Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sexting Victim is also the Perpetrator - ChildLaw Blog
Sexting Victim is also the Perpetrator - ChildLaw BlogI hope that the NJ AG will follow-through and I offer my help in any way she may need it. we need a solution that isn't too hot or too cold, just right.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
A debate swirls over teens' lurid pictures - NJ.com
A debate swirls over teens' lurid pictures - NJ.comWe need two new laws and we are working on proposing an enhancementof the harrassment laws for when students pass around these images to hurt their target and one that reduces the criminality when young people possess images of each other and harrassment is not implicated.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Twitter - what is it and why should we care?
Twitter / HomeI am using Twitter to share short packets of info with people who want to receive it.
We are using it to organize my cyberarmy of moms and am trying to get the knack of it for other things. Join twitter and follow me and wiremoms. Let's figure it out together.
We are using it to organize my cyberarmy of moms and am trying to get the knack of it for other things. Join twitter and follow me and wiremoms. Let's figure it out together.
DAILY EXCEPTION
DAILY EXCEPTIONI rarely "do" politics. I am too busdy on cybersafety and security issues to spend the time to understand who is real, and who is blowing smoke. I recently met this political analyst on a flight and became a quick and permanent fan.
My guess is, after reading his blog, you will too. You can even follow him on twitter at dailyexpression.
My guess is, after reading his blog, you will too. You can even follow him on twitter at dailyexpression.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Students Sue Prosector in Cellphone Photos Case - NYTimes.com
Students Sue Prosector in Cellphone Photos Case - NYTimes.comBetween a rock and a hard place...the laws are either too hot or too cold and nothing is just right. Prosecutors have some discretion, but generally the kids who pass around images can be charged with state or federal harrassment misdemeanors or felonies (often a slap on the wrist) or with sexual exploitation of minors (child porn crimes). The conviction under the sex crimes often means their becoming a registered sex offender.
I would have thought that mandatory counseling would be a good approach rather than sex crime conviction.
what do we do?
I would have thought that mandatory counseling would be a good approach rather than sex crime conviction.
what do we do?
Keeper League GM: Fantasy Baseball Keeper League and Fantasy Football Dynasty League Strategies
Keeper League GM: Fantasy Baseball Keeper League and Fantasy Football Dynasty League StrategiesLooking for a terrific blog/site on fantasy sports? This is as good as is comes! (And it's created by my son, Michael Caprio. :-))
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
One of WiredSafety's child porn busts, years ago.
Mexico City, October 12, 2001
Press Release No. 690/01
Puebla
FRANCISCO JAVIER MUĆOZ CANO ALVAREZ WAS ARRESTED
· He worked on child pornography
· His arrest was thanks to an accusation via e-mail from France
Due to an accusation via e-mail by Mr. Pedro Velderrain Zazueta, Director of the International Division of WiredSafety in Mexico, agents of the Federal Investigation Police initiated an investigation which derived in the arrest in the city of Puebla of Francisco Javier MuƱoz Cano Ćlvarez, who worked on the production and sale of pornographic material that involves minors.
In his accusation Velderrain Zazueta stated that his organization received reports from a person who detected an Internet page in which they requested children in the city of Puebla to take pictures of them naked.
Likewise, via inter-institutional cooperation they had knowledge that the Unit of Investigation of Delinquency in Technologies of Information of the Direction General of the Judiciary Police in Madrid, Spain has precedents of a message offering compact discs with child pornography of an e-mail account in which they sell digital pictures of pornographic and pedophilia contents.
Due to the previous, agents of the Federal Investigation Police subscribed to the Sub Attorney's Office of Criminal Proceedings "C", along with experts of the Institution, observed the search warrant granted by the Fourth District Judge of that State, due to the inquiry DGMPE/C/IV4/154/00, initiated for the crime of child pornography.
The agents secured a computer, 351 magnetic discs, 20 compact discs and 160 printed images. The described material was obtained through Internet and shows minors in acts of corporal and sexual exhibitionism.
It is important to mention that today criminal action was exercised against Francisco Javier MuƱoz Cano Ćlvarez, declaring before the judicial authority in which he ratified the confession made before the Federal Prosecutor.
Press Release No. 690/01
Puebla
FRANCISCO JAVIER MUĆOZ CANO ALVAREZ WAS ARRESTED
· He worked on child pornography
· His arrest was thanks to an accusation via e-mail from France
Due to an accusation via e-mail by Mr. Pedro Velderrain Zazueta, Director of the International Division of WiredSafety in Mexico, agents of the Federal Investigation Police initiated an investigation which derived in the arrest in the city of Puebla of Francisco Javier MuƱoz Cano Ćlvarez, who worked on the production and sale of pornographic material that involves minors.
In his accusation Velderrain Zazueta stated that his organization received reports from a person who detected an Internet page in which they requested children in the city of Puebla to take pictures of them naked.
Likewise, via inter-institutional cooperation they had knowledge that the Unit of Investigation of Delinquency in Technologies of Information of the Direction General of the Judiciary Police in Madrid, Spain has precedents of a message offering compact discs with child pornography of an e-mail account in which they sell digital pictures of pornographic and pedophilia contents.
Due to the previous, agents of the Federal Investigation Police subscribed to the Sub Attorney's Office of Criminal Proceedings "C", along with experts of the Institution, observed the search warrant granted by the Fourth District Judge of that State, due to the inquiry DGMPE/C/IV4/154/00, initiated for the crime of child pornography.
The agents secured a computer, 351 magnetic discs, 20 compact discs and 160 printed images. The described material was obtained through Internet and shows minors in acts of corporal and sexual exhibitionism.
It is important to mention that today criminal action was exercised against Francisco Javier MuƱoz Cano Ćlvarez, declaring before the judicial authority in which he ratified the confession made before the Federal Prosecutor.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Cyber-security | Sex, lies and the internet | The Economist
Cyber-security | Sex, lies and the internet | The Economistsometimes making it easy is the best way to change things. I loved this article and was honored to have them cite to us.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
"Happy Slapping": PrĆ¼geltrend erobert US-Schulen - pressetext.schweiz
"Happy Slapping": PrĆ¼geltrend erobert US-Schulen - pressetext.schweizonline fight videos started in Europe.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Sexting Can Lead to Death...the story of Jessie Logan
Sexting Can Lead to DeathThis morning I appeared on the Today Show with Matt Lauer and a very special mother, Cynthia Logan, to discuss what lead her daughter (Jessica) to suicide. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29546030/
Jessica was a bright, funny, great teen who lived in Ohio. When she turned 18, she was dating a 19 year old and sent a few nude photos of herself to him using her cell phone. When they broke up, he sent it to at least one 16-year-old girl who sent it to others. (He now claims that the 16-year-old took it form his cell phone without his knowledge.) The image made the rounds of Jessica’s school and the other community schools. What had been a private communication became public humiliation.
The students were cruel. They called her names and made fun of her. They dubbed her the “porn queen” and she became “that girl.” She confided in her mom, but only told her bits and pieces, never the whole scenario of the torment. Cynthia offered to take her out of school and homeschool her until graduation, but Jessica wanted to stick it out.
Jessie had sought help from her school’s school resource officer (the police officer assigned to her school). But he didn’t offer to do anything other than contact the girl who started the harassment and ask her to take down the images and leave Jessica alone. (Cynthia said that the SRO is now claiming that he gave Jessica the choice between his contacting the other girl and pressing charges, but denies that his claim is true.)
“No one would help!” When Jessie’s mom told me that, I had chills. Cynthia’s simple words and her soft tone (muffled by her trying to hold back tears) remind us that “there but for the grace of God” go all of us. Jessica didn’t want her mom to contact the other parents. (Targets of cyberbullying never do.) They didn’t know what to do.
Then Jessie came up with a plan. She would recount her story on TV to try and keep others from doing things they will regret. So, she appeared (in shadow with her voice disguised) on the local NBC affiliate in Cincinnati last year to help educate other teens about the risks of sexting.
While the TV piece was able to reach so many, the ones who mattered the most – Jessica’s harassers – were unmoved. The harassment continued. The teens were relentless. Cynthia knew that Jessica was hurting, but didn’t know how much. The school would send truancy reports home, but failed to share anything about the ongoing harassment. Why? That remains unanswered.
But Jessica stuck it out and graduated with her class. To Cynthia, it looked like things would improve. When a friend of Jessica’s asked her for a ride to the funeral of a fellow student, Mitch, who had killed himself Jessica became more troubled. “Why,” she asked her mother, “would a teen take his own life?” They talked about it. Cynthia said you never know what goes through someone’s mind when they consider something like this. Jessie seemed angry about Mitch’s suicide. But no one could have known that Jessica had ulterior motives when asking why this young man took his own life. She was looking to see if that was a viable choice for her.
The school never offered counseling for the other students after the young man’s suicide. They never offered counseling for Jessie. They said they couldn’t do anything because she was 18 and that students attended school at their own risk. They took the easy way out. And they failed Jessie..
Jessica went to the funeral with her friend, but didn’t come right home. Cynthia had to call her to get her to come home for dinner. She held the memorial information about the young man in her hand when she came through the doors and tossed it at Cynthia. She seemed agitated, angry. But Cynthia was used to this when things troubled Jessica and thought it was to be expected after the memorial service. The table was set as Jessie climbed the stairs to take a shower.
Cynthia was on a call with her brother when she walked down the upstairs hall. She passed Jessie coming out of the shower. She had no sense that anything was especially wrong.
But that was the last time Cynthia saw her daughter alive.
Cynthia walked upstairs and knocked at Jessie’s door. (She had a knock and open the door policy.) When she didn’t get an answer, she opened it to find Jessica’s cell phone in the middle of the room. She scanned the room looking for Jessica and the closet door was open. Her daughter hanging by her neck from the clothing rod.
Her husband bounded up the stairs at Cynthia’s screams, pulling out a pen knife to cut his daughter down. Jessica was already cold and blue. Their attempts to resuscitate her were futile.
Now Cynthia wants answers. What are the laws? How can she hold the school accountable? Can she make the teens responsible for this harassment apologize before their peers? How can she make sure that Jessica did not die in vain?
As soon as I heard her story, I knew this was something that would change the landscape in cybersafety. Like the story of Megan Meier and her suicide following the harassment of a neighborhood mom posing as a cute sixteen-year-old, Jessica’s name will mean something to teens and preteens.
It combines cyberbullying and the damage that teens can do to other teens when armed with embarrassing and private images and information. It makes the risks of sexting and cyberbullying real.
Sexting is a growing and serious problem. It’s when young people take nude pictures or images of them engaging in real or simulated sex acts on their cell phones or webcams and then send them to others by cell phone or webcams. About 20% of the teen girls we polled said they had taken a nude or sexually explicit cell phone picture or webcam shot of themselves and shared it with others (most often their boyfriends). 14% of the boys share these “private” images with others when they break up with their girlfriends. And 44% of the boys polled admitted to having seen at least one of these sexual images of a classmate.
22% of the girls polled said that they regretted whatever they had recorded on their webcam and 71% use them in their bedroom. And older teens and young adults are even more at risk, with almost 40% of the teens over 18 and college students we polled said they had shared a nude or sexual image with their boyfriend or girlfriend online or by cell phone.
Your daughter could be next.
Beginning immediately, I will be working with Cynthia and her husband Burt to spread awareness about Jessie and the consequences of cyberbullying and the risks of texting. We will be working with Jessie’s friends and my Teenangels to develop a campaign to reach teens and change behavior.
The new StopCyberbullying Coalition will bring individuals, companies, policymakers, educators, healthcare and mental health professionals and media together to address these issues. It will explore all aspects of cyberbullying and how sexting increases the risks of harassment and personal humiliation.
Interested in helping this become the last cyberbullying-related suicide? Want to help us spread the word about sexting and risks to young people online? Join us at WiredSafety.org. We need your help. Help us make sure your child won’t be next.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Jesse Logan - When Cyberbullying Kills....
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Friday, March 06, 2009
Long Island Teen Suing Facebook For Millions - wcbstv.com
Long Island Teen Suing Facebook For Millions - wcbstv.comTeenangels provide CBS with cybersafety tips.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Two Lawyers Fight Cyber-Bullying - National Business News - Portfolio.com
Two Lawyers Fight Cyber-Bullying - National Business News - Portfolio.comThis case will be interesting to watch....
Seven Lies We Tell Ourselves About Facebook | Newsweek Culture | Newsweek.com
Seven Lies We Tell Ourselves About Facebook | Newsweek Culture | Newsweek.comI loved this article! When everyone spends time each and every day changing their status - like we care! But we do! (I do it once in awhile because it's the only FB application I know how to use from my blackberry.)
Monday, March 02, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
NorthJersey.com: POLL: N.J. poised to enact tough Internet predator bill
Senator Menendez (D-NJ) has been leading in cybersafety since I first begane working with him in 1998. He is a remarkable person and has been very helpful with our work to protect children and all consumers online. In addition, the NJ AG has been extremely active in her own right since she took office. NorthJersey.com: POLL: N.J. poised to enact tough Internet predator bill
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Microsoft Turns to Girl Scouts for Internet Safety - For LMK online safety campaign - Softpedia
Microsoft Turns to Girl Scouts for Internet Safety - For LMK online safety campaign - SoftpediaMy only correction is that MS did not tap my expertise, the Girl Scouts did. Microsoft sponsored their project.
Get Game Smart: Video Contest
Get Game Smart: Video ContestPLAY IT SAFE AND WIN!
Do you love video games? Then Get Game Smart with Victoria Justice, honorary Teenangel and star of “Spectacular!” the movie and Zoey 101! Watch her video to learn all about the Get Game Smart Video Contest and team up with your parents to tell us how you create fun and safe gaming experiences in your home with a brief, creative video. You could win amazing prizes including an Xbox 360, Zune digital media player, digital camera, $1,000 cash and more! Visit http://www.getgamesmart.com/spotlight/videocontest for details. Deadline for submissions is March 6 so enter today!
This is a great way for families to learn about safe gaming. shoot a video together and send it in. who kows? maybe yours will be selected and you can join the advisory board for Xbox!
Do you love video games? Then Get Game Smart with Victoria Justice, honorary Teenangel and star of “Spectacular!” the movie and Zoey 101! Watch her video to learn all about the Get Game Smart Video Contest and team up with your parents to tell us how you create fun and safe gaming experiences in your home with a brief, creative video. You could win amazing prizes including an Xbox 360, Zune digital media player, digital camera, $1,000 cash and more! Visit http://www.getgamesmart.com/spotlight/videocontest for details. Deadline for submissions is March 6 so enter today!
This is a great way for families to learn about safe gaming. shoot a video together and send it in. who kows? maybe yours will be selected and you can join the advisory board for Xbox!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Let Me Know: Life Online - Home
Let Me Know: Life Online - Homethe parents section of the new Girl Scout site on online safety... a video of Parry for parents
Parent needs help with cyberbullying threats -- Without Paying - WSJ.com
Parent needs help with cyberbullying threats - WSJ.comMoms and dads are frightened when their kids are targeted. Parry provided some advice to a mom through a wonderful journalist at the Wall Street Journal
IT News Online > - - Girl Scouts of the USA and Microsoft Launch Online Safety Campaign
IT News Online > - - Girl Scouts of the USA and Microsoft Launch Online Safety Campaignspread the work and the link. we're all in this together!
Local Durham Teen Part of New Internet Safety Project - Durham County - MyNC.com
Local Durham Teen Part of New Internet Safety Project - Durham County - MyNC.comThe Girl Scouts project takes cybersafety and responsible use and makes it real and practical for girls, boys and families. When asked to help guide and create this project last year, I was honored (as a former Girl Scout), delighted (thinking that I would get thin mint cookies at a discount) and excited (2.4 million girls spreading the cybersafety message!).
Visit the site and check back every month as new modules are launched. Together we can all learn something and share what we learn.
Visit the site and check back every month as new modules are launched. Together we can all learn something and share what we learn.
CampaƱa y concurso relacionados con los video juegos - 02/11/2009 - El Nuevo Herald
CampaƱa y concurso relacionados con los video juegos - 02/11/2009 - El Nuevo HeraldGetGameSmart.com is holding a contest on safe gaming for families that submit videos about how they stay safe and have fun gaming.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Wake Up Call: Facebook Isn’t A Safe Haven
Wake Up Call: Facebook Isn’t A Safe HavenI think Facebook is safer. I always advise clients never to say "safe." it sounds too much like a promise rather than an adjective. Teens tell me they feel Facebook is safer too. There is something about knowing that someone knew your e-mail address at least at the time the account was created that makes people better behaved.
The sex ring announced mirrors one we worked under our former charity name, in 1999. Reader's Digest chronicled the story and it was found that the man blackmailing the students and posing as a woman online, was a school administrator in NY. The article wss called Angels Online and was published in the US in March 2000.
The same scams get recycled over and over. There is much to learn from reviewing history, even if that "history" is only 8 years ago.
The sex ring announced mirrors one we worked under our former charity name, in 1999. Reader's Digest chronicled the story and it was found that the man blackmailing the students and posing as a woman online, was a school administrator in NY. The article wss called Angels Online and was published in the US in March 2000.
The same scams get recycled over and over. There is much to learn from reviewing history, even if that "history" is only 8 years ago.
Student Fights Record of ‘Cyberbullying’ - NYTimes.com
Student Fights Record of ‘Cyberbullying’ - NYTimes.com
Students have been suspended and expelled based on cyberbullying charges for many years. In most cases, the student wins in these lawsuits, unless there is a written and signed policy about cyberbullying in the school.
These rest on the fact that schools (public schools) are restricted by the First Amendment (as governmental bodies) and although they have more leeway than other governmental agencies, are limited by the geographical range, duration of the schools day and related aspects of the actions to the school itself.
Think of it this way. If two kids get into a fight at my house on a Sunday picnic, can the school discipline them Monday morning? No.
It's the same way here.
The only difference is that the student took on a teacher, instead of another student. That changes things a bit, but not completely.
The case cited by the school administrator is an old one, from the time of the Vietnam war, and doesn't apply here.
The reach of the Internet into and out of school complicates things.
Now, the question will be in what way can schools discipline students for what they do outside of the school, after hours and on the Internet to a teacher or other school administrator?
This and other legally-related cyberbullying challenge information will appear in our StopCyberbullying Toolkit, that comes out on feb 25th, free for schools. Along with $1 million dollars worth of content to help schools address cyberbullying for all ages, school administrators, parents and guidance counselors.
Students have been suspended and expelled based on cyberbullying charges for many years. In most cases, the student wins in these lawsuits, unless there is a written and signed policy about cyberbullying in the school.
These rest on the fact that schools (public schools) are restricted by the First Amendment (as governmental bodies) and although they have more leeway than other governmental agencies, are limited by the geographical range, duration of the schools day and related aspects of the actions to the school itself.
Think of it this way. If two kids get into a fight at my house on a Sunday picnic, can the school discipline them Monday morning? No.
It's the same way here.
The only difference is that the student took on a teacher, instead of another student. That changes things a bit, but not completely.
The case cited by the school administrator is an old one, from the time of the Vietnam war, and doesn't apply here.
The reach of the Internet into and out of school complicates things.
Now, the question will be in what way can schools discipline students for what they do outside of the school, after hours and on the Internet to a teacher or other school administrator?
This and other legally-related cyberbullying challenge information will appear in our StopCyberbullying Toolkit, that comes out on feb 25th, free for schools. Along with $1 million dollars worth of content to help schools address cyberbullying for all ages, school administrators, parents and guidance counselors.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
ABC News: Lost Connections Spark Teen Tech Rage
ABC News: Lost Connections Spark Teen Tech RageKids are now killing others when disconnected from technology they love. Perspective and understanding of how kids feel about their communication tools are crucial. We have new research on this which we will present at our wired kids summit at the Senate in DC Feb 25th.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Prep Tuesday: Athletes start to see online-profile pitfalls
Prep Tuesday: Athletes start to see online-profile pitfallsAre coahces and college recruiters viewing athelete's profiles.
The Data Privacy Imperative : Microsoft Celebrates Data Privacy Day This Wednesday
The Data Privacy Imperative : Microsoft Celebrates Data Privacy Day This WednesdayBrittany Bacon, one of our original five teenangels joins heavy weights in privacy at Data Privacy Day.
Virginia bill could help schools punish cyberbullying | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com
Virginia bill could help schools punish cyberbullying | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.comVirginia may join the ranks of California, Vermont, NJ and Missouri (among other states) with state cyberbullying laws.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
TheCabin.net ·· Challenging assumptions about online predators 01/30/09
TheCabin.net ·· Challenging assumptions about online predators 01/30/09how many sexual predators are too few to worry about?
How to outsmart a teenager - San Jose Mercury News
How to outsmart a teenager - San Jose Mercury News we need software for everything? Parry doesn't think so!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Sending nude photos of myself is a crime? Teens surveyed say that's news to them - Metro - cleveland.com
Sending nude photos of myself is a crime? Teens surveyed say that's news to them - Metro - cleveland.com I have been watching this case. So many jurists don't get it and either sentence too hard or barely slap the kids on the wrist. When this case was brought to my attention as part of a Today Show appearance I did last week, I was intrigued.
After checking further, we decided that this judge needs national attention.
I would ask even more than if they knew it was a crime. I would ask them if they knew what being added to a sex offenders list would do to their future?
At our WiredKids Summit next month, this judge will be honored. I wish we had more like him.
After checking further, we decided that this judge needs national attention.
I would ask even more than if they knew it was a crime. I would ask them if they knew what being added to a sex offenders list would do to their future?
At our WiredKids Summit next month, this judge will be honored. I wish we had more like him.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
the WiredKids Best of the Web Awards
For the last ten years young people have nominated their favorite websites for the WiredKids Best of the Web Award. And for ten years moms have reviewed them for their approval. The list shortens with each step, but few pass the final scrutiny of Internet lawyer, Parry Aftab, to determine which sites understand safety and responsibility when young people are involved.
This year, more than 50,000 students were polled. They nominated thousands of sites, but only 143 were nominated by enough students to qualify. Our team of moms then reviewed the 143 sites and cut them back to 62 sites. Only a handful in each age category passed Parry’s scrutiny. Those will be announced on February 25th in Washington, DC.
Each year, since the WiredKids Best of the Web Awards were launched, the process has forecasted trends in use of the Internet by kids, tweens and teens. Ten years ago, the final nomination list was hundreds of websites long. The same one made the grade. The websites controlled youth traffic or their hearts, other than those that controlled their traffic and hearts offline (Disney, Nickelodeon and Sesame Street).
Then, as AIM grew in popularity and the Internet crash and COPPA (the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) took its toll and children’s sites dropped like flies, fewer sites held their interest. They nominated the same 50 sites and had no major loyalty to any one of them, other than Yahoo, AOL and AIM and the same offline cast of characters. Some students told us that they didn’t have a favorite site. Those were lean years in the industry, but forecasted the growth of communication tools and networks driving youth Internet use.
In late 2004 and 2005 as social networking grew in popularity, MySpace, Xanga and LiveJournal jumped to the top of the nomination pack, but never got past moms or Parry. Virtual worlds like Neopets, Webkinz and Club Penguin gained in popularity, but didn’t have their counterparts with older preteens and teens. Only Google was on all age-groups’ favorite lists.
At the same time, the kids Internet industry figured out new business models that had failed in years past. Club Penguin succeeded when others failed in the subscription model. Webkinz used offline sales of plush animals to fuel their online community for kids and preteens. KidZui got the formula right when it built an “Internet for kids” that allowed fun and age-appropriate Youtube videos and avatar social networking tools where kids can share their favorite websites, without sharing their personal information. Old ideas, spun with gold this time around. Parents are finally ready to pay for content and communities if they feel their children enjoy them and are safe.
But this year shows changes once again. More sites have gained the youth loyalty in the earlier years than ever before. Why? The overwhelming popularity of Webkinz and Club Penguin has spurred the development of more virtual worlds. And Facebook has become the single most popular website among teens. Until the recent economic downturn, the VCs and investors have responded to the success of Club Penguin (acquired by Disney for about 700 million plus earnouts) and the retail plush sales of Webkinz and the huge returns in networks like Bebo (acquired by Time Warner for 800 million dollars last year). The richness of choice is better than it has been in years. Hopefully, given the small pricetag to parents for what their kids want in a virtual world or what parents want in safe communities, this growth and the investment in our kids online will survive the general economic climate.
Most sites are biting the COPPA bullet and going through the steps needed to allow preteens to build communities. Many are learning innovative ways of giving them community without sharing personal information with others. Safety has caught on. Sadly, Parry has been knocking more off the list than usual. While the sites want to do the right thing, they are often adopting “do it yourself” methods that violate the law or put kids at risk unintentionally. Best practice standards for the kids Internet industry are new and require professional guidance.
But the ones that do it right for the kids, their parents and Parry are winners and will continue to lead the pack. In the 8 years since COPPA became effective there is one thing for certain – The Kids Internet Industry is Back!
This year, more than 50,000 students were polled. They nominated thousands of sites, but only 143 were nominated by enough students to qualify. Our team of moms then reviewed the 143 sites and cut them back to 62 sites. Only a handful in each age category passed Parry’s scrutiny. Those will be announced on February 25th in Washington, DC.
Each year, since the WiredKids Best of the Web Awards were launched, the process has forecasted trends in use of the Internet by kids, tweens and teens. Ten years ago, the final nomination list was hundreds of websites long. The same one made the grade. The websites controlled youth traffic or their hearts, other than those that controlled their traffic and hearts offline (Disney, Nickelodeon and Sesame Street).
Then, as AIM grew in popularity and the Internet crash and COPPA (the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) took its toll and children’s sites dropped like flies, fewer sites held their interest. They nominated the same 50 sites and had no major loyalty to any one of them, other than Yahoo, AOL and AIM and the same offline cast of characters. Some students told us that they didn’t have a favorite site. Those were lean years in the industry, but forecasted the growth of communication tools and networks driving youth Internet use.
In late 2004 and 2005 as social networking grew in popularity, MySpace, Xanga and LiveJournal jumped to the top of the nomination pack, but never got past moms or Parry. Virtual worlds like Neopets, Webkinz and Club Penguin gained in popularity, but didn’t have their counterparts with older preteens and teens. Only Google was on all age-groups’ favorite lists.
At the same time, the kids Internet industry figured out new business models that had failed in years past. Club Penguin succeeded when others failed in the subscription model. Webkinz used offline sales of plush animals to fuel their online community for kids and preteens. KidZui got the formula right when it built an “Internet for kids” that allowed fun and age-appropriate Youtube videos and avatar social networking tools where kids can share their favorite websites, without sharing their personal information. Old ideas, spun with gold this time around. Parents are finally ready to pay for content and communities if they feel their children enjoy them and are safe.
But this year shows changes once again. More sites have gained the youth loyalty in the earlier years than ever before. Why? The overwhelming popularity of Webkinz and Club Penguin has spurred the development of more virtual worlds. And Facebook has become the single most popular website among teens. Until the recent economic downturn, the VCs and investors have responded to the success of Club Penguin (acquired by Disney for about 700 million plus earnouts) and the retail plush sales of Webkinz and the huge returns in networks like Bebo (acquired by Time Warner for 800 million dollars last year). The richness of choice is better than it has been in years. Hopefully, given the small pricetag to parents for what their kids want in a virtual world or what parents want in safe communities, this growth and the investment in our kids online will survive the general economic climate.
Most sites are biting the COPPA bullet and going through the steps needed to allow preteens to build communities. Many are learning innovative ways of giving them community without sharing personal information with others. Safety has caught on. Sadly, Parry has been knocking more off the list than usual. While the sites want to do the right thing, they are often adopting “do it yourself” methods that violate the law or put kids at risk unintentionally. Best practice standards for the kids Internet industry are new and require professional guidance.
But the ones that do it right for the kids, their parents and Parry are winners and will continue to lead the pack. In the 8 years since COPPA became effective there is one thing for certain – The Kids Internet Industry is Back!
Data Privacy Day's messages for Obama, consumers | Security - CNET News
Data Privacy Day's messages for Obama, consumers | Security - CNET NewsWiredSafety's Teenangels help advise on privacy for the new policymakers. Britney Bacon, one of the first five Teenangels, first began working with Parry in 1999, while a 14 year old in middle school. Now, as a soon to be law school graduate, she is advising the industry as she has always done - but better. Teenangels is the teen cybersafety expert group founded and run by Parry through WiredSafety.org. Their annual summit is scheduled for February 25th in Washington DC, where Britney will be joined by 75 other Teenangels and Tweenangels to help policymakers and industry alike understand the real Internet - the one used and built by young people.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The ISTTF (Internet Safety Technical Task Force) Report and Process
WiredSafety: the world's largest Internet safety, help and education resource.read WiredSafety's thoughts on the task force report.
The ISTTF (Internet Safety Technical Task Force) Report and Process
The ISTTF (Internet Safety Technical Task Force) Report and ProcessTell Parry what you think about the task force report stating that cyber predators are overhyped.
2009_summit_invite.png (PNG Image, 919x710 pixels) - Scaled (81%)
2009_summit_invite.png (PNG Image, 919x710 pixels) - Scaled (81%)for members of the industry - this is a must not miss event. given by expert teens and preteens for industry, policymakers and media.
New Technology to Block Car Phone Use Far From Perfect | The National Safety Commission Alerts
New Technology to Block Car Phone Use Far From Perfect | The National Safety Commission AlertsI hate when companies exploit parents' fears and offer something they don't need. The National Safety Commission noted my reaction to tech companies offering tools for a fee to shut down cell phones when driving. I appreciate their noticing and their common sense and expert advice. Somethings require common sense instead of new and expensive technology. This is one of them.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Bloomberg.com: Opinion
Bloomberg.com: OpinionKorean star commits suicide after being cyberharassed. and the power of bloggers to change governments is discussed.
Mike Musgrove - Challenging Assumptions About Online Predators - washingtonpost.com
Mike Musgrove - Challenging Assumptions About Online Predators - washingtonpost.comWhile we know that the fear of Internet sexual predators is overblown, we don't know how often it happens and realistically how to measure the risks.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Parry talking to Robin at the good morning america
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5201650
Parry talking about the ISTTF on the Today Show
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Parry talking about sexting on Today Show
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Monday, January 19, 2009
internetsafetyreport.pdf (application/pdf Object)
The response to the ISTTF report by the AG if S. Carolina is one more negative reaction to the report. We need concrete recommendations, more research (before we can state anything definitively,working as a team with law enforcement experts and funding to conduct independent research and take testimony. internetsafetyreport.pdf (application/pdf Object)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The ISTTF (Internet Safety Technical Task Force) Report and Process
The ISTTF (Internet Safety Technical Task Force) Report and Process
want us to listen to what you have to say? share your thoughts. Parry's listening.
want us to listen to what you have to say? share your thoughts. Parry's listening.
Percentage of kids solicited online drops, Harvard report says - Los Angeles Times
Percentage of kids solicited online drops, Harvard report says - Los Angeles TimesNow what? it's the question everyone is asking and will ask. Let's figure out what we need to do next. Take our survey and tell us.You can find it at wiredsafety.org.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Harvard-led task force says technology alone won't protect children at social-networking sites
Harvard-led task force says technology alone won't protect children at social-networking sitesParry Aftab, as head of wiredsafety.org, served on the task force. We need more and better research and more and better collaborations. But this is a start.
Report Finds Online Threats to Children Overblown - NYTimes.com
Report Finds Online Threats to Children Overblown - NYTimes.com although someone leaked the report before the embargo date, those of us on the task force spent almost a year looking at the issues. The conclusion? We need more research, it has to be timely and relevant and this is only a first step, not the answer.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
States Aim To Protect Kids From Spam; Michigan and Utah are creating registries of e-mail addresses by a means similar to "do not call" lists.(Brief Article) | InformationWeek | Find Art
As we explore age-verification technologies and approached, it can be helpful to look back a few years to see what we thought about kid "do not e-mail" list to help shiled them from porn and other inappropriate messaging. Large lists of children's contact information (aside from the COPPA legal implications) may not be what we want when predator groups could use them as a catalogue of children.States Aim To Protect Kids From Spam; Michigan and Utah are creating registries of e-mail addresses by a means similar to "do not call" lists.(Brief Article) | InformationWeek | Find Art
K12Planet.com Announces Joint Effort With Federal Trade Commission and Wired Kids to Protect Children Online | Business Wire | Find Articles at BNET
As I look back over the years, it's good to see how much things have improved.the first joint efforts among the FTC, Parry Aftab and an industry player. This was one of K12Planet.com Announces Joint Effort With Federal Trade Commission and Wired Kids to Protect Children Online | Business Wire | Find Articles at BNET
-MICROSOFT: Microsoft co-sponsors Internet Fair to teach families how to surf the web safely. | M2 Presswire | Find Articles at BNET
More than ten year ago, Parry Aftab conducted the very first cybersafety event with Microsoft.-MICROSOFT: Microsoft co-sponsors Internet Fair to teach families how to surf the web safely. | M2 Presswire | Find Articles at BNET
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Experts: Laws don’t deter Net bullying - Vindy.com News - National & World - Youngstown, Warren, Columbiana, Ohio
Notwithstanding the headline claim, laws do deter cyberbullying. Not all cyberbullying, but lots of these actions.Experts: Laws don’t deter Net bullying - Vindy.com News - National & World - Youngstown, Warren, Columbiana, Ohio
Maryland Students Use Speed Cameras for Revenge
This same school worked on an incredible cybersafety project. This is very sad.Maryland Students Use Speed Cameras for Revenge
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Scion | High School Marketing
Scion announces a serious campaign to get High Schools involved in framing marketing messages. It's the latest trend in connecting consumer brands and teens. Scion | High School Marketing
Monday, December 08, 2008
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
I am so frustrated! If one more person tells me there isn't a law that could have applied to Lori Drew in Missouri, I will scream!
On January 5, 2006 President Bush signed Section 113 of the Violence against Women Act into law. It amends 47 U.S.C. 223, the telecommunications harassment statute that is rooted in the Communications Act of 1934.
The telecommunications statue bans anyone from using a telephone or a telecommunications device without disclosing their identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person. This applies to Internet-based communications as well. (Section 113 amends the statute to include “any device or software that can be used to originate telecommunications or other types of communications that are transmitted, in whole or in part, by the Internet.)
The telecommunications statue bans anyone from using a telephone or a telecommunications device without disclosing their identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person. This applies to Internet-based communications as well. (Section 113 amends the statute to include “any device or software that can be used to originate telecommunications or other types of communications that are transmitted, in whole or in part, by the Internet.)
Sunday, November 30, 2008
UPDATE: Missouri mom gets some comfort from work against cyberbullying - Columbia Missourian
Megan Meier's death has awakened the US to the horrors of cyberbullying. Lori Drew's conviction makes a statement.UPDATE: Missouri mom gets some comfort from work against cyberbullying - Columbia Missourian
MySpace Mom Conviction Shows Cyberbullies Will Be Punished | Monty's Mega Marketing
I hate bullies! what a great way to start this blog post!MySpace Mom Conviction Shows Cyberbullies Will Be Punished | Monty's Mega Marketing
Friday, November 28, 2008
In the wake of MySpace verdict, could social networks do more to protect consumers? | Technology | Los Angeles Times
wiredtrust is dedicated to helping web 2.0 companies handle these and other kinds of risks.In the wake of MySpace verdict, could social networks do more to protect consumers? | Technology | Los Angeles Times
The Associated Press: Mom: Verdict shows cyberbullies will be punished
Lori Drew's verdict sends a message - if you use the Internet as a weapon to hurt others, you will face justice.The Associated Press: Mom: Verdict shows cyberbullies will be punished
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
The Lori Drew verdict
I am thrilled about the results of the trial. While Lori could have been convicted of more, I am happy she was convicted of anything at all. With a 3 year possible sentence awaiting her and up to $300,000 in fines, this verdict sent the right message. If you are an adult and torment and harass a child online you will face a jury of your peers.
Now, I hope that the US Attorney for the St Louis area of Missouri now re-examines this case and brings the action that needs to be brought - under the federal cyberstalking statute. To my knowledge, double jeopardy does not attach here. This case was a crime against MySpace. But now let's look at justice for Megan, in her name.
Megan...rest in peace.
Parry
If you want to take a pledge in Megan's name, to help combat cyberbullying, visit myyearbook.com/meganpledge
Now, I hope that the US Attorney for the St Louis area of Missouri now re-examines this case and brings the action that needs to be brought - under the federal cyberstalking statute. To my knowledge, double jeopardy does not attach here. This case was a crime against MySpace. But now let's look at justice for Megan, in her name.
Megan...rest in peace.
Parry
If you want to take a pledge in Megan's name, to help combat cyberbullying, visit myyearbook.com/meganpledge
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
teen suicide in Florida - are there legal ramifications for the site or viewers/
The Communications Decency Act limits a service provider's liability for what is posted or what actions are taken on their site that they have not intended or controlled. And, in the US, we do not require that bystanders take action to help others when they need help. But morally, someone should have done something. WiredTrust.com is a new company that advises web 2.0 businesses how to deal with situations like a user threatened or webcast suicide.
Watch CBS Videos Online
Watch CBS Videos Online
Saturday, November 22, 2008
ABC News: Florida Teen Live-Streams His Suicide Online
Parry covers this issue, explaining the limited libaility of website and the lack of training within the networks ot deal with these emerging issues. WiredTrust.com offers training to website risk managers and moderators on handling high risk cases online.ABC News: Florida Teen Live-Streams His Suicide Online
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Jury in MySpace Cyberbullying Trial Might Not Be Told Of Teen's Suicide | Threat Level from Wired.com
this is a confusing case, but one that calls out for justice.
Jury in MySpace Cyberbullying Trial Might Not Be Told Of Teen's Suicide | Threat Level from Wired.com
Jury in MySpace Cyberbullying Trial Might Not Be Told Of Teen's Suicide | Threat Level from Wired.com
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Halloween argument leads teens to online harassment
Halloween argument leads teens to online harassment
The NH Attorney General cares about the issue of cyberbullying. I hope to work with her to develop some substantial projects for the state. I admire her work substantially.
The NH Attorney General cares about the issue of cyberbullying. I hope to work with her to develop some substantial projects for the state. I admire her work substantially.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
ABC News: Inside the Minds of Teens Who Post Sexual Images of Themselves
Ohio teen is arrested for posting and distributing nude pictures of herself.ABC News: Inside the Minds of Teens Who Post Sexual Images of Themselves
Sunday, October 19, 2008
McAfee® - about - McAfee Inc. Taps Parry Aftab as Its Family Internet Safety Advisor
I have recently begun consulting with McAfee about cybersafety issues for families and consumers. I hope to tap their extensive expertise in the security software arena to help design improved solutions for families online. I continue to work with all of my clients in the field and advise many leaders in the industry, as well as run WiredSafety.org.
I look forward to this next year and getting the power of McAfee focused on family tools and education.McAfee® - about - McAfee Inc. Taps Parry Aftab as Its Family Internet Safety Advisor
I look forward to this next year and getting the power of McAfee focused on family tools and education.McAfee® - about - McAfee Inc. Taps Parry Aftab as Its Family Internet Safety Advisor
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Features | SignOnSanDiego.com | The San Diego Union-Tribune -- Class acts
our stop, block and tell is catching on....stopcyberbullying.orgFeatures | SignOnSanDiego.com | The San Diego Union-Tribune -- Class acts
Thursday, September 04, 2008
GoErie.com: Take that, big bully.
I say this over and over again. There is a difference between bullying in real space and in cyberspace. It's more than just the methods and location. Cyberspace adds the accidental component with things being misunderstood and sent to the wrong person, when a joke doesn't play well and isn't understood as a joke, etc. Unlike offline bullying, not all cyberbullying is intentional. One entire class of cyberbullies, the inadvertent cyberbully, is accidental.GoErie.com: Take that, big bully.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
NYC’s Cyber Safety Summit « Tales of a Technology Omnivore
The event was very well attended and the kids were amazing. I hope this will inspire other cities to lead in this area.NYC’s Cyber Safety Summit « Tales of a Technology Omnivore
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Computer Liaisons Portal of Staten Island / South Brooklyn: Cybersmarts Summit 2008, Saturday, August 9th, City Hall, New York, NY
NY City Council event August 9th on cybersafety. I'll be MCing.Computer Liaisons Portal of Staten Island / South Brooklyn: Cybersmarts Summit 2008, Saturday, August 9th, City Hall, New York, NY
Monday, July 28, 2008
äøēę„å ±──ē“ē“ę°č
Upcoming NY City Council's cybersafety event. Parry to MC. August 9th!äøēę„å ±──ē“ē“ę°č
Thursday, July 24, 2008
E-Commerce News: Law: Court Nixes Law Aimed at Protecting Kids Online
COPA, after floating around and wasting everyone's time for years, is finally dea. Perhaps now we can focus on fixing the problem in constitutional ways?E-Commerce News: Law: Court Nixes Law Aimed at Protecting Kids Online
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Efforts to rein in online fight videos | csmonitor.com
What wiredsafety is doing to help stop violence designed to make teens more popular online.Efforts to rein in online fight videos | csmonitor.com
Monday, July 21, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
ABC News: TMI on Facebook Can Lead to ID Theft
some games are designed t grab very personal information - like your social security number!ABC News: TMI on Facebook Can Lead to ID Theft
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Hulu - Cyber-Cheating Spouses: NBC TODAY Show
Christie Brinkley's spouse was engaging in cybersex with others. Parry discusses this on the Today Show.Hulu - Cyber-Cheating Spouses: NBC TODAY Show
Friday, July 11, 2008
UNITED STATES v. WILLIAMS
US Supreme Court makes an important decision to help prevent child sexual exploitation by prohibiting the sale or distribution of virtual child pornography that holds itself out as child pornography.UNITED STATES v. WILLIAMS
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
BBC NEWS | Programmes | Click | Battling the online bullies
BBC coverage of our stop cyberbullying conference airs today.BBC NEWS | Programmes | Click | Battling the online bullies
Sunday, June 29, 2008
BBC NEWS | Programmes | Click | Battling the online bullies
The BBC joined us for both days of our stop cyberbullying conference in June. If you want to see some of what went on, visit wiredsafety.org and view the webcast archives.
BBC NEWS | Programmes | Click | Battling the online bullies
BBC NEWS | Programmes | Click | Battling the online bullies
Friday, June 27, 2008
Online Magazine For TPJCians: Cyber Bullying 2.0: The Real Story
Cyberbullying and Singapore. In 1998 I began working with Singapore. It's a country that was braodband before any others. Well-mannered and well-educated children. But many were lashing out online, anonymously.Online Magazine For TPJCians: Cyber Bullying 2.0: The Real Story
Thursday, June 26, 2008
BBC NEWS | Technology | Q&A: Internet shake-up
I worry that this would become a free-for-all.BBC NEWS | Technology | Q&A: Internet shake-up
Friday, June 20, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
NewsFactor Network | MySpace Teen Suicide Defendant Pleads Not Guilty
Lori Drew pleads not guilty after having given conflicting statements under oath.NewsFactor Network | MySpace Teen Suicide Defendant Pleads Not Guilty
Monday, June 16, 2008
» Bebo Cyberbullying Blamed for Teen’s Death » Blog Archive Alice Hill’s Real Tech News - Independent Tech
Another teen takes his life because of cyberbullying. Although Megan Meier has become the poster child on teen cyberbullying suicides, she was not the first nor the last teen to take her own life because of cyberbullying. In the US approx 14 have committed suicide because of cyberbullying. In the UK several more have as well. In Canada, two have killed themselves and one has stabbed another and in Japan on preteen murdered another after being text-bullied.
In all cases except for Megan's kids were the bullies. In Megan's case two adults were involved, Lori Drew ( a neighorhood mom) and her babysitter, Ashley) and some teens (including Lori's daughter. Our Megan Pledge is designed to help teens understand the pain of cyberbullying, get them to seek help when victimized and give help when they see it and teaches them that suicide is never an option. You can take it at myyearbook.com/meganpledge or fan facebook.com/meganpledge.
» Bebo Cyberbullying Blamed for Teen’s Death » Blog Archive Alice Hill’s Real Tech News - Independent Tech
In all cases except for Megan's kids were the bullies. In Megan's case two adults were involved, Lori Drew ( a neighorhood mom) and her babysitter, Ashley) and some teens (including Lori's daughter. Our Megan Pledge is designed to help teens understand the pain of cyberbullying, get them to seek help when victimized and give help when they see it and teaches them that suicide is never an option. You can take it at myyearbook.com/meganpledge or fan facebook.com/meganpledge.
» Bebo Cyberbullying Blamed for Teen’s Death » Blog Archive Alice Hill’s Real Tech News - Independent Tech
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Westchester.com - Pace University Announces Online Safety Program
WiredSafety's award-winning programs to be delivered by students and faculty at Pace University. Educational and technology students will be able to earn graduate certificates and credits for work in the field of cybersafety using WiredSafety's programs.Westchester.com - Pace University Announces Online Safety Program
Monday, June 09, 2008
Love bytes: City teens post exes' nude pix
More and more kids are posting sexual images of others online. When they breakup, the private images become public and are used as a weapon to hurt their ex's.Love bytes: City teens post exes' nude pix
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Tech firms focus on cyberbullying - MaldivianDigital® :: Forum
finally cyberbullying is getting its due. With so much focussed on sexual predators online, it was always the ignored step-child of cyberrisks. Yet, our polls show that 85% of middle schoolers have been cyberbullied at least once. In a smaller poll 70% admitted ot cyberbullying others.Tech firms focus on cyberbullying - MaldivianDigital® :: Forum
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Friday, June 06, 2008
Cyberbullying is bigger threat to kids | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal
For many years wehave been wasting our breath trying to get everyone ot understand that cyberbullying and harassment affects many more children than sexual predators online. While 8 children have been murdered by someone they met online, we have had 14 suicides relating to cyberbullying. Both kill. Both are unexceptable, but now, finally, cyberbullying is the center of focus. Cyberbullying is bigger threat to kids | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
ADL Recognized For Combating Cyberbullying
ADL has a great program and lots of free anti-hate and cyberbullying prevention training.ADL Recognized For Combating Cyberbullying
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
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