Jody Oliver's List: Internet Safety

"After reading about the recent conviction of cybercriminal Robert Campbell, I was reflecting on my own experiences of being harassed and bullied when I was in school, years before the World Wide Web was even a thing. What would it have been like for me if the Internet existed back then? Would that same behaviour exhibited by my tormentors have been easier to correct through technology? Would it have made a difference?"

Resources for Parents, Educators, and Professionals Serving Children, Youth, and Families

We know how important it is to protect and educate young people on using the Internet and want to provide all of our users with a safe experience.

When it comes to family safety, we aim to:

Provide parents and teachers with tools to help them choose what content their children see online
Offer tips and advice to families about how to stay safe online
Work closely with organizations such as charities, others in our industry and government bodies dedicated to protecting young people

Bullying can happen anywhere: face-to-face, by text messages or on the web. It is not limited by age, gender, or education level. It is not a phase and it is not a joke. Bullying can cause lasting harm.

"In fall 2010, Common Sense Media brought its digital citizenship campaign to Omaha, Neb., in the first of many joint town hall events with MTV and the Family Violence Prevention Fund."

"Maybe it was a joke -- with a little too much of an edge. Or maybe it was an outright attack. When it comes to cyberbullying, you know it when you see it. And if your kid is the target, you'll want to do everything in your power to make it better. "

"With the statistics piling up, it has become increasingly clear that the cruelties inflicted by cyberbullying have become a devastating reality for the majority of tweens and teens. "

"By working your way through this web site and taking part in the exciting challenges and activities, you will learn all about the Internet."

Five myths about bullying http://wapo.st/fn90qb #edchat

Free via Microsoft. Share with your teens!!

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FREE - Bullied is a documentary film that chronicles one student’s ordeal at the hands of anti-gay bullies and offers an inspiring message of hope to those fighting harassment today. It can become a cornerstone of anti-bullying efforts in middle and high schools. Order your free copy today!!

Whether we’re talking about text lingo, friending people online or the pictures our kids post online, the best tool to minimize risky behavior online is our active involvement. Most children, teens included, say that their parents are the strongest influence over the decisions they make.

But even kids that have active parents make mistakes and sometimes we have to protect our kids from other people. Therefore it is important that you are at least familiar with some of the text lingo terms that would indicate your child could be headed for trouble. Here is a small sample: