Friday, October 23, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Giving Back: Making a Difference, Building Community
Giving Back: Making a Difference, Building Communitywe love Maxine and the entire team at BaB. Amazing and caring people
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
More about the Stop Cyberbullying Coalition event
The StopCyberbullying Coalition Event
October 13, 2009
Senate Building – Russell SR325
Noon – 4pm (lunch provided)
WiredSafety, home of StopCyberbullying.org, will host the first StopCyberbullying Coalition event on Capitol Hill. Leaders in the entertainment and Internet industries, cybersecurity and safety, cybercrime and policy, international media and expert tweens and the award-winning Teenangels will join forces to address cyberbullying and sexting risks. Cynthia Logan will join Debbie Johnston as the luncheon speakers to share their personal pain of losing their teens, Jessie Logan and Jeffrey Johnston, to cyberbullying inspired suicides.
Bill O’Dowd, executive producer of Zoey 101 and other successful tween and teen productions, will share his thoughts on reaching young people effectively with the right messages, like how to Stop Cyberbullying.
Three panels will cover the Tween and Teen Perspectives, the Law, Best Practices and Internet Risk Management and Moving Forward, how all stakeholder groups can work towards a common goal. Coalition members and experts represented on the panels include Facebook, Microsoft, Xbox, AOL, Yahoo!, Google, Build-A-Bear Workshop, myYearbook, MTV, the Girl Scouts of the USA, the Ad Council, Disney, Kids@Play, Buzz Marketing Group, the Office of the Mayor of NY, the FTC, Candystand, the US Department of Education, Seventeen Magazine, Liz Claiborne, iKeepSafe, the National Crime Prevention Council, WiredMoms, Verizon and WiredSafety’s Tweenangels and Teenangels. (Others are pending confirmation.) Learn what others are doing and what you can do to help address this growing problem. The event will be moderated by WiredSafety’s Executive Director, privacy lawyer Parry Aftab.
See a sneak preview of the StopCyberbullying Toolkit for Schools sponsored by Facebook, Microsoft, LG Phones, MySpace, Procter & Gamble, Adobe, myYearbook, AOL, Canada’s Child Safety Research and Innovation Center, NCPC, the ADL, Build-A-Bear Workshop, WiredTrust and others will take place during the luncheon presentations.
Event open to invited guests only. To request an invitation, please contact Parry Aftab’s office, 201-444-8910 or email Parry Aftab (parry@aftab.com). Space is very limited and an RSVP is required. Media will be in attendance and the event will be videotaped, blogged and Tweeted live. For more information, follow WiredMoms on Twitter or Parry’s cybersense blog, parryaftab.blogspot.com
October 13, 2009
Senate Building – Russell SR325
Noon – 4pm (lunch provided)
WiredSafety, home of StopCyberbullying.org, will host the first StopCyberbullying Coalition event on Capitol Hill. Leaders in the entertainment and Internet industries, cybersecurity and safety, cybercrime and policy, international media and expert tweens and the award-winning Teenangels will join forces to address cyberbullying and sexting risks. Cynthia Logan will join Debbie Johnston as the luncheon speakers to share their personal pain of losing their teens, Jessie Logan and Jeffrey Johnston, to cyberbullying inspired suicides.
Bill O’Dowd, executive producer of Zoey 101 and other successful tween and teen productions, will share his thoughts on reaching young people effectively with the right messages, like how to Stop Cyberbullying.
Three panels will cover the Tween and Teen Perspectives, the Law, Best Practices and Internet Risk Management and Moving Forward, how all stakeholder groups can work towards a common goal. Coalition members and experts represented on the panels include Facebook, Microsoft, Xbox, AOL, Yahoo!, Google, Build-A-Bear Workshop, myYearbook, MTV, the Girl Scouts of the USA, the Ad Council, Disney, Kids@Play, Buzz Marketing Group, the Office of the Mayor of NY, the FTC, Candystand, the US Department of Education, Seventeen Magazine, Liz Claiborne, iKeepSafe, the National Crime Prevention Council, WiredMoms, Verizon and WiredSafety’s Tweenangels and Teenangels. (Others are pending confirmation.) Learn what others are doing and what you can do to help address this growing problem. The event will be moderated by WiredSafety’s Executive Director, privacy lawyer Parry Aftab.
See a sneak preview of the StopCyberbullying Toolkit for Schools sponsored by Facebook, Microsoft, LG Phones, MySpace, Procter & Gamble, Adobe, myYearbook, AOL, Canada’s Child Safety Research and Innovation Center, NCPC, the ADL, Build-A-Bear Workshop, WiredTrust and others will take place during the luncheon presentations.
Event open to invited guests only. To request an invitation, please contact Parry Aftab’s office, 201-444-8910 or email Parry Aftab (parry@aftab.com). Space is very limited and an RSVP is required. Media will be in attendance and the event will be videotaped, blogged and Tweeted live. For more information, follow WiredMoms on Twitter or Parry’s cybersense blog, parryaftab.blogspot.com
The detailed Stop Cyberbullying Event Agenda. this will be videotaped and tweeted.
The Stop Cyberbullying Coalition Roundtable
Senate Building - Russell SR325 October 13, 2009 Noon – 4pm
11:30 - Noon Participants sign in and pickup box lunches. Event begins promptly at noon. Our thanks to Build-A-Bear Workshop for generously sponsoring lunch.
12:00 – 12:10 Parry Aftab welcomes participants and Teenangels share some cyberbullying and sexting harassment-related statistics
12:10 – 12:20 Debbie Johnston shares Jeffrey’s story. Jeff took his own life after 2 years or cyberbullying torment, at the age of 15. Through her hard work, Florida adopted “The Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act” which requires schools in the state to adopt policies to discourage bullying in person and online.
12:20 – 12:30 Cynthia Logan speaks about her ongoing fight to teach schools how to handle sexting-related harassment among students. Her 18-year old daughter, Jessie Logan, tried desperately to teach others the risks of sexting after her private nude image to her 19-year old boyfriend was broadcast to more than 1000 people. After no one would help her, she took her own life. Cynthia is working tirelessly with WiredSafety to help stiffen sexting-related harassment penalties while reducing the criminal penalties for taking and sharing consensual nude images of minors as a registered sex offense.
12:30 – 1:30 Panel One – Knowing Your Audience: During this panel, experts in the field will address the various stakeholder groups that must be involved to address cyberbullying effectively. Leading entertainment companies, teen viral marketing experts, preteen brands, educators, teens and advocacy groups will explore what they know and are doing and how we can all learn to reach the right audiences with meaningful messages. Q&A will take place during each of the panels.
1:30 – 2:30 Panel Two: Safety, Laws, Best Practices and Policy: Law enforcement leaders, policy experts, governmental agencies, chief technology officers, privacy and security experts and technology advisors explore the limits and importance of laws, which laws are the right ones, where can technology fill the gap and what they do to protect their users from cyberbullying risks.
2:30- 2:45 Break and a chance for audience participants to share their comments. (Cards will be given to each participant to submit questions for the panelists and to propose items they want to share with the entire group. They will be picked up regularly during the program. The WiredMom Twitter team will be collecting tweets submitted to “wiremoms” for the panelists.) Our thanks once again to Build-A-Bear Workshop for sponsoring the coffee break.
2:45 – 3:45 Panel Three: The Lay of the Land and Playing Nicely With Others: What is already being done and what can we learn from those who have begun to address cyberbullying? Leaders from the Internet industry, advocacy groups, technology providers, teens and educators will share information about the current landscape and where we need to go next. Those who have created and managed meaningful coalitions will share how they got past the “This is mine! Don’t touch that! I can do it all alone!” mentality that has plagued so many cybersafety initiatives in the past.
3:45 – 4:00 Parry Aftab will wrap up the event with a summary of what we have learned, next steps and a proposed action plan for the StopCyberbullying Coalition. A next event will be proposed and the Teenangels will challenge the participants to do even more to Stop Cyberbullying.
Senate Building - Russell SR325 October 13, 2009 Noon – 4pm
11:30 - Noon Participants sign in and pickup box lunches. Event begins promptly at noon. Our thanks to Build-A-Bear Workshop for generously sponsoring lunch.
12:00 – 12:10 Parry Aftab welcomes participants and Teenangels share some cyberbullying and sexting harassment-related statistics
12:10 – 12:20 Debbie Johnston shares Jeffrey’s story. Jeff took his own life after 2 years or cyberbullying torment, at the age of 15. Through her hard work, Florida adopted “The Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act” which requires schools in the state to adopt policies to discourage bullying in person and online.
12:20 – 12:30 Cynthia Logan speaks about her ongoing fight to teach schools how to handle sexting-related harassment among students. Her 18-year old daughter, Jessie Logan, tried desperately to teach others the risks of sexting after her private nude image to her 19-year old boyfriend was broadcast to more than 1000 people. After no one would help her, she took her own life. Cynthia is working tirelessly with WiredSafety to help stiffen sexting-related harassment penalties while reducing the criminal penalties for taking and sharing consensual nude images of minors as a registered sex offense.
12:30 – 1:30 Panel One – Knowing Your Audience: During this panel, experts in the field will address the various stakeholder groups that must be involved to address cyberbullying effectively. Leading entertainment companies, teen viral marketing experts, preteen brands, educators, teens and advocacy groups will explore what they know and are doing and how we can all learn to reach the right audiences with meaningful messages. Q&A will take place during each of the panels.
1:30 – 2:30 Panel Two: Safety, Laws, Best Practices and Policy: Law enforcement leaders, policy experts, governmental agencies, chief technology officers, privacy and security experts and technology advisors explore the limits and importance of laws, which laws are the right ones, where can technology fill the gap and what they do to protect their users from cyberbullying risks.
2:30- 2:45 Break and a chance for audience participants to share their comments. (Cards will be given to each participant to submit questions for the panelists and to propose items they want to share with the entire group. They will be picked up regularly during the program. The WiredMom Twitter team will be collecting tweets submitted to “wiremoms” for the panelists.) Our thanks once again to Build-A-Bear Workshop for sponsoring the coffee break.
2:45 – 3:45 Panel Three: The Lay of the Land and Playing Nicely With Others: What is already being done and what can we learn from those who have begun to address cyberbullying? Leaders from the Internet industry, advocacy groups, technology providers, teens and educators will share information about the current landscape and where we need to go next. Those who have created and managed meaningful coalitions will share how they got past the “This is mine! Don’t touch that! I can do it all alone!” mentality that has plagued so many cybersafety initiatives in the past.
3:45 – 4:00 Parry Aftab will wrap up the event with a summary of what we have learned, next steps and a proposed action plan for the StopCyberbullying Coalition. A next event will be proposed and the Teenangels will challenge the participants to do even more to Stop Cyberbullying.
Let Me Know: Life Online - Texting and IM
Let Me Know: Life Online - Texting and IMsome advice form Parry about what to do if "sexting" involves your kids.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
MEDIA ALERT *** MEDIA ALERT *** MEDIA ALERT
CONTACT:
Parry Aftab
201-444-8910
Parry@Aftab.com
Kris Brill
314-780-1332
Krbrill@swbell.net
THE STOPCYBERBULLYING COALITION ROUNDTABLE
INDUSTRY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, ADVOCACY GROUPS AND TEENS AND PRETEENS JOIN FORCES ON CAPITOL HILL TO STOP CYBERBULLYING AND ADDRESS SEXTING AND CYBERABUSE ISSUES
Washington, DC – Cyberbullying and sexting incidents related harassment are touching most teens and preteens. 85% of middle schoolers reported being cyberbullied at least once. Only 5% would ever trust their parents with that information. Kids begin cyberbullying as young as 3rd grade and have identified 36 different ways to use a cell phone as a weapon against their classmates. Extortion is the method of choice of 4th graders who cyberbully. 44% of high school boys polled said they have seen at least one nude picture of a female classmate and 10% also admit to sending a nude picture to someone else (many unsolicited) using their cell phones. Sexting (sending nude photos via a cell phone) is a fast growing trend, affecting more and more teens and even preteens. And those involved can end up as registered sex offenders.
Who: Facebook, Microsoft, Disney, Build-A-Bear Workshop, AOL, Yahoo!, Google, MTV, Verizon, the Ad Council, Girl Scouts of the USA, Dolphin Entertainment, Parents of cyberbullicide victims Jessie Logan and Jeff Johnston, the Office of the Mayor of NY, WiredMoms, Liz Claiborne, Kids@Play, Buzz Marketing, the FTC, the US Department of Education and other Capitol Hill and industry leaders, law enforcement officials and child advocacy groups join expert Teens and Preteens in an engaging luncheon presentation and panels designed to address the problem. WiredSafety’s Executive Director, cyberlawyer Parry Aftab, and the award-winning Teenangels will moderate the highly interactive afternoon program.
What: Three hour-long panels to address the scope of cyberbullying risks, ways to reach teens and preteens effectively and empower them and engage them in creating solutions, what role laws play in preventing and addressing cyberbullying and how all stakeholders can work together for a common goal – to stop cyberbullying and break the cycle of sexting harassment.
When: October 13th, 2009- Noon to 4pm (lunch provided) Space is Limited, Contact Parry Aftab for Info
Where: The US Senate Building (Russell SR325)
Why: Because “Cyberbullying Hurts!”
Join the StopCyberbullying Coalition. WiredSafety is the world’s oldest and largest cybersafety charity operating through grassroots volunteers worldwide. It operates StopCyberbullying.org and the StopCyberbullying Coalition to bring together all stakeholders to address and work together to stop cyberbullying.
###
Tina Wells: Cyberbullying: A Call To Action
Tina Wells: Cyberbullying: A Call To Actiongotta love that woman! the event is fully-subscribed. If you are interested in attending, send me an email and I will add you to the waiting list.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
the StopCyberbullying Coalition Roundtable on Capitol Hill
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MEDIA ALERT *** MEDIA ALERT *** MEDIA ALERT
CONTACT:
Parry Aftab
201-463-8663
Parry@Aftab.com
Jill Saunders
314-422-4523
JillS@BuildaBear.com
THE STOPCYBERBULLYING COALITION ROUNDTABLE
INDUSTRY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, ADVOCACY GROUPS AND TEENS AND PRETEENS JOIN FORCES ON CAPITOL HILL TO STOP CYBERBULLYING AND ADDRESS SEXTING AND CYBERABUSE ISSUES
Washington, DC – Cyberbullying and sexting incidents related harassment are touching most teens and preteens. 85% of middle schoolers reported being cyberbullied at least once. Only 5% would ever trust their parents with that information. Kids begin cyberbullying as young as 3rd grade and have identified 36 different ways to use a cell phone as a weapon against their classmates. Extortion is the method of choice of 4th graders who cyberbully. 44% of high school boys polled said they have seen at least one nude picture of a female classmate and 10% also admit to sending a nude picture to someone else (many unsolicited) using their cell phones. Sexting (sending nude photos via a cell phone) is a fast growing trend, affecting more and more teens and even preteens. And those involved can end up as registered sex offenders.
Who: Facebook, Microsoft, Disney, Build-A-Bear Workshop, AOL, Yahoo!, Google, MTV, Verizon, the Ad Council, Girl Scouts of the USA, Dolphin Entertainment, Parents of cyberbullicide victims Jessie Logan and Jeff Johnston, the Office of the Mayor of NY, WiredMoms, Liz Claiborne, Kids@Play, Buzz Marketing, the FTC, the US Department of Education and other Capitol Hill and industry leaders, law enforcement officials and child advocacy groups join expert Teens and Preteens in an engaging luncheon presentation and panels designed to address the problem. WiredSafety’s Executive Director, cyberlawyer Parry Aftab, and the award-winning Teenangels will moderate the highly interactive afternoon program.
What: Three hour-long panels to address the scope of cyberbullying risks, ways to reach teens and preteens effectively and empower them and engage them in creating solutions, what role laws play in preventing and addressing cyberbullying and how all stakeholders can work together for a common goal – to stop cyberbullying and break the cycle of sexting harassment.
When: Noon to 4pm (lunch provided) Space is Limited, Contact Parry Aftab for Info
Where: The US Senate Building (Russell SR325)
Why: Because “Cyberbullying Hurts!”
Join the StopCyberbullying Coalition. WiredSafety is the world’s oldest and largest cybersafety charity operating through grassroots volunteers worldwide. It operates StopCyberbullying.org and the StopCyberbullying Coalition to bring together all stakeholders to address and work together to stop cyberbullying.
###
Parry's CNN appearance today on the latest sexting case
PHILLIPS: Another story we can't let go, several teens in Pennsylvania facing child porn charges because they allegedly texted nude pictures to each other, child porn charges. There is a similar case now in Wisconsin. They easily could be your kids. Don't believe me? Well, a recent survey found one in five teens post or text nude pictures of themselves. Lots to push forward, here.
Do the charges fit the crime? Heck, is this a crime at all? These are teens being teens but their hormones are now in bed with wireless gadgets. This is virgin territory for police, prosecutors, educators and lawmakers and parents. Seems like everyone could use a little sex education. Police in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, want state law makers to figure out how to apply the law here. The law as is will make these teens regret hitting send for a long time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF DAVID ARNOLD, CHAMBERSBURG, PA.: Unfortunately, as the law exists right now, a student could be charged with a felony and have a lot of repercussions for them in the future.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: And I asked the assistant school superintendent about the charges. This is what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS (On camera): Do you support child porn charges against these kids?
ERIC MICHAEL, CHAMBERSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT: Based on the evidence we have so far, not in this instance. We need to realize that one reckless act could potentially follow them in their future and affect them if a very negative way. That is certainly not our intent. We feel the education component is far more important to make sure the students understand the full implications of what they've done.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: So, basically, the problem here is that justice doesn't move nearly as fast as technology. So let's talk to Parry Aftab, she's a lawyer who specializes in Internet and privacy issues. You know, Parry, what's the answer?
PARRY AFTAB, ATTORNEY: Well, we need to understand that there are two pieces of sexting. Number one, if the kids are underage, they can be charged with production, distribution or possession of child pornography and they are around the country. They are, they've become registered sex offenders. So, we are trying to change those laws.
The second piece is once that image moves, boys generally tend to look at it because it's a naked image, but girls move it to cyber bully each other. We're holding an event in Washington, on the Hill, on Tuesday to address this issue.
PHILLIPS: Is that the Ohio bill that you're going to be testifying about?
AFTAB: Well, Ohio, we actually helped put in place. This is where Build A Bear and Google and Microsoft and Disney and Facebook are all joining me at a major event Tuesday to try to help spread the word. In fact, Cynthia Logan, the mom of Jesse Logan, the girl who took her own life after her sexting image was made public will be there to open summit.
PHILLIPS: OK. So, from what I understand, right now there really is no law that fits the crime. The only thing that is out there are porn charges. And if you -- if you charge a child with porn charges, I mean, you're basically going to ruin their life, right?
AFTAB: And it's not just porn charges, Kyra. It is child porn, which is you're now going to have them have to register with all those people who molest young children. We need to recognize that because of the laws with statutory rape written the way they are, kids can have sex with each other. They just can't take a picture and share it with each other.
PHILLIPS: OK, so how would you advise the DA right now, in Pennsylvania, that's dealing with almost 30 kids in this high school who have been sending naked pictures around? And because law enforcement is talking about charging them with child porn.
AFTAB: Well, they don't really have an option. It's either too hot or too cold. They either ignore it entirely or charge them under the only law that exists. What I would recommend is some discretion. I'm happy to actually drive out there and talk to the people in the community. And maybe we can get the kids to be involved in the charity that I run, Wired Safety, teaching each other about not being stupid and taking these pictures. And if we can make it community service rather than crime and a tag that will follow you forever, as a registered sex offender, that's the way to go.
But we also are going to have to give them the laws that give them that discretion, because right now they don't have them.
PHILLIPS: You know, you say something very interesting about these kids doing something that's stupid. I mean at that age, 13, 14, 15, 16, I mean I would never even imagine sending a nude picture of myself, you know, to somebody in school. I mean I think -- what's wrong with our kids? I mean at such a young age, why are they even thinking about doing this?
AFTAB: I think they fall into different groups. We're seeing it as young as 10. Where these kids are trying to look older and they're taking pictures and sending them to senior boys. They are all armed with cell phones 24/7 and a photo capability. And when they're bored or somebody had too many beers, or at a slumber party and nothing else better to do, they will take an image and send it off. Once you click send, you've lost control.
So what we need to do is think about what we're putting into our kids' hands. Teach them that there are very serious ramifications here of taking these images, letting them know that even if they love him, when they break up that image may move, when he doesn't love you back.
And we need to also recognize that 10 percent of the teen boys we have polled have sent a naked picture to somebody and generally unsolicited. Like, hey guys, look at this. So we need to recognize that they think it's funny. They may be in love and think it's part of intimacy. They don't realize what's going to happen next.
PHILLIPS: You bring up a good point. It's not just changing the laws. But parents have got to step up and so do those school officials that -- and do some type of Internet safety training and educate our kids. I mean we're operating in a totally different world now.
Parry Aftab, always good to talk to you. Appreciate it.
AFTAB: Thanks, Kyra. And if they can follow us at Wired Moms, they'll get information about the summit on Tuesday on Twitter.
PHILLIPS: Wired Moms, that's on Twitter?
AFTAB: It's on Twitter.
PHILLIPS: Wired Moms, there you go, folks. All moms out there - and dads. Follow Parry Aftab. Thanks, Parry.
AFTAB: Thank you very much.
PHILLIPS: If your kids have cell phones, I know you've got something to say about this. Tweet me with your two cents at Kyra.cnn. I'll read some of your responses later in the newscast.
Do the charges fit the crime? Heck, is this a crime at all? These are teens being teens but their hormones are now in bed with wireless gadgets. This is virgin territory for police, prosecutors, educators and lawmakers and parents. Seems like everyone could use a little sex education. Police in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, want state law makers to figure out how to apply the law here. The law as is will make these teens regret hitting send for a long time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF DAVID ARNOLD, CHAMBERSBURG, PA.: Unfortunately, as the law exists right now, a student could be charged with a felony and have a lot of repercussions for them in the future.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: And I asked the assistant school superintendent about the charges. This is what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS (On camera): Do you support child porn charges against these kids?
ERIC MICHAEL, CHAMBERSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT: Based on the evidence we have so far, not in this instance. We need to realize that one reckless act could potentially follow them in their future and affect them if a very negative way. That is certainly not our intent. We feel the education component is far more important to make sure the students understand the full implications of what they've done.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: So, basically, the problem here is that justice doesn't move nearly as fast as technology. So let's talk to Parry Aftab, she's a lawyer who specializes in Internet and privacy issues. You know, Parry, what's the answer?
PARRY AFTAB, ATTORNEY: Well, we need to understand that there are two pieces of sexting. Number one, if the kids are underage, they can be charged with production, distribution or possession of child pornography and they are around the country. They are, they've become registered sex offenders. So, we are trying to change those laws.
The second piece is once that image moves, boys generally tend to look at it because it's a naked image, but girls move it to cyber bully each other. We're holding an event in Washington, on the Hill, on Tuesday to address this issue.
PHILLIPS: Is that the Ohio bill that you're going to be testifying about?
AFTAB: Well, Ohio, we actually helped put in place. This is where Build A Bear and Google and Microsoft and Disney and Facebook are all joining me at a major event Tuesday to try to help spread the word. In fact, Cynthia Logan, the mom of Jesse Logan, the girl who took her own life after her sexting image was made public will be there to open summit.
PHILLIPS: OK. So, from what I understand, right now there really is no law that fits the crime. The only thing that is out there are porn charges. And if you -- if you charge a child with porn charges, I mean, you're basically going to ruin their life, right?
AFTAB: And it's not just porn charges, Kyra. It is child porn, which is you're now going to have them have to register with all those people who molest young children. We need to recognize that because of the laws with statutory rape written the way they are, kids can have sex with each other. They just can't take a picture and share it with each other.
PHILLIPS: OK, so how would you advise the DA right now, in Pennsylvania, that's dealing with almost 30 kids in this high school who have been sending naked pictures around? And because law enforcement is talking about charging them with child porn.
AFTAB: Well, they don't really have an option. It's either too hot or too cold. They either ignore it entirely or charge them under the only law that exists. What I would recommend is some discretion. I'm happy to actually drive out there and talk to the people in the community. And maybe we can get the kids to be involved in the charity that I run, Wired Safety, teaching each other about not being stupid and taking these pictures. And if we can make it community service rather than crime and a tag that will follow you forever, as a registered sex offender, that's the way to go.
But we also are going to have to give them the laws that give them that discretion, because right now they don't have them.
PHILLIPS: You know, you say something very interesting about these kids doing something that's stupid. I mean at that age, 13, 14, 15, 16, I mean I would never even imagine sending a nude picture of myself, you know, to somebody in school. I mean I think -- what's wrong with our kids? I mean at such a young age, why are they even thinking about doing this?
AFTAB: I think they fall into different groups. We're seeing it as young as 10. Where these kids are trying to look older and they're taking pictures and sending them to senior boys. They are all armed with cell phones 24/7 and a photo capability. And when they're bored or somebody had too many beers, or at a slumber party and nothing else better to do, they will take an image and send it off. Once you click send, you've lost control.
So what we need to do is think about what we're putting into our kids' hands. Teach them that there are very serious ramifications here of taking these images, letting them know that even if they love him, when they break up that image may move, when he doesn't love you back.
And we need to also recognize that 10 percent of the teen boys we have polled have sent a naked picture to somebody and generally unsolicited. Like, hey guys, look at this. So we need to recognize that they think it's funny. They may be in love and think it's part of intimacy. They don't realize what's going to happen next.
PHILLIPS: You bring up a good point. It's not just changing the laws. But parents have got to step up and so do those school officials that -- and do some type of Internet safety training and educate our kids. I mean we're operating in a totally different world now.
Parry Aftab, always good to talk to you. Appreciate it.
AFTAB: Thanks, Kyra. And if they can follow us at Wired Moms, they'll get information about the summit on Tuesday on Twitter.
PHILLIPS: Wired Moms, that's on Twitter?
AFTAB: It's on Twitter.
PHILLIPS: Wired Moms, there you go, folks. All moms out there - and dads. Follow Parry Aftab. Thanks, Parry.
AFTAB: Thank you very much.
PHILLIPS: If your kids have cell phones, I know you've got something to say about this. Tweet me with your two cents at Kyra.cnn. I'll read some of your responses later in the newscast.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
FTC Publishes Final Guides Governing Endorsements, Testimonials
FTC Publishes Final Guides Governing Endorsements, TestimonialsFTC requires that bloggers, tweeter and online editorials disclose any special interests or compensation. Not sure how easy it will be to enforce, but has merit. I am not as familiar with journalistic ethics/laws. Is this different than print media?
Monday, October 05, 2009
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Consumer Action Handbook - Internet - Safer Computing and Social Networks
Consumer Action Handbook - Internet - Safer Computing and Social Networksa Federas.l guide to consumer issues and resource
Friday, October 02, 2009
opera blast - on iPhones! m new favorite app! it's hysterical!
http://ax.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/browserRedirect?url=itms%253A%252F%252Fax.itunes.apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewSoftware%253Fid%253D330648905%2526mt%253D8
MySpace, My Gang >>
MySpace, My Gang MySpace has been working on gang restrictions on their network since 2005. If we all work together, we can help other sites find and delete gang-related profiles and content. All sites with the sociallysafe.com seal will have to create policies to handle problematic content.
Secret Service IDs kid for Facebook 'assassination poll' -- no charges - The Oval: Tracking the Obama presidency
Secret Service IDs kid for Facebook
posted assassination poll -- no charges - The Oval: Tracking the Obama presidencyI watched this one with special interest. In my first book in 1997, A Parents Guide to the Internet, I shared a story about students in NJ who posed as another student and sent a death threat to the President and about the Secret Service showing up. I called that "Men in Black." Kids do these things, but even twelve years ago, couldn't get away with it. Wha were they thinking?
posted assassination poll -- no charges - The Oval: Tracking the Obama presidencyI watched this one with special interest. In my first book in 1997, A Parents Guide to the Internet, I shared a story about students in NJ who posed as another student and sent a death threat to the President and about the Secret Service showing up. I called that "Men in Black." Kids do these things, but even twelve years ago, couldn't get away with it. Wha were they thinking?
Thursday, October 01, 2009
the reaction we are getting to the ex-lawyer and Facebook
I was not familiar with the ex-lawyer who sued Facebook for failing to take down a bashing group after having "faxed a note to Facebook's CEO" complaining of the group and demnading that it come down. (I commented on the state of the law.) But apparently lots of gamers are.
Several have informed me that they will now set up a Facebook profile to show support of the scoail network, since they disrespect the lawyer so much.
His lawsuit has made Facebook cool to those who didn't think it was cool before learning of Thompson's fight against them.
That said, everyone deserves to be free of harassment online. Whether you like or respect them or not. The gamers need ot remember that, as do us all. If someone is harassing you on Facebook, don't fax their founder. Report it using the report abuse link on each page, like everyone else does. I have found Facebook to be very responsive.
My 2 cents
Several have informed me that they will now set up a Facebook profile to show support of the scoail network, since they disrespect the lawyer so much.
His lawsuit has made Facebook cool to those who didn't think it was cool before learning of Thompson's fight against them.
That said, everyone deserves to be free of harassment online. Whether you like or respect them or not. The gamers need ot remember that, as do us all. If someone is harassing you on Facebook, don't fax their founder. Report it using the report abuse link on each page, like everyone else does. I have found Facebook to be very responsive.
My 2 cents
Facebook Accused of Letting Users Threaten Florida Ex-Lawyer - Bloomberg.com
Facebook Accused of Letting Users Threaten Florida Ex-Lawyer - Bloomberg.comWhat not to do if something is posted about you on Facebook, threatening you. Sending a fax addressed to the CEO of a 300 million user network is not how to report abuses on Facebook. Had this ex-lawyer reported the abusive group the normal way designed or these purposes, it would have come down if it violated Facebook's TOS. Live and learn.
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