Education and Safety Information for the Use of Today’s Technology

1. Education and Safety Information for the Use of Today’s Technology Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center 15 Riverside Drive NE St. Cloud, MN 56304 (320) 251-4357

2. Advancing Technology • 4 out of 5 teens carry a cell phone • (www.cbsnews.com) • Cell phones are no longer just a phone • Internet • Text/Chat • Music • Videos • Games • Calendar • Upload Photos

3. Preferred Contact Methods • Text Message: 54% • Call on cell phone: 38% • Face to face: 33% • Landline phone: 30% • Social Network Site: 25% • Instant Message: 24% • Email: 11% • Pewresearch.org

4. The Texting Epidemic • 72%-88% of teen cell phone users are text messagers • 1 in 3 teens sends more than 100 texts a day • Boys tend to send and receive less text messages (30) whereas girls tend to send and receive more text messages (80) • Pewresearch.org

5. “Sexting” • Definition • “Sexting” is sending, uploading, receiving, or forwarding sexually explicit videos, or text messages. Photos or videos are often taken using camera phones or Web Cams and passed along through cell phones and computers using the internet. • (National Child Safety Council)

6. Statistics • According to a 2009 survey by the National Campaign to Support Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 20 percent of teens admit to “sexting.” • (knowledgebase.findlaw.com) • 1 in 5 teens (13-19) reported having sent a sexually suggestive image or message. • (www.NetSmartz.org)

7. Famous “Sexting” Scandals • Eva Longoria-Parker/Tony Parker • Sandra Bullock/Jesse James • Tiger Woods • Chris Brown/Rihanna • Brett Favre • Effects? • Divorce, endless media scrutiny, domestic violence, loss of sponsorship, sex rehab, fines, emotional and psychological pain

8. Why do adolescents engage in “sexting”? • Pressured by friends • Gain popularity or fame • Be funny, joke around • Prove commitment to significant other, or impress someone • Hurt someone or get even • Some adolescents are responding to a sexual text message that has been received • Some are offered money • Adolescents make the decision without thinking about how their futures may be affected • It is unknown how quickly information can spread via cell phones and the internet • (www.NetSmartz.org)

9. Legal Consequences • Unknowingly opening a sexually explicit photo from an underage male or female can lead to child pornography charges. • “Sexting” a non-consenting person may lead to harassment charges. • Adolescents who send the inappropriate pictures may face charges of producing, possessing, and/or distributing child pornography.

10. Scenario • Example: If Lisa takes a nude picture of herself and sends it to John, she may be charged with the production and distribution of child pornography. If John forwards the image to Tim, John may be charged with the possession and distribution of child pornography. And since Tim has the picture in his possession, he could also be charged. • As long as the image circulates, anyone with it may face charges.

11. Child Pornography Charge • Felony child pornography charges • Lead to a lifetime on the sex offender registry • Jail time • Fines • Serious reputation damage • FYI: A felony is 1+ year in jail and a minimum of a $3,000 fine, or both. • It is nearly impossible to find employment and housing if you are registered as a sex offender. • (www.NetSmartz.org)

12. Emotional Consequences • Adolescents may face social repercussions such as being judged or excluded by their peers, communities and families. • Adolescents that send the images may become targets of mean comments, rumors and harassment. • The image will follow them forever, damaging academic, social and employment opportunities. • (www.NetSmartz.org)

13. How to Protect Yourself • NEVER take or send sexually suggestive photos (nude or semi-nude). • Once you send or post anything over an electronic device (internet, cell phone, etc.) it is no longer private. • Think about the message before you press send • You could be creating a reputation that you cannot escape. • Consider the victims • Many suffer humiliation, depression, and some even attempt suicide. • Do not allow anyone to pressure you into “sexting” • Report any “sexting” you receive to a trusted adult • Do not delete the message, it could be an important piece of evidence in a criminal investigation • Make it stop • If you have asked someone to stop sending you sexually explicit photos or material, block their number from your cell phone. • (National Child Safety Council)

14. Cyber-bullying • Definition • Cyber-bullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. • (kidshealth.org)

15. Cyber Bullying: Breaking It Down • Cyber-bullying can take many forms • A threatening email • Nasty instant messages • Repeated negative text messages sent to a cell phone • A website set up to mock others • “Borrowing” someone’s screen name and pretending to be them while posting a message • Forwarding “private” messages, pictures, or videos to others • (www.isafe.org)

16. Why Cyber-bullying? • It can be easier to commit than other bullying because the offender does not have to confront the victim in person. • Intentional online bullying can be a sign that the bully is feeling hurt, frustrated, or angry, which causes them to lash out. • (kidshealth.org)

17. Legal Consequences • As of now, there are minimal laws against cyber-bullying. • It is left up to school policies to handle these cases • What policies does your school have in place? • We all have to work together on this VERY important issue!

18. What to do when you are being bullied via technology • Tell someone • Speak up until you find someone to help • Walk away • You can always step away from the computer (or turn off your phone) • Ignoring bullies is the best way to take away their power • Report it to your service provider • Sites like Facebook, MySpace, or YouTube take it seriously when people use their sites to post cruel comments, or set up fake accounts • The site administrator may block the bully from using the site in the future • (kidshealth.org)

19. What to do when you are being bullied via technology • Block the bully • Most devices have settings that allow you to block the individual from sending further messages • Don’t respond • Resist the urge to fight back • Ask an adult to intervene • Be safe online • Password protect your cell phone and online sites, change passwords often • Share your password with only people you trust • (kidshealth.org)

20. “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can kill.”

21. The Devastating Effects of Cyber-bullying • Phoebe Prince • 15 years old, Massachusetts • Tormented for 3 months by nine students via text messages and Facebook because she was dating an older football player • Took her own life on January 14th, 2010 • Tyler Clementi • 18 years old, New Jersey • Was secretly taped having sexual relations with another male, which was broadcasted online. • Jumped off of a bridge on September 22, 2010

22. Cyber-bullying and Suicide • Youth who are bullied, or who bully others are at an increased risk for suicidal thoughts, attempts, and completed suicides. • Research Study: 2,000 middle school students selected, 20% of students who were cyber-bullied reported thinking about suicide, while 19% attempted suicide • Victims of cyber-bullying were almost twice as likely to have attempted suicide compared to youth who had not experienced cyber-bullying • www.cyberbullying.us

23. Other Effects of Cyber-bullying • Depression • Anxiety • Low self esteem • Often feel unsafe at home and in public places • Alcohol/chemical dependency • (safeguardyourkids.com)

24. Cyber-bullying and GLBT • Approximately ½ of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth are regular victims of cyber-bullying • GLBT adolescents fear that there might be retribution by tattling, so their need for help goes unrecognized • Fear telling parents because they might restrict use of technology which is often the “lifeline to the outside world” for many GLBT students who have been made fun of by peers • (www.livescience.com)

25. Social Networking Sites • Social Networking Sites (SNS) create online communities • Provide a way for adolescents to express themselves • Keep in contact with friends and family • Share photos, videos, personal updates, etc. • (www.ftc.gov)

26. Dangers of Social Networking Sites • Give easy access to online predators • You never know who is on the other side of the computer screen • Displaying too much personal information • (www.ftc.gov)

27. Safety Tips for Social Networking Sites • Do NOT post your full name, address or phone number. • Be cautious about posting information that can be used to identify you or locate you offline (name of school, sports teams, where you work or hang out). • Be careful when updating your statuses • Post information that you are comfortable with others seeing and knowing about you. Many people can see your page • parents, teachers, the college you want to apply to next year, and the job you might want to apply for in five years, etc.

28. Safety Tips for Social Networking Sites • Once you post it online, you can’t take it back. • Consider not posting a photo. It can be altered and broadcasted in ways you may not be happy about. Or someone could identify you by what you are wearing. • Be wary if a new online friend wants to meet you in person • Trust your gut if you have suspicions. If you feel threatened by someone or uncomfortable because of something online, tell an adult you trust and report it to the police and the social networking site. • Predators often say nice things to make you feel important. A natural part of being human is that we like to get compliments and feel good about ourselves. Predators will take advantage of that be sure to trust your gut feeling! If you are not sure if it is a safe situation, ask someone! • You could end up preventing someone else from being a victim. • (www.ftc.gov)

29. References • www.Cbsnews.com • National Child Safety Council • www.athinline.org • www.Knowledgebase.findlaw.com • www.NetSmartz.org • www.kidshealth.org • www.msnbc.com • www.YouTube.com • www.ftc.gov • www.isafe.org • www.Pewresearch.org • www.cyberbullying.us • www.livescience.com • www.Safeguardyourkids.com • Wright County Court Services & Brian Stoll