Cyber Safe Ohio:

Beyond Internet Safety

Creating Safe Learning
Environments in Ohio Schools
TOPICS
1. Using Technology
2. Cyber Issues
3. Teacher Involvement
4. Tips and Resources
Using Technology
Using Technology
The Internet has dramatically changed our world and the
way we interact within it.
Faster communication
Advanced research techniques
Up-to-the minute news
Entertainment
Online shopping and services
Financial management
Using Technology
Has the use of technology affected the way our kids
communicate?
Safety on the social Web is not about technology; it's about
behavior, human relationships - civility, consideration, and
common sense. These are things parents and kids have
been talking about since long before the telephone even,
long before anything we think of as technology.
Fox Interactive Media/MySpace Chief Security Officer
Hemanshu (Hemu) Nigam
Using Technology
Student Online Behavior
80% of students spend several hours each day using
technology.
30% of students say e-mail, chat rooms, or instant
messaging is the main way they stay in contact with
their friends.
38% of students feel freer to do what they want on the
Internet.
31% of students say it is easier to talk with people on
the Internet than in real life.
According to a 2003-2004 i-SAFE survey of 20,000 5
th
-8
th
grade students.
Using Technology
Risky Student Behavior Online
55% of students admitted giving their personal
information (name, sex, age, etc.) out over the
Internet.
25% of students believed there was nothing
wrong with chatting with strangers online.
10% of students had met someone face-to-face
that they previously met on the Internet.
According to a 2003-2004 i-SAFE survey of 20,000 5
th
-8
th
grade students
Source: http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/7593.pdf
Using Technology
Using Technology
Nearly one in three (31%)
8-18 year olds say that
most of the time when
they are doing homework,
they are also using one
medium such as: watching
TV, texting, listening to
music, etc.

Source: http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/7593.pdf
Using Technology
For the full report, go to: Rochester Institute of Technology http://www.rrcsei.org/research.html
Using Technology
Using Technology
Internet Socializing is Not a Bad Thing

It may look as though kids are wasting a lot of time hanging out
with new media, whether its on MySpace or sending instant
messages, said Mizuko Ito, lead researcher on the study, Living
and Learning With New Media.

But their participation is giving them the technological skills and
literacy they need to succeed in the contemporary world. Theyre
learning how to get along with others, how to manage a public
identity, how to create a home page.
According to a study by the MacArthur Foundation. http://digitalyouth.ischool.berkeley.edu/files/report/digitalyouth-
WhitePaper.pdf
Using Technology
On the Flip Side
Kids can practice social skills using technology.
Because socializing via technology isn't as
immediate as face-to-face interactions, kids have
more time to think about a situation before they
respond.
This is an opportunity for them to experiment
with greetings, responses, etc.
Using Technology
Kids in Ohio are Saying
When shown the Ryan Halligan video, a fifth grader
said that he has felt that way too but never acted on it.
A fifth grade girl said that she is receiving creepy
emails and it scares her so much that her mom has to
sleep in her room.
A group of students disclosed that a boy has been
sending naked pictures of himself for a year and no one
had told an adult.
Using Technology
Kids in Ohio are Saying
Students, as young as fifth graders, have disclosed that
they have received inappropriate pictures and texts
from older adults they did not know.
Kids want to debate, what is wrong with sexing and
virtual sex?
Many students believe that bullying, intimidation and
harassment are normal issues in schools.
Using Technology
Kids in Ohio are Saying

What to say or do if they receive a weird, creepy,
mean, inappropriate text or pictures?
What to do if they are asked to send
inappropriate sexual text or pictures?
What to do if they receive an inappropriate
sext or picture?
Using Technology
Ohio Statewide Discipline Data

Source: Ohio Department of Education
Cyber Issues
Cyber Issues
Bullying definition from Ohio Department of Education Model School
Policy re: Ohio HIB Law

Any intentional written, verbal, graphic, or physical act that a student
or group of students exhibited toward another particular student more
than once and the behavior both:
Causes mental or physical harm to the other
student; and
Is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an
intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for the
other student.

Electronically transmitted acts (i.e., through the Internet, a cell phone,
personal digital assistance (PDA) or wireless hand-held device.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON Ohio Anti HIB, MODEL SCHOOL POLICY OR RESPONSIBILITIES
PERTAINING SPECIFICALLY TO PROCEDURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO SCHOOLS GO TO:
WWW.ODE.STATE.OH.US
Cyber Issues
What should we be aware of when it comes
to Cyber Misuse?
1. Internet Predators
2. Cyber Stalking
3. Cyberbullying
4. Sexting
Cyber Issues

Often the Predator:
Appears familiar
Develops trust
Establishes secrecy
Erodes barriers
Direct intimidation
Face-to-face meeting



* Remember, 69% of
teens regularly receive
personal messages
online from people
they dont know and
most of them dont tell
a trusted adult about it.

Internet Predators
*According to a study from www.cox.com
Cyber Issues

A study of stalking by the U.S.
Justice Department's Bureau of
Justice Statistics released January
2009 confirmed that stalking by
texting has become a pervasive
problem.

The report found that 23 percent
of stalking or harassment victims
reported in 2006 that the stalker
had used some form of cyber
stalking, such as cell phone texting
or email, to harass them.
Cyber stalking particularly by cell phone is becoming more common, according to a study
SOURCE: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/svus.pdf
Cyber Stalking
Cyber Issues
According to a 2004 i-SAFE survey of 1,500 middle
school students, it was reported that while online:
52% said hurtful or angry things to another person.
57% had someone say hurtful or angry things to them.
Cyber Bullying
Cyber Issues

Tools
Instant Messages
E-mail
Webpages
Weblogs
Cell Phones
Cyber Bullying
Cyber Issues
What is Sexting
(Verb)
Texting sexual or vulgar material including
text messages, pictures and videos.
Sexting
Cyber Issues
Ohio girl admits to sending nude cell
phone photos
A 15-year-old Ohio girl has admitted in
juvenile court to sending inappropriate cell
phone photos of herself.

The girl entered a plea to admit to one
count of possession of criminal tools in the
Juvenile Division of Licking County
Common Pleas Court in central Ohio.
Sexting
Cyber Issues

Ohio Teen committed
suicide over cell phone
pictures.
18-year-old Jesse Logan
took her own life after an
inappropriate picture of
her was passed around by
e-mail.
Sexting
Cyber Issues
What's wrong with sexting?

1. Its a felony of the 2
nd
degree.
2. If found guilty, you will have to register as a
sexual offender for 25 years.
3. 90% of cases occur as revenge.

Sexting
Cyber Issues
What's wrong with sexting?

1. If your little brother or sister sent an
inappropriate picture, would that be okay?
2. What about your parents?
3. Dont have a double standard!
Sexting
Cyber Issues

I dont see what the big deal is, its my body
75% of teens say sending sexually suggestive
content can have serious negative
consequences.
Yet, 39% have sent or posted suggestive
messages and 20% have sent or posted
nude/suggestive images of themselves.
Source: http://www.stayteen.org/features/sextech.aspx
Sexting
Cyber Issues
The $1,000,000 question is WHY?
51% of girls and 18% of boys say its
PRESSURE!
Sexting
Teacher Involvement
Teacher Involvement
Teachers in Ohio are Saying
Misuse of technology takes up too much
teaching time.
I had students that were under achievers who
excelled when allowed to use technology to
learn.
We are locked down at school.
South Euclid lets students use their cell phones
as clickers in the classroom.
Teacher Involvement
This is a community problem
Think of organizing a group of allied
professionals, parents and students to work on
what Cyber issues are happening and what
solutions can be created to work on this issue.
The group may look like Child Abuse MDT teams,
DV Task Force.
Teacher Involvement
Teacher Involvement

In addition to talking about safe online communication with your
students, you can extend your understanding and awareness of your
students online activity if you:
Learn about how students are using technology, at least to
some degree.
Do not diminish the importance of your student's
communication via technology. It's a social lifeline.
Sometimes it's the only way students communicate with their
friends.
Walk your talk. Take steps to protect your own online privacy
and safety. Be aware of how you use the Internet.
Teacher Involvement
Model the behavior you want your students to have. Are you
on your mobile or tech devices at inappropriate times? Set
ground rules for yourself and follow through. Be a good tech
role model for students..
Mentor students: Teach students heres what I want you to do,
heres whats appropriate. Remind students that it is a privilege
to have technology and that there are certain times it wont be
available.
Encourage parents who may want to set up an agreement with
their child about usage, much the same way they do about setting
up driving contracts with teens.
Teacher Involvement
Mediate: If monitoring shows a real deviation
in the students behavior, say:

I have noticed that you have not been using your
technology according to our agreement. Heres
what we can do until you show you can use the
technology in a more responsible way.

Show them that the negative behavior is
noticed and has consequences.
Tips and Resources
Tips and Resources
Prevention
Identify stakeholders in your community.
Assess harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) in your school.
Train in bullying prevention.

Intervention
Advocate for consistent and appropriate interventions in HIB situations.
Identify best practices and model programs.
Continue efforts over time.
Include safety planning for targets of HIB.
Work with law enforcement (SROs), PTA and community members on
forming group to coordinate activities.
Tips and Resources
Does your district currently have an Anti HIB policy in place?
Do you know what your district AUP states?

Who could you partner with to increase awareness, education ,
outreach in your community?

Do you have the ability to partner with IT staff to identify
problems areas or concerns with usage of technology as it related
to HIB?

Have you or can you provide opportunities for cross training,
competency building on this issue in your district?


Tips and Resources
Engage Your Community
Approach HIB with proactive, educational responses.
For example:
Establish a comprehensive approach to school climate.
Model a consistent district and community wide response.
Work with a diverse group of students to create an HIB Web
site.
Develop or institute a district/building/community wide
program to encourage responsible Internet use (e.g. ISAFE
or Netsmartz)
Familiarize and become competent with Web culture and the
way kids communicate online.

Tips and Resources
Offer Tips to Families
Have fun being a part of your childs online experience.
Take computer classes at your local library.
Keep the computer where everyone sees the screen.
Dont post your personal information and beware of requests for
your personal information online. Talk to your child about what
and what not to post.
Teach your child how to recognize and avoid predators.
Report strangers who solicit meetings with any child.
Report cyber bullying and threats.
Ask to see a copy of your school policy on HIB.
Install and operate updated security software.
Tips and Resources
The Office of the Ohio Attorney General has partnered
with i-SAFE and Netsmartz. These agencies are dedicated
to educating and empowering youth to safely and
responsibly take control of their Internet experience.
Tips and Resources
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is
promoting Cyber Safety through
Juvenile and Youth Programs provides free programs to
school, law enforcement, students and others on violence
prevention.
Ohio Missing Childrens Clearinghouse makes
information about missing children and adults available to
other agencies. Example: Amber Alert.
The Bureau of Criminal Investigations operates a cyber
crime unit which identifies and investigates cyber crime.
Thank you for Attending!
For additional information
please contact:
Kathleen Nichols
Ohio Attorney Generals Office
Kathleen.Nichols@OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov