Part I – Information on the table
Ryan Halligan
Frontline – Growing up Online on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2owK4tpMUrk&feature=related
Tyler Clementi – NY Timeis
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/03/weekinreview/03schwartz.html
Phoebe Prince – Good Morning America
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/girls-teen-suicide-calls-attention-cyberbullying/story?id=9685026
Netsmartz
http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents
Teens- real life stories
Cyberbullying – Broken Friendship/ You Can’t Take it Back
Teens Talk Back
Offline Consequences
Social Networking
Gaming
Slap that Ho Game
http://www.aeonity.com/ab/games/simulation/slap-that-ho.php
Tip Sheets
Sexting
Part II – Communicating with Your Teen
Steve’s child development document
Internet Safety Guidelines/Agreement
Part III – Parental controls – software etc.
Part IV – Question and Answer
Middle School Adolescents
What to Expect…
- Puberty – Sooner or later, it comes. Some kids mature early, some late. Hormones. Girls – breast development, menstruation. Boys – body hair, change of voice.
- Body image – This becomes very important. Cultural/media images and expectations bombard kids.
- Authority – Children start to pull away from us old timers. Less idealized view of parents.
- Peers – They are increasingly important. Bullying and cliques can increase.
- “Finding their Tribe” – Children are looking for belonging and meaning. “Where do I fit in”? Identity outside of the family. Social groups, rejection, popularity.
- Risk taking – Exposure to risk-taking activities increases. Smoking, drugs, sexual experimentation.
- Inconsistent judgment – Thinking and judgment are at times brilliant and at times… not!
- Personality changes – Introspection, egocentrism, self-consciousness, moodiness.
What Adults Can Do To Be Helpful…
- Have an open, honest, supportive relationship with your child.
- Be a good role model – lifestyle, values.
- Body image – Encourage good nutrition, healthy snacks, activity.
- Authority – Give your child opportunities to stay connected AND opportunities to spread his/her wings. Expectations, responsibility, limit-setting.
- Risk-taking – Must monitor your child’s activities in a way he/she can accept. Discuss this with him/her. Plan with him/her.
- Bullying and cliques – set expectations. Discuss right and wrong but not judgmentally – moral development. Bring issues into group discussions in school.
- Pay attention to how you communicate with your child. Make sure your child is heard, that he/she knows you take him/her seriously, that you can compromise or change your mind if he/she convinces you.
Internet Safety Guidelines for Parents
- Develop clear rules for Internet use for your child. Include discussion of all computers, i.e. not only home computers, but also computers in public places, cell phones and other devices that can access the Internet.
- Talk to children about safe use, including the following:
- Never meeting with anyone they have met online
- Never responding to material that makes them feel uncomfortable or that is offensive, such as sexual material, threatening or violent material
- Never giving out personal, identifying information
- Talk to children about areas of risk, such as child pornography and cyber-bullying. Make sure children know what to do when encountering these topics…Leave the computer and tell you or another trusted adult.
- Make sure children know what to do when encountering material that makes them uncomfortable or frightened…. Leave the computer and tell you or another adult they trust.
- Always keep computers with Internet access in common areas, not in bedrooms or other areas that allow unmonitored use.
- Be informed about Internet use, risks and safeguards available to parents onsider software products, such as filters and blockers, that will help preserve a safe environment for Internet use.
Developed by Steve Hoff and Bob O’Haver 2/10
Internet Safety Agreement for Middle and High School Students
- I will discuss Internet use rules with my parents and I pledge to follow those rules.
- I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.
- I will always use the Internet responsibly and safely. I will respect others and expect that those I communicate with respect me.
- I will not give out personal information such as my full name, address, telephone number, parents' work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parents' permission.
- I will never agree to get together with someone I "meet" online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and bring my mom or dad along.
- I will not send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.
- I will not respond to any messages that are mean or make me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do, I will tell my parents right away so that they can contact the online service.