Ad4dcss/Digital Citizenship

If Congress wishes to address cyberbullying through federal legislation, it should focus on education-based approaches instead of criminalization, argue Berin Szoka and Adam Thierer in "Cyberbullying Legislation: Why Education is Preferable to Regulation," released today by The Progress & Freedom Foundation. Criminalizing what is mostly minor-on-minor behavior will not likely solve the age-old problem of kids mistreating each other, a problem that has traditionally been dealt through counseling and rehabilitation at the local level.

One problem with most of today's Internet safety messaging campaigns is that there is only one set of messages for the entire population of youth and parents. But, an extensive literature review conducted by the Internet Safety Technical Task Force Research Advisory Board found that "not all youth are equally at risk" and that "those experiencing difficulties offline, such as physical and sexual abuse, and those with other psychosocial problems are most at risk online."

Some educators have expressed an appreciation for the irony of experienced instructors who have had to learn about social media later in their careers teaching it to younger students who have grown up in an Internet environment. Despite what may seem to be somewhat of a disadvantage, the experienced teacher brings life lessons and the ability to guide students in a positive direction no matter the topic being taught. The tips, tools, and resources listed here can assist any teacher with the basics about social media and ways to share that information with students.

An Internet safety study (PDF) just released by Cox Communications shows that teens may be a bit more safety conscious than previously thought. The survey, which was done by Harris Interactive, asked 655 13- to 18-year-olds about their online and cell phone behavior, specifically addressing issues of cyberbullying and sexting. The study was in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and "America's Most Wanted Host" John Walsh.

If you're attending NECC and have an interest in Digital Citizenship topics, here are some workshops and sessions you'll want to attend:

A new survey on kids in cyberspace finds that one in five teens have "sexted" - sent or received sexually suggestive, nude or nearly nude photos through cellphone text messages or e-mail. Most teens who sexted sent the photos to girlfriends or boyfriends, but 11% sent them to strangers, according to the study made public today by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Cox Communications. Of teens who sext, 80% are under 18, the survey found.

A new survey on kids in cyberspace finds that one in five teens have "sexted" - sent or received sexually suggestive, nude or nearly nude photos through cellphone text messages or e-mail.Most teens who sexted sent the photos to girlfriends or boyfriends, but 11% sent them to strangers, according to the study made public today by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Cox Communications. Of teens who sext, 80% are under 18, the survey found.

Text messages are forcing us to rethink the way we deal with the difficult issues that arise when teenagers get involved with sex; The Times addressed this touchy issue in its June 1 editorial, "Keeping an eye on 'sexting.' " Some in law enforcement have taken extreme measures against teens who send sexually explicit words and images using cellphones and Internet sites. Their solution? Treat these kids just like adults who traffic in pornographic pictures of children.

As the prevalence of sexting cases continue to come to light, many states are grappling to determine an appropriate punishment for this frightening new trend. With no federal law on the books, kids committing the same act in different states are finding themselves facing drastically different, sometimes life-altering, punishments.

Painfully aware of this rampant trend, high school educators are very concerned about the impact sexting can have on teenage lives and are working urgently to address the problem by examining policies regarding cell phone use during school hours.

Sup228 = Workshop wiki for Renee Hobbs, Temple University, Media Education Lab with Kristin Hokanson, Michael RobbGrieco and Joyce Valenza

Hall Davidson's Updated version of Copyright for Fair Use, which is aligned with the teachings from the Code of Fair Use for Media Literacy Education (Temple University). There were a six videos on copyright law produced with Hall Davidson for KOCE Public Television.

SUP228 Best Practices in Fair Use for 21st-Century Educators - Renee Hobbs, Temple University, Media Education Lab with Katie Donnelly, Kristin Hokanson, Michael RobbGrieco and Joyce Valenza\nSunday, 6/28/2009, 12:30pm-3:30pm WWCC 145 A

Check out the commercials and curriculum ideas presented by Jamie McKenzie. Should be part of media literacy curriculum for all students.

New book for teens and tweens. Part graphic novel, part practical life skills, REAL FRIENDS VS. THE OTHER KIND by Annie Fox is here to help. The second book in the Middle School Confidential™ series, it follows a tight-knit group of fictional seventh graders--Jen, Jack, Michelle, Chris, Mateo, and Abby--as they work to strengthen friendships while navigating tough social situations.

Cyberbullying: Using Virtual Scenarios to Educate and Raise Awareness [Research Paper: Discussion] Vivian Wright, The University of Alabama with Joy Burnham, Chris Inman and Heather Ogorchock Monday, 6/29/2009, 8:30am-9:30am WWCC 159, Table: 1 This session will teach educators how to use student feedback and reactions to scenarios created in Second Life to educate and raise awareness on cyberbullying prevention techniques.

he bullying seemed inescapable. His family and friends say it followed Iain Steele from junior high to high school -- from hallways, where one tormentor shoved him into lockers, to cyberspace, where another posted a video on Facebook making fun of his taste for heavy metal music.

To help spark ideas and stimulate discussion following the release of the President's cyberspace policy review, last Friday we teamed up with the Center for a New American Security to bring together a panel of experts representing government, military, and industry for a Google D.C. Talk, "Developing a National Cybersecurity Strategy."

A new study shows that many children in grades 6 through 10 have either bullied classmates or been bullied by them, sometimes online or through cell phones. The study by the National Institutes of Health, released online June 29 in the Journal of Adolescent Medicine, analyzed data from the World Health Organization's 2005/2006 survey of human behavior in school-aged children.

Members of an internet safety task force on July 8 suggested several ways to improve cyber safety for children, focusing on three key areas in particular: education before a child gets on the internet, control while the child is online, and having set procedures if problems arise. The task force, which included representatives from Verizon, Comcast, Cox, Google, Yahoo!, AOL, Symantec, Common Sense Media, the Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe), the National Parent-Teacher Association, Family Online Safety Institute, and the Children's Partnership, met for more than a year to develop its report and recommendations.