As you know, we are endlessly working to have our finger on the pulse of how adults are educating youth about online technology. The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and Educational Technology Policy, Research, and Outreach (ETPRO) recently found that less than 25% of educators feel comfortable teaching students about Internet safety issues. You and I might ask ourselves – what is the reason behind that? Is it because teachers and administrators feel ignorant and unfamiliar with the latest forms of Web 2.0 communications? Is it because educators don’t have the resources at hand to use in instructional capacities? Is it because they perceive it as less important when compared to all of the other scholastic and curricular material they have to cover during the day? Is it because they are underpaid and overworked and simply cannot do anymore? I don’t know the answer to that question, but I think it’s probably a combination of all of these factors, to varying degrees.
Looking at the latest data coming out of our Research Center, we’ve found that among the population of approximately 1,000 randomly-selected teens we’ve recently studied from one district, 48.1% revealed that a teacher has talked to them about being safe on the computer over the last 30 days. A comparatively small 14.9% of youth indicated that an educator has talked to them about online safety many times or practically every day over the last month. Maybe most school personnel are just expecting parents to discuss these issues with their kids at home. Well, it just so happens that we have new data on whether parents are stepping up and broaching the subject matter…
We found that 40.8% of the students we surveyed in June 2009 were counseled by their parents about Internet safety issues in the last 30 days. That said, more than 1 out of every 5 students (22%) reported that online safety matters was discussed by their parents many times or practically every day, over the last month. Moreover, we found that 43.4% of youth reported that their mom or dad *never* goes on the computer with them. This is to be compared with 5.5% who state that a parent goes online with them “often” or “very often.” With all of this said, it is quite apparent that a very small proportion of youth consciences are being piqued about the tremendous importance of participating in cyberspace with wisdom, discretion, and civility.
I want to reiterate that this is brand new data. I was really hoping that the numbers would show a more encouraging finding in this area. The only appropriate response, it seems, is to further dig our heels in and redouble our efforts to educate and embolden youth-serving adults. The new school year is almost upon us, and there is much to be done.
As a parent and an educator, I find this data really depressing. The generation that I am in really need to teach our kids about online safety. I think they don't even know what they don't know. They are busy posting, adding pictures, giving away way too much information about themselves because as teens, they really aren't thinking about how this might affect their future. When they look for jobs, employers will google them and see what they find. And facebook takes advantage of this. They keep making it less and less private and don't tell you. Teens maybe don't even know that all of their info is public unless they change their privacy settings themselves. I agree with above that we need to move forward and do everything we can to educate our children and students about how to protect themselves online. Reminders, reminders, reminders and monitor, monitor, monitor. The key is parenting, in my opinion. Teachers and schools will do their best but parents are the child's first teachers and need to instill this upon their children. Also need to remember that children will follow more what you do than what you say. If you are always on FB or Twitter and texting and talking on the mobile constantly (some parents do) then your children will mimic that behavior. Parents; set down the phone and turn off the computer and go spend time with your children.
As a parent and an educator, I find this data really depressing. The generation that I am in really need to teach our kids about online safety. I think they don't even know what they don't know. They are busy posting, adding pictures, giving away way too much information about themselves because as teens, they really aren't thinking about how this might affect their future. When they look for jobs, employers will google them and see what they find. And facebook takes advantage of this. They keep making it less and less private and don't tell you. Teens maybe don't even know that all of their info is public unless they change their privacy settings themselves. I agree with above that we need to move forward and do everything we can to educate our children and students about how to protect themselves online. Reminders, reminders, reminders and monitor, monitor, monitor. The key is parenting, in my opinion. Teachers and schools will do their best but parents are the child's first teachers and need to instill this upon their children. Also need to remember that children will follow more what you do than what you say. If you are always on FB or Twitter and texting and talking on the mobile constantly (some parents do) then your children will mimic that behavior. Parents; set down the phone and turn off the computer and go spend time with your children.
I located an article that lists 10 ways to prevent cyber bullying. I especially like #6. #6 says to place the family computer in a common area and supervise internet use. By taking this action (and creating more bonding time with your child) you are eliminating the opportunity for a child to use technology in secret, lessening the possibility of the child cyber bullying another or becoming the victim of cyber bullying. (link defunct)
I located an article that lists 10 ways to prevent cyber bullying. I especially like #6. #6 says to place the family computer in a common area and supervise internet use. By taking this action (and creating more bonding time with your child) you are eliminating the opportunity for a child to use technology in secret, lessening the possibility of the child cyber bullying another or becoming the victim of cyber bullying. (link defunct)
Parents have a major role in preventing cyberbullying as they are the main protectors of their children. Many parents are not familiar with technology and its uses, so preventing cyberbullying is not always an easy task. However, with a little guidance or even applying some come sense tactics, there is much that they can do. There are several resources available to help parents identify their role in preventing cyberbullying. A charity dedicated to protecting all internet users, especially children from cybercrime, Wiredkids Inc., has provided tips for parents to prevent cyberbullying. Parents should be supportive, alert, look for any changes in their child’s behavior, and speak with school guidance counselors. I find it interesting that it is noted how youth can be alternate between the roles of being the cyberbully or cyberbullying victim. If the parent suspects or knows that their child is being bullied then they should keep evidence of the cyberbullying and speak with law enforcement agencies.
Social networking sites have enabled cyberbullying and pushed it to a whole new level. I think we should look at these situations, not by singling them out, but by looking at the bigger picture. If the bullies were educated on internet safety, there’s a chance they may not have been involved in these acts. Also, if parents and educators knew how to better detect the signs of cyberbullying, these situations would not be as common as they are. We could even go as far to say that there needs to be an age limit when creating new accounts on these networking sites, but teenagers typically find a way around that. Since social networking sites don’t seem to be going anywhere in a hurry, I believe that through educating adults and kids on the prevalence of cyberbullying, we will ultimately help to decrease it. Parents play a crucial role in the development of their child, so they need to have a thorough understand of these topics in order to teach their children.
I wanted to respond about preventing cyberbullying. I think the thing we need to do the most is talk about cyberbulling. We can’t be afraid to express how terrible it is to our children. We also need to put the fear in our children in order for them to understand that it is not a game. I’m not saying that we have to whoop them or anything like that, but i am saying that we need to be clear about what the consequences are for cyberbullying someone else. They range from getting suspended to someone killing theirselfs and you ending up in serious trouble. I know it may be hard but I think another solution would be having those parents who have lost a child to speak about what cyberbulling does to a person.
I wanted to respond about preventing cyberbullying. I think the thing we need to do the most is talk about cyberbulling. We can’t be afraid to express how terrible it is to our children. We also need to put the fear in our children in order for them to understand that it is not a game. I’m not saying that we have to whoop them or anything like that, but i am saying that we need to be clear about what the consequences are for cyberbullying someone else. They range from getting suspended to someone killing theirselfs and you ending up in serious trouble. I know it may be hard but I think another solution would be having those parents who have lost a child to speak about what cyberbulling does to a person.
“It is often difficult to determine whether behavioral or attitudinal changes in youth are signal of distress or simply the usual “adolescent angst” ( Patchin & Hinduja 155) It’s really hard to understand young teens but it’s even harder to understand what they go trough in school and if they’re being bullied. As parents, they should be open to their kids and have a talk once in awhile about personal information; this way the teen can feel comfortable to talk with his/her parents. It’s extremely important for parents and other adults just as educators to learn how to read the behavior of the children so that the problems can be resolved. Many signals can be viewed as that “something is wrong” in a child’s behavior. On page 155 Patchin and Hinduja illustrated a list of negative emotions which are “ Unexpectedly stops using the computer, appears nervous or jump when an instant message or email appears, avoids answering his or her cell phone in front of you, appears uneasy about going to school or outside in general, appears to be angry, depressed, or frustrated after using the computer, avoids discussions about what he or she is doing on the computer, …” Based on this list the most common and obvious sign is when they stop using the computer. I can totally understand this because when I was in middle school, I was bullied and I wanted to stop going to school. School wasn’t the same for me, it was like torture, and those girls didn’t give me a break. A number of signals may also suggest when a child may be cyberbullying others. Patchin and Hinduja made a clear list about these red flags “Quickly switches screens or closes programs when you walk by, uses the computer at all hours of the night, gets unusually upset of he or she cannot use the computer, is using multiple online accounts or an account that is not his or her own, laughs excessively while using the computer, …” Adults should pay more attention to young teens and learn their behaviors and put a stop from the beginning.
“It is often difficult to determine whether behavioral or attitudinal changes in youth are signal of distress or simply the usual “adolescent angst” ( Patchin & Hinduja 155) It’s really hard to understand young teens but it’s even harder to understand what they go trough in school and if they’re being bullied. As parents, they should be open to their kids and have a talk once in awhile about personal information; this way the teen can feel comfortable to talk with his/her parents. It’s extremely important for parents and other adults just as educators to learn how to read the behavior of the children so that the problems can be resolved. Many signals can be viewed as that “something is wrong” in a child’s behavior. On page 155 Patchin and Hinduja illustrated a list of negative emotions which are “ Unexpectedly stops using the computer, appears nervous or jump when an instant message or email appears, avoids answering his or her cell phone in front of you, appears uneasy about going to school or outside in general, appears to be angry, depressed, or frustrated after using the computer, avoids discussions about what he or she is doing on the computer, …” Based on this list the most common and obvious sign is when they stop using the computer. I can totally understand this because when I was in middle school, I was bullied and I wanted to stop going to school. School wasn’t the same for me, it was like torture, and those girls didn’t give me a break. A number of signals may also suggest when a child may be cyberbullying others. Patchin and Hinduja made a clear list about these red flags “Quickly switches screens or closes programs when you walk by, uses the computer at all hours of the night, gets unusually upset of he or she cannot use the computer, is using multiple online accounts or an account that is not his or her own, laughs excessively while using the computer, …” Adults should pay more attention to young teens and learn their behaviors and put a stop from the beginning.