STUDENTS IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Social Networking

Definition: Building online communities of those that share interests and activities.

Examples: Myspace Facebook Twitter

“Online communication is dependant upon not only the words on the screen but also the interpretation of those words.”

Social Networking Statistics

61% of teens have personal information on social networking sites

71% of teens report receiving messages from strangers

45% have exchanged personal information with strangers

Information will never disappear – even after deleting

Social Networking Statistics

34% of teens saw sexual content Online sexual harassment of teens

increased from 5%-9% from ’07-’08 30% have attempted to meet 65% said personal information is “safe” 48% said parents no “nothing”

Teenage Sites

My Space & Facebook Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example

Text Messaging

Definition: Use of cell phone to type text. Form of instant messaging

Can be used for bullying Blind texting (in schools) Often use acronyms

143 = I Love You PIR = Parent in Room 20 = Location

PO = Pants Off CYO = See You Online 9 = Parent is Watching

1174 = Nude Club GNOC = Get Naked On Camera

A/S/L/P = Age, Sex, Location, Picture

Text Messaging

Text Messaging

Text Messaging Statistics

87% of teens use text messaging on daily basis

78% prefer texting over talking on phone 71% of teens have sent “suggestive” text

to girlfriend/boyfriend 74% of teens say they could not “live”

without their cell phone

Sexting

Defined: When a person sends or receives a nude or semi-nude photo via their cell phone

Responsibilities of recipient Defining guilt associated with sexting

(recipient and sender)

Cyber Bullying

“Involves the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others.”

Growing trend due to anonymity Elyria City Schools policy

Cyber Bullying Statistics

42% have been bullied online 53% of teens admit to cyber bullying 58% of teens don’t tell anyone 35% of teens have been physically

threatened online 64% say they were “joking”

Bullying Methods

Myspace Facebook Text Messaging Instant Messaging

Cyberbullying vs. Bullying Trends

Cyberbullying Anonymity Leaves a trail Higher frequency

due to access No “typical” case Typically occurs off

school property

Bullying Harder to prove Often done on

school grounds More common

among boys

Ohio Law

Senate Bill 126 Covers behaviors OFF school property that

“disrupt” the educational environment of the school

Incorporates “electronic means” into the definition of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying

Harassment laws must include “cyberbullying” in written code

Requires training for school administrators on issues related to harassment via digital means.

Requires admission by administrators of known “telecommunications harassment” done on school grounds/school transportation

Impact on School Districts

Increase in on-campus student conflicts due to cyber communications

Diligent monitoring of cell phones and publicly accessible sites

Increased concern regarding free speech and privacy issues

Improved cell phone policies and procedures

School Responsibilities

Protect ALL students Contact parents/guardian Educate students about dangers of

sexting, cyber bullying, online safety Pro-active strategies (e.g. Eastern

Heights Anti-Bullying pledge)

Student Rights

Freedom of Speech Protected behavior off school grounds Parental responsibility vs. School

administrator responsibility Difficult to prove “harmful intent” of

electronic messages

Male vs. Female Trends

Phoebe’s Story

14 years old Massachusetts's student Cyberbullied via text messaging &

Facebook School administrators “knew of” the

bullying but were not charged 6 teenagers were charged with violating

civil rights and harassment Hanged herself in her family home – 3

months after bullying started Video

Educators Role

ODE position Liability/Accountability Understanding 21st Century Learners Nothing goes away Common Sense Approach