Online and On Guard: Protecting Your Image and Relating Safely on the Internet

Annie LisowskiBuffalo County 4-H & Youth Development Educator

UW-Extension

Community Survey

Parents and teenagers:

How do your answers match up?

Start a conversation with your parents!Communication is the key!

Generation Gap = Digital Divide

Parents’ Beliefs: ◦ 87% say they have established rules for their kids Internet use ◦ 54% feel they are limited to monitor and shelter their kids from inappropriate

material on the Internet ◦ 69% feel they know a lot about what their kids do on the Internet ◦ 31% have disciplined their child because of their Internet use

Teens’ Reality:◦ 36% say parents have NOT made rules for their use of the Internet ◦ 41% do NOT share what they do and where they go online with their parents ◦ 29% say their parent would disapprove if they knew what they were doing online ◦ 36% have NOT discussed how to be safe on the Internet with their parent ◦ 22% say the computer they use most often is in their room ◦ 73% say there is a need for kids and teens to learn about Internet safety

Source: iSAFE survey of 55,000 youth nationwide

Again, start a conversation with your parents!Communication is the key!

“Don’t Stop the Dialogue”

Parent PSA

Once more…parent-child communication is the key!

Online Facts & Stats

• The Teen Internet Safety Survey indicated:• In 2006, 61% of teens had a social networking online profile• In 2007, 71% did

• Pew Internet & American Life Project 2007 surveys indicate:

• 89% of youth who post online receive feedback on their posting• 64% posted photos and videos of themselves• 39% share their artistic creations online• 28% have created their own blog• 33% work on webpages or blogs for others/groups• 9 in 10 prefer texting, instant messaging, and social networking

over email

Online Facts & Stats

• 83% of what youth post online is appropriate material

• However, 84% of those profiles also contain at least one indication of risk-taking behaviors:

• Posting personal information (56%)• Communicating with ‘strangers’ (43%)• Big Buddy/Friends Lists (35%)• “Flaming” remarks (28%)

Source: Netsmartz 2007 survey

Online Facts & Stats

58% of youth admit to using the Internet unsafely, inappropriately, or illegally

20% have met with someone face to face that they first met online

Socialization Changes:◦ 20% of teens feel safer in on the Internet than they do in the

“real” world◦ 37% feel freer in Cyberspace than they do in the physical

world◦ 25% feel more positive about themselves online than off

◦ Source: iSAFE national study 2004

Online Life is Real Life

What do you do online?◦ Blogs◦ Social Networking Sites◦ Games◦ Photos and Webcams◦ Watch Movies and TV shows◦ Cell phone◦ IM, Email, Chatting◦ File Sharing◦ Research◦ Shopping

What you do online is not anonymous and does have consequences in the “real” world

SNL MySpace Skit

What’s wrong?◦ Parents should try out social networking sites◦ No personal information◦ Predators use shared interests◦ Screen Names shouldn’t tell more about you◦ Nothing revealing or inappropriate◦ Avatar = A photo is worth a 1,000 words◦ May not have a way to police, but teens are capable of staying safe online◦ Staying off the Internet isn’t the answer

Top Teen Risky Online Behaviors

1. Posting personal information2. Talking to unknown people3. Making strangers “friends” or “buddies”4. Posting rude comments5. Sending personal information to

unknown people

◦ Source: Netsmartz survey 2008

Personal & Private Information

NameFriends’ NamesAgeSchool Name, Colors or MascotsTown or Nearby LocationsWhat your doing on the weekendLikes and DislikesPersonal OpinionsVulnerabilitiesPhotos

Full NameAddressBirth datePhone NumberPasswordsPin NumbersEmail Mother’s Maiden NameSocial Security NumberCredit Card Numbers

How much is too much?

Screen Names

AmIdolfan09

Smith111296

Soccerqueen14

wi1Buffaloman

jackNsue4ever

54629sk8rboi

Online is NOT Private

Who sees your profile?◦ Principal◦ College Admissions Advisor◦ Employers◦ Parents◦ Friends◦ Future Significant Others◦ Predators

Why should you care?

Family, friends, parents, teachers, and others you care about will likely check your online life

College admissions officials often check to see what online information they can find on candidates

The same applies to employers you might want to work for in the future

Interested in a career with a public life? Beware what you post!

Profiles & blogs may be viewed by online predators

Some things are only meant to be shared with your special someone

Your online image activity

What does your profile say about you?

Rate Your Online Profile Quiz

You’re in Control!

YOU control your online image and how much

information is revealed

Online Relationships

Many types of online relationships◦ Friendship◦ Professional / Employers◦ Romantic

Each type of online relationship develops differently and has different goals, therefore each has both benefits and disadvantages

◦ Ask do the risks ever outweigh the benefits?

Who is a “friend”?

Where Everyone Knows Your Name

A “friend” is NOT a person:◦ You first met online◦ You have only met once◦ Who is a friend of a friend◦ Who only “likes” you online

“Think before you post”

I Keep Safe PSA

Cyberbullying◦ 42% have been bullied online◦ 53% admit to bullying someone else online

Can feel easier online because there is no need to look your victim in the eye, but research suggests that this also means it is more emotionally and psychologically destructive

Digital Regret

“Sexting”

“Sexting” ◦ 1 in 5 girls, 1 in 4 boys “sexts”

◦ What could do this do to your online image?

Beyond a ruined image young people can also be prosecuted for possession and viewing of child pornography

And, “Sexting” has had even more horrible ramifications…

The truth is…

That your chances of being abducted are increased when you have a relationship with somebody online

This means you do need to know how to avoid and outsmart internet predators!

The Perfect Victim

Teenager age 11-16Little parent communicationAccess to computer 24-7Often spends time alone at home or notPrivate use of the InternetWilling to share personal informationReveals vulnerabilities

Internet Predator Characteristics

MaleAge 25-65Well-EducatedMarriedKids older than those they seek onlineSteady EmploymentVaried Computer Expertise

Internet Predator Grooming Process

Most predators will spends months forming a friendship with a person to gain their trust. They take notes and groom their victims.

SITS Grooming Process◦ Shared Interests◦ Trust◦ Secrets

Predators Entice

If anyone:◦ Talks about inappropriate things◦ Sends you sexually explicit material◦ Asks for your personal information◦ Talks about or wants you to do something that makes you uncomfortable◦ Wants to meet you in person

They are probably an internet predator who is attempting to groom you!

Internet Predator Warning Signs

If someone tries to:◦ Isolate you from family and friends◦ Turn you against your parents or guardians◦ Make you keep things secret◦ Send inappropriate material or talk about explicit topics◦ Threatens you

They are probably an internet predator who is attempting to groom you!

Remember…

The Internet is not

anonymous.

Let’s see what you’ve learned…

Online and On Guard: Who wants to be an Internet Safety Millionaire?

Thank you!

Any Questions?Evaluation