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Technology Awareness: Today’s technology and its impact on youth suicide

Technology Awareness: Today’s technology and its impact on youth suicide. Heather Segraves Jenkins, M.Ed. Administrator for Student Leadership and Involvement Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Straight from the headlines.

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Technology Awareness: Today’s technology and its impact on youth suicide

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  1. Technology Awareness:Today’s technology and its impact on youth suicide Heather Segraves Jenkins, M.Ed. Administrator for Student Leadership and Involvement Anne Arundel County Public Schools

  2. Straight from the headlines • In 2003, Ryan Patrick (13) from Vermont, hung himself after being bullied online. • In 2006, Megan Meier (13) from Missouri, killed herself after the mother of a former friend harassed her using a phony profile on MySpace.

  3. Straight from the headlines • In 2009, Jesse Logan (18) killed herself after nude pictures she sent to a boyfriend were emailed to others. • In January 2010, Phoebe Prince from Massachusetts, hung herself after receiving taunting text messages and being harassed on Facebook.

  4. Today’s Technology

  5. Benefits of Technology for Kids/Teens • Connection to family/friends • Aids in learning • Increases accessibility for some • Real-world skills

  6. Risks for Kids/Teens • Online predators • Identity theft • Cyberbullying • Immediate access to “sensitive information” • “Sexting”

  7. Suicide “Resources” on the Internet • Researchers from the Universities of Bristol, Oxford, and Manchester found that nearly half of websites showing up in queries of the four top search engines gave “how to” advice on taking one’s own life Source: http://news.smh.com.au/technology/suicide-internet-search-turns-up-how-to-advice-study-20080411-25li.html

  8. Suicide “Resources” on the Internet • Only 13% of those pages focused on suicide prevention • 1/5 of sites were dedicated suicide sites- ½ of these encouraged suicide • The three most frequently occurring websites in all search engines were pro-suicide Source: http://news.smh.com.au/technology/suicide-internet-search-turns-up-how-to-advice-study-20080411-25li.html

  9. Suicide “Resources” on the Internet

  10. Social Networking Sites • Facebook • MySpace • Twitter • Second Life

  11. Facebook • Social site • Can create a profile that is public or private • Can post photos, videos, links • Accumulate “friends” • Can join “groups” or become “fans” • Can participate in social games • Can “invite” people to events or to join groups

  12. Do you know the lingo? friend tag news feed wall poke block friend request Become a fan Join a group

  13. Let’s Take a Look http://www.facebook.com

  14. This is what your child could see… A Facebook search for “suicide”

  15. This is what your child could see… One of the pages from the search

  16. This is what your child could see… A site to commit virtual suicide

  17. This is what your child could see… Found searching “I hate myself”

  18. This is what your child could see… What if you don’t “rate” high?

  19. Memorial Pages Could this be attractive to some children?

  20. Facebook’s Policy • We do our best to keep Facebook safe, but we cannot guarantee it. We need your help to do that, which includes the following commitments… • You will not bully, intimidate, or harass any user. • You will not post content that: is hateful, threatening, or pornographic; incites violence; or contains nudity or graphic or gratuitous violence.

  21. Twitter • Social site • Can create a profile that is public or private • Communicate via 140 character messages • Can post links to articles, photos, etc. • Accumulate “friends” • Can join “groups”

  22. Do you know the lingo? tweet Re-tweet RT@username Followers #subject trending #followfriday Direct message

  23. Let’s Take a Look http://www.twitter.com

  24. Twitter’s Policy *Violence and Threats: You may not publish or post direct, specific threats of violence against others What about teasing? What about starting rumors?

  25. Second Life • Social site • Create an avatar to represent you • Visit different “islands” based on subject matter • Has its own • currency • Teen version • of Second Life

  26. You Tube • Video exchange website • Upload and download videos on any subject matter • Views for each video are tracked • Can search videos • http://www.youtube.com

  27. You Tube- Search for “Suicide” • Suicide Jump from House • 1,553,125 views • How to Commit Suicide • 981,048 views • Teen Suicide Letter • 275,830 views • 19 Year Old Commits Suicide Live • 996,987 • How to Commit Suicide the Cool Way • 118,688 • As of 5/4/10 It’s a Simple Click Away!

  28. Cell Phones, iPhones, etc. • Did you know? • Today’s cell phones have the capability to let you send text messages, video messages, and picture messages. • You can surf the web on a cell phone and even the iPod Touch.

  29. Cell Phones, iPhones, etc. • Did you know? • You can access Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube on applications that are downloaded to your phone. • You can use Facebookand Twitter via your phone STRICTLY through text messaging.

  30. Cell Phones, iPhones, etc. • Did you know? • “Sexting” is a term used to describe sending explicit photos or text messages over the phone. • The courts are now dealing with issues of whether or not children who pass on explicit photos of other children can be convicted of a sex crime.

  31. So What Do We Do? • Technology is NOT going away. • To quote G.I. Joe- “Knowing is Half the Battle” • Give clear, simple, easy-to-read house rules. • Look into safeguarding programs/options your online service provider might offer. • Talk to your children about what’s going on online.

  32. So What Do We Do? • Talk to your children about not revealing personal information. • Talk to your children about telling a trusted adult about inappropriate messages on the phone, computer, etc. It’s important to save the messages and contact local law enforcement. • Keep the computer in a family room or another open area of your house.

  33. So What Do We Do? • Know who your children are exchanging emails with or who they are talking to online and on the phone. • Check your phone bill to see who your child is talking and texting. • Look for the warning signs of depression and suicide and SEEK HELP for your child. • Adapted from www.netsmartz.org/safety/safetytips.htm

  34. Other Resources • Department of Education- www.ed.gov/technology/safety.html • www.safekids.com • www.safeteens.com • www.cybersmart.org

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