This is great information to distribute at your next PTA meeting! The MySpace folks put control back in the hands of parents with their new ParentCare Software, a free, simple software tool designed to help parents safeguard their teens. ParentCare helps parents determine whether a child has a MySpace profile and validates the age, user name, and location listed by the teen. Currently in beta form and available for Windows users only. Both MySpace and IKeepSafe provide links to the download. The IKeepSafe site provides an additional flash video explaining the software. It is located at: http://www.ikeepsafe.org/parentcare/index.php

How media smart are you? How about your children or students? Sometimes called media literacy or information literacy, it's a key 21st Century skill because it provides a framework and method to think critically about the media you consume and create. Being media smart also means you know how to use television, the Internet and other technologies safely, productively and ethically.

3rd in the Cybercop Series. MIRROR IMAGE tells the story of teenagers Sheena and Megan, best friends who are victimized by a criminal who uses the Internet to lure young women with promises of modeling contracts and online romance. Neither of the girls realizes that hacking software has been placed on their computers during their conversations with their 'online boyfriends.' Soon Sheena and Megan begin to suspect that someone is stalking them in real life. Players work with a detective to track the predator and arrest him. Available both as a home edition and a school edition. [Windows and Mac OSX versions available]

Cute cybersafety video with a singing sock puppet. Would be appropriate for elementary grades.

Presentation at the K-12HSN Conference Online by Joseph Bires. A discussion of how the use of Web 2.0 technologies has challenged and changed the concept of acceptable use. The presenter suggests ways to balance protecting students, teachers, and schools from the dangers of the Internet, while still integrating Web 2.0 technologies into the K-12 curriculum. Also, philosophical issues of acceptable use are discussed such as identity and transparency. Finally, practical suggestions are shared to help every teacher and administrator. This talk is available as an MP3 audio file and an audiofile blog.

The Cecil County Public Schools in Cecil County MD have produced this somber PSA (available in Quicktime or Windows Media Player versions) warning students of the dangers of posting too much personal information online.

This new series of four PSA's from Netsmartz target different audiences, including parents, teens and young kids.

Yahoo Safely collection of Internet Safety videos in partnership with IKeepSafe.org. Educators will particularly appreciate the free Tim & Moby clips from Brainpop as a way to present and discuss Internet Safety.

By mandating schools restrict internet access, CIPA and other federal and state legislation intend to guard students' safety online-but all they may be doing is keeping vital educational technology out of the classroom. No one disputes the need to protect kids from the harm that lurks online. What's at issue is whether or not mandated internet filters are the best way to achieve those safeguards-or whether the filters aren't up to the task and are actually interfering with the educational mission by obstructing use of important Web 2.0 tools.

The Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) is made up of police forces from around the world working together to fight online child abuse. Check out their PSA, "Think You Know Who You are Talking To?"

Four suspects pleaded guilty to raping a Seattle-area girl who later identified two of her attackers on her MySpace page.

School Library Journal [Jan 07] Practical advice from attorney and cybersafety expert, Nancy Willard, on a common sense approach to online safety. Nancy proposes that library media specialists add "stranger literacy" to their curriculum for information literacy to help teens and children learn to assess the safety and trustworthiness of online encounters. She also offers helpful guidelines.

Based in Virginia, the Safe Surfin' Foundation works with the Department of Justice and provides parents, teachers and school administrators, law enforcement, community groups and librarians with the information and resources necessary to educate the public about cyberpredators and protect children from Internet crimes.

The use of web filters runs counter to 21st century learning. Great editorial from THE JOURNAL (Jun 08) on putting the filter in student heads by teaching them responsibility rather than locking them out of sites with filters.

Sexual predators are using gaming consoles such as the Wii, PlayStation and Xbox to meet children online. "Child predators are migrating from traditional methods to alternate media," says Detective Lt. Thomas Kish of the Michigan State Police. "They are going to places where children are." Predators view games that allow kids to access the Internet and text message other players as a "foot in the door," he says.

This short lecture was presented as part of the April 30, 2008 meeting of the Internet Safety Technical Task Force in Washington, DC. The speaker is Amanda Lenhart of the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

Generate strong passwords with a free password generator program.

What is the best way to open a discussion with your children, on a complicated subject such as online safety? Can Mom and Dad get "it"? In this article, Norton's Internet Safety Advocate Marian Merritt introduces easy ways to help you start "The Talk", and keep the dialogue going with your family. Includes 5 questions you should ask and talking tips to guide you in the conversation.

Cyberbullying is becoming so prevalent in Canadian schools and society that it should be made a separate Criminal Code offense, according to a new policy that will be adopted Saturday by the Canadian Teachers' Federation.

John Walsh, children's advocate and host of America's Most Wanted, will discuss what parents and guardians can do to help protect and educate their children about the potential dangers of online predators and offer tips for safer surfing. Live Webcast. Wednesday, July 23, 2008 1:00 PM Eastern