theft, phishing, cyberbullying, self-exploitation and sexual predators.

Privacy…

When being on the internet, you run the risk of privacy breach with threats of online scams, spam, identity theft and malware.   Maintaining an high level of Internet privacy is necessary.  This concerns the control of what personal information you disclose over the Internet and who can access this information.

Though total anonymity is nearly impossible online, users can remain highly anonymous by never sharing personally identifiable information like full name, address and phone number.  In the wrong hands, your information could be exploited for credit card fraud, stealing your social security number and committing fraud under your name.

Online security on the other hand, concerns the protection of websites and electronic files from hackers, spyware and viruses.  The most basic Internet security software includes antivirus protection, anti-spyware and a firewall, which is complemented by data protection practices such as well-selected passwords, change of file permissions and backup of files.

It is very important to change your password frequently if you are on the internet a great deal of the time.  It a wise safeguard.

Cyber bully…

Cyber bully is much like a schoolyard bully.  However, their weapons of social cruelty include various digital technologies from cell phones to digital cameras to computers.   Through the use of a keyboard, the Internet serves as an easier alternative to physical bullying for those people.  Electronic bullies are able to hide behind temporary email accounts, pseudonyms, instant messengers and text messages.

Cyber bullying comes in many forms. Examples are:

·        harassment (e.g., repeatedly sending emails or text messages to someone who has indicated he or she no longer wants any contact with the sender)

·        humiliation (e.g., placing hateful comments, false statements or posting unauthorized images or videos on websites, chat rooms, blogs or forums)

·        threats (e.g., sending or posting death threats or threats of other forms of violence online)

·        torment (e.g., hacking into a peer’s email account to ruin their reputation).

Predators…

Online predators are defined as adults who use the Internet to exploit children.  Forms of online exploitation involve online stalking, child grooming (communication by an adult with a child, with the intent of later engaging in sexual contact), posting inappropriate pictures or videos of victims and having victims send  pictures or videos of themselves to the predator.

Child exploitation online, however, is not limited to sex crimes committed by pedophiles and sex offenders.  The online distribution of child pornography and self-exploitation through sexting (sending sexually explicit images or text messages through cell phones or the Internet) are now day-to-day challenges for law enforcement.

Online predators usually find their victims on social networking sites, blogs, chat rooms, online discussion boards and websites.  With the end goal of face-to-face contact, they employ several tactics, such as sympathizing with kid’s problems, keeping up with latest on youth culture, emotional abuse, guilt trips and threats.

Gaming with your family

1. Talk about What Kind Of MEDIA CONTENT (games, TV shows, Web sites) is accepted in your home  When in doubt, check for additional information on rating systems and advice from others

2.  Set LIMITS around the amount of time spent in front of a screen including playing video games, watching TV or using the computer.

3. Learn about and set-up PARENTAL CONTROLS on your video game consoles and computers.

4. Practice ONLINE SAFETY by keeping personal information private, reporting cyberbullying, and understanding who it’s appropriate to communicate with online

5. Talk about your family’s media choices, and discuss the IMAGES and MESSAGES you see in video games, on the Web and TV.