What could Web sites do to make their site safer for kids?

default_cyberbullying

This is one of many questions we have received via email over the last several weeks.The answer is a bit more complicated than many adults realize.If there were a quick fix, Web site administrators would have implemented the changes by now.I don’t think it is so much a problem with Web sites.Clearly, Web sites need to have clear policies about inappropriate behaviors and content and mechanisms available for users to report problems.Web site administrators then need to respond immediately when instances of cyberbullying are called to their attention and remove offensive content immediately.Thankfully most of the mainstream sites have gotten better at this in recent months, so they are moving in the right direction.

It is also important to remember that much of the responsibility resides with the users of the technology (and the adults charged with teaching kids how to use the Web).For example, youth shouldn’t say things online that they wouldn’t say in person.They should keep their personal information safe and not reveal contact information (like their phone number or home address).They should also learn to be skeptical about people they only know from online.These online friends may not be who they say they are.Finally, youth need to feel comfortable talking with an adult they trust about any bullying they may experience (or any other problem they encounter online).Teach kids how to be responsible users of technology and it won’t matter what site they are on.They will know what is appropriate and what is not and know where to go for help if they run into trouble.

7 Comments

  1. I realize that social networking sites

    have committed to work to remove offensive material.

    I created the Facebook group

    "KIND CLASSES"

    Committed to taking postive action

    Against school bullying

    And promoting kinder classes

    Everywhere.
    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5776047447
    At Facebook there is a "Report" feature at every group.

    I found,however,that using it has not always resulted

    in offensive groups being removed from Facebook.

    If a group is titled "we all hate…" or "Miss…,we all hate you and think you suck",contains insults,and targets a particular student or teacher, then I consider it to be an offensive group.Any group with malicious intent is an offensive group regardless of its title. Such groups which have been reported, however,often still remain online.I have contacted Facebook in additon to using the "Report" feature. They promise to review reported groups and see if they comply with their Terms Of Use. I have asked Facebook for specific information on the criteria they use to remove groups. I have received no specifics from them other than to direct me to

    their Terms Of Use.

    Facebook Terms Of Use state that they will not tolerate any threatening, harassing, hateful or bullying content.

    The challeng may lie in my interpretation of offensive material versus their interpretation.

    At "KIND CLASSES", however, I have initiated "SEARCH AND REPORT"

    I encourage all group members to spend 10 – 15 minutes

    once a day, once a week, once a month, once a year,

    or even just ONCE

    and browse through groups and report offensive ones.

    Browsing through groups titled "everybody hates….,we all hate…, nobody likes… is a good starting point for your search.I must emphasize though that titles may not always indicate the true nature of s group. A pleasant title can head a malicious group and some "everybody hates…" groups are just trivial – "everybody hates Monday",etc.

    YouTube videos can also be part of SEARCH AND REPORT.

    Last autumn before the school shooting in Finland,

    the shooter uploaded a violent video indicating his plan.

    The video was taken down shortly after the shooting.

    200,000 individuals had viewed it by then.

    How many had reported this violent video?

    YouTube does not answer those questions for private inidviduals – although I did make an attempt to retrieve this information. You do not have to be a member of "KIND CLASSES" to participate in "SEARCH AND REPORT"

    Some may argue that it is Facebook's job to monitor its website. Offensive groups, however, are still been seen online either beacause of ineffective action or simply legistics. If your child was the target of one of those groups, would you want it to remain online until an employee discovers it? A dedicated group of volunteers worldwide could catch much offensive material possibly as soon as it goes online. I encourage those participating in SEARCH AND REPORT to follow up with an email if they find using the "report" feature isn't getting a response. In the case of Facebook, you can email [email protected]

    They will require the following information –

    Group Name

    Group Url

    Administrator/Administrators – and if applicable – – Officer/Officers

    It only takes a moment of our time

    to copy/paste this information.

    I believe though that the fight against offensive groups works better in one's immmediate circle. If you are accquainted

    with a creator or a target of an offensive group

    then address it locally with the involved individuals, parents, schools, or local authorities – even if you choose to do so

    in an anonymous manner.

    The true key in the fight against bullying of any kind

    is to encourage our children to have empathy

    for each other and be accepting of differences.

    We hope for kinder classes!

    "KIND CLASSES" Facebook group – http://www.facebook.com/wall.php?id=5776047447
    "KIND CLASSES" WEbsite
    http://kindclasses.bravehost.com

  2. I realize that social networking sites

    have committed to work to remove offensive material.

    I created the Facebook group

    "KIND CLASSES"

    Committed to taking postive action

    Against school bullying

    And promoting kinder classes

    Everywhere.
    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5776047447
    At Facebook there is a "Report" feature at every group.

    I found,however,that using it has not always resulted

    in offensive groups being removed from Facebook.

    If a group is titled "we all hate…" or "Miss…,we all hate you and think you suck",contains insults,and targets a particular student or teacher, then I consider it to be an offensive group.Any group with malicious intent is an offensive group regardless of its title. Such groups which have been reported, however,often still remain online.I have contacted Facebook in additon to using the "Report" feature. They promise to review reported groups and see if they comply with their Terms Of Use. I have asked Facebook for specific information on the criteria they use to remove groups. I have received no specifics from them other than to direct me to

    their Terms Of Use.

    Facebook Terms Of Use state that they will not tolerate any threatening, harassing, hateful or bullying content.

    The challeng may lie in my interpretation of offensive material versus their interpretation.

    At "KIND CLASSES", however, I have initiated "SEARCH AND REPORT"

    I encourage all group members to spend 10 – 15 minutes

    once a day, once a week, once a month, once a year,

    or even just ONCE

    and browse through groups and report offensive ones.

    Browsing through groups titled "everybody hates….,we all hate…, nobody likes… is a good starting point for your search.I must emphasize though that titles may not always indicate the true nature of s group. A pleasant title can head a malicious group and some "everybody hates…" groups are just trivial – "everybody hates Monday",etc.

    YouTube videos can also be part of SEARCH AND REPORT.

    Last autumn before the school shooting in Finland,

    the shooter uploaded a violent video indicating his plan.

    The video was taken down shortly after the shooting.

    200,000 individuals had viewed it by then.

    How many had reported this violent video?

    YouTube does not answer those questions for private inidviduals – although I did make an attempt to retrieve this information. You do not have to be a member of "KIND CLASSES" to participate in "SEARCH AND REPORT"

    Some may argue that it is Facebook's job to monitor its website. Offensive groups, however, are still been seen online either beacause of ineffective action or simply legistics. If your child was the target of one of those groups, would you want it to remain online until an employee discovers it? A dedicated group of volunteers worldwide could catch much offensive material possibly as soon as it goes online. I encourage those participating in SEARCH AND REPORT to follow up with an email if they find using the "report" feature isn't getting a response. In the case of Facebook, you can email [email protected]

    They will require the following information –

    Group Name

    Group Url

    Administrator/Administrators – and if applicable – – Officer/Officers

    It only takes a moment of our time

    to copy/paste this information.

    I believe though that the fight against offensive groups works better in one's immmediate circle. If you are accquainted

    with a creator or a target of an offensive group

    then address it locally with the involved individuals, parents, schools, or local authorities – even if you choose to do so

    in an anonymous manner.

    The true key in the fight against bullying of any kind

    is to encourage our children to have empathy

    for each other and be accepting of differences.

    We hope for kinder classes!

    "KIND CLASSES" Facebook group – http://www.facebook.com/wall.php?id=5776047447
    "KIND CLASSES" WEbsite
    http://kindclasses.bravehost.com

  3. There is a new website for kids ages 5-18. It is the first and only secure web experience for kids. Schools must verify the child identification before the can become a member. There will be no 32 year olds posing as a 16 year old. All employes must have level 2 background checks. The site is age appropriate, content monitored, secure, predator free, cyberbulling controlled and best of all, it is free. Those who are concerned for their childrens safety should check this site out and sign their kids up. I did.
    http://www.safewave.org http://www.iland5.com

  4. There is actually a new social networking site called Humanbook.com, which was just launched last week in response to some of the recent cyber bullying incidents. The site was developed to facilitate the end of cyber-bullying. The "HumanBook Project," as they are calling it, is a mutually managed community that utilizes web 2.0 wiki technology. Basically, people are verified through their connections and associations to other users. If people in groups do not verify an individual's information, that person is flagged and pulled out of the group. No one can make false identities or duplicate identities on HumanBook.com. Like Wikipedia, more people in the system leads to the presence of more powerful and accurate information. Get involved with the project by signing up. The sooner we can build up this new site, the sooner we will have a social networking site that is truly safe from bullies and predators!

  5. There is actually a new social networking site called Humanbook.com, which was just launched last week in response to some of the recent cyber bullying incidents. The site was developed to facilitate the end of cyber-bullying. The "HumanBook Project," as they are calling it, is a mutually managed community that utilizes web 2.0 wiki technology. Basically, people are verified through their connections and associations to other users. If people in groups do not verify an individual's information, that person is flagged and pulled out of the group. No one can make false identities or duplicate identities on HumanBook.com. Like Wikipedia, more people in the system leads to the presence of more powerful and accurate information. Get involved with the project by signing up. The sooner we can build up this new site, the sooner we will have a social networking site that is truly safe from bullies and predators!

  6. Cristina,

    I have two daughters that are in middle school. All of their friends are on myspace and facebook. I have to admit I'm really scared for their well-being with all of this cyber-bullying stuff going on. With that said. I checked the humanbook site that cristina posted. Although I am still skeptical, this site seems like a safe bet, and a step forward for social networking sites.

  7. Cristina,

    I have two daughters that are in middle school. All of their friends are on myspace and facebook. I have to admit I'm really scared for their well-being with all of this cyber-bullying stuff going on. With that said. I checked the humanbook site that cristina posted. Although I am still skeptical, this site seems like a safe bet, and a step forward for social networking sites.

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