Transcript The Joys and Pitfalls of Social Networking

The Joys and Pitfalls of
Social Networking
Chelmsford Public Library
November 30, 2006
Social Networking
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The use of a website to connect with
people who share personal or
professional interests, place of origin,
education at a particular school, etc.
"social networking." Webster's New Millennium™ Dictionary of English,
Preview Edition (v 0.9.6). Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. 28 Nov. 2006.
<Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/social
networking>
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Online communities
Today…
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Flickr
YouTube
E-mail
Instant Messaging
Blog
MySpace
Are you a user?
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87% of U.S. teens aged 12-17 use
the internet, up from 73% in 2000.
66% of adults use the internet, up
from 56% in 2000.
Lenhart, Amanda; Madden, Mary and Hitlin, Paul. Teens and Technology: Youth are
leading the transition to a fully wired and mobile nation, Pew Internet & American
Life project, July 27, 2005,
http//www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Teens_Tech_July2005web.pdf, accessed on
November 28, 2006.
What are teens doing online?
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81% are playing online games
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76% get news
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43% are shopping
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31% get health information
Lenhart, Amanda; Madden, Mary and Hitlin, Paul. Teens and Technology: Youth are leading the
transition to a fully wired and mobile nation, Pew Internet & American Life project, July 27, 2005,
http//www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Teens_Tech_July2005web.pdf,accessed on November 28,
2006.
“Their Space”
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Socialize
friends, classmates, world
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Create
writing, decorating
Connect
similar interest communities
So…it’s not going away!!!
Teen Internet Safety Tips
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Be as anonymous as possible
Protect your info
Avoid in-person meetings
Photos: Think before posting!
Be honest about your age
Check comments regularly
Be aware of grooming
How Predators Groom Their
Victims
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"Let's go private." (leave the public chatroom and create a
private chat or move to instant-messaging or phone
texting)
"Where's your computer in the house?" (to see if parents
might be around)
"Who's your favorite band? designer? film? gear?"
(questions like these tell the groomer more about you so
they know what gifts to offer - e.g., concert tickets;
Webcam, software, clothes, CDs)
"I know someone who can get you a modeling job."
(flattery, they figure, will get them everywhere)
"I know a way you can earn money fast." (one of the
tactics that snagged Justin Berry, 13, into what became his
Webcam prostitution business, reported by the New York
Times)
Magid, Larry and Anne Collier. MySpace Unraveled: A Parent’s Guide
to Teen Social Networking. Berkeley:Peachpit Press, 2007.
How Predators Groom Their
Victims
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"You seem sad. Tell me what's bothering you." (the
sympathy schtick)
"What's your phone number?" (asking for personal info of
any kind - usually happens at a later stage, after the
target's feeling comfortable with the groomer - but all
online kids know not to give out personal info online,
right?!)
"If you don't... [do what I ask], I'll... [tell your parents OR
share your photos in a photo blog / Webcam directory /
file-sharing network]" (intimidation - used as the groomer
learns more and more about the target)
"You are the love of my life." (what "Amy," 15, fell for
before traveling out of state to meet someone who'd
groomed her - see "Amy's Story" at Netsmartz.org)
Magid, Larry and Anne Collier. MySpace Unraveled: A Parent’s Guide
to Teen Social Networking. Berkeley:Peachpit Press, 2007.
Parent Social Networking Tips
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Be reasonable and try to set reasonable
expectations
Be open with your teens
Talk with your kids about
how they use the services
Consider requiring that all online activity
take place in a central area of the home
Try to get your kids to share their blogs or
online profiles with you
Filtering Software
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CYBERsitter
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Net Nanny
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CyberPatrol
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Norton Parental Controls
Helpful Sites
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BlogSafety.com
Social networking site about social
networking
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Safeteens.com
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Safekids.com
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NetSmartz.org
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Cybertipline.org
Blogging Sites for Kids!
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Imbee.com
The first social networking and blogging
destination for kids, parents, and families.
Neopets.com
Create virtual pets, interactive
Tweenland.com
Virtual community for the younger crowd.
EXPLORE!!!