Online Child Safety

Is your child or teenager a frequent social networking site user such as MySpace or Facebook? If so, have you put any rules in order to keep your child safe on those sites? Experts in the area suggest several different tactics to ensure that your child has a safe experience while surfing through social networking sites. The school district in La Crosse, Wisconsin went so far as to offer a course to help parents keep their children safe online.

The La Crosse School District and the Coulee Region Internet Protection Task Force will host a parent presentation Monday at Logan Middle School.

The presentation will cover the latest trends in social networking and help parents better understand safety measures available. The task force also will provide an update on what is happening in the area as well as on other trends.

Sedevie said the task force has worked on three Internet predator cases that started on a social networking site.

“The reality is we live in a technology-centered society, and we are educating our students to use technology in their education,” said Sue Peterson, community outreach coordinator for La Crosse schools.

 

KIDS Act

On October 13, the Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act of 2008 became law. Also known as the KIDS Act, the summary of the bill is as follows:

Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act of 2008 or the KIDS Act of 2008 – Directs the Attorney General to: (1) require sex offenders to provide to the National Sex Offender Registry all Internet identifiers (i.e., email addresses and other designations used for self-identification or routing in Internet communication or posting) used by such offenders; (2) specify requirements for keeping Internet identifier information current; (3) exempt Internet identifiers provided by a sex offender from public disclosure; and (4) establish procedures to notify sex offenders of changes in requirements for providing Internet identifier information.

Requires the Attorney General to establish and maintain a secure system to allow social networking websites to compare information contained in the National Sex Offender Registry with the Internet identifiers of users of their websites. Allows social networking websites to use such system to conduct searches as frequently as the Attorney General may allow. Authorizes the Attorney General to deny, suspend, or terminate use of the system by a social networking website for misuse.

Prohibits the Attorney General and social networking websites from releasing to the public any list of the Internet identifiers of sex offenders.

Exempts a social networking website from civil claims in federal or state court arising from: (1) use of the National Sex Offender Registry unless such website engages in actual malice, intentional misconduct, or reckless disregard to a substantial risk of causing injury without legal justification; and (2) any decision not to compare its database with the online identifiers contained in the National Sex Offender Registry.

Amends the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 to revise the minimum standards, under a pilot program, for electronic monitoring of sex offenders to eliminate requirements that the tracking device: (1) contain cellular technology in a single unit; and (2) provide two- and three-way voice communication.

Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying has become a problem in today’s youth society of computers and cell phones, so the state of Florida decided to get some cyber bullying laws on the books.

Bullying and, in particular, cyber-bullying is becoming a frequent practice among the American youth.  Incidents are reaching such daunting results that state legislatures are rapidly adopting measures.  For instance, Florida Legislature adopted an anti-bullying, including cyber-bullying, law on April 2008. The law is called "Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act" (Fla. Stat. section 1006.147), named after Jeffrey Johnston, a 15-year-old boy who committed suicide after being the object of bullying, including Internet bullying, for two years.  This new Florida law prohibits bullying and harassment of any public K-12 student or employee, and requires public schools to adopt measures to protect students and employees from the physical and psychological effects of bullying and harassment.

Harassment is defined as any verbal, written, or physical conduct that threatens, insults, or dehumanizes public school students or employees.  Written harassment includes those committed through electronic means and the use of computer software.  The conduct must be sufficient to place the student or employee in reasonable fear of harm against him or his property; and sufficient to interfere with the student"s school performance, opportunities, or benefits.   The Florida anti-bullying law also penalizes those who induce or coerce others to bully or harass public school students or employees.  Students, parents, volunteers, or employees that promptly and in good faith report bullying acts will be exempted from civil cause of actions against them.

Anything that can help our children focus on getting a good education and not worry about being bullied in school is a fantastic step in the right direction.

 

Google Street View Questionable?

Is Google Street View really something to worry about? It is according to children’s advocacy group Stop Child Predators. The group aims to educate the public on technology available on the internet that may compromise a child’s safety. High on that list is Google’s Street View application, which allows users to view actual photographs of just about any building in the country.

A special focus of the campaign is devoted to a particularly alarming technology provided by Google maps. As part of the launch, Ms. Rumenap is featured in a video on www.StopInternetPredators.org, which shows how the Google "Street View" application allows Internet users to view high resolution pictures of homes, schools, and in some cases, children playing outside, simply by typing in a local address.

"This technology shows anyone in the world our communities, and exposes not only the routes from the bus stops to homes, but our children, without ever stepping foot in our neighborhoods," said Ms. Rumenap.

If you are interested in more information on the organization, visit their website.

 

Social Networking Safety

Does your child use a social networking site that you don’t know about? One mother in Columbia, Missouri discovered her daughter was using social networking site MySpace without her knowledge, which included questionable material on the child’s page. Is this something that all parents should be concerned with?

But local authorities say that a little sneaking around can become very dangerous when it involves the Internet. Social networking sites often attract adult predators who share and solicit inappropriate materials and attempt to set up in-person meetings with kids.

"Internet safety is as important in Columbia, Mo., as it is in New York, N.Y.," said James Finch, assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, who spoke about the topic this spring at Lange Middle School. "The FBI is working every day to protect Americans no matter where they live."

It is important to remember to monitor all of your child’s activities when it comes to technology, including what they may be downloading off the internet as well as who they are conversing with on their cell phones. Staying up to date on technology is a great way to ensure that your child is as safe as possible.

 

States Fight Back

States are becoming more proactive about child protection laws, especially when it comes to the internet. New Hampshire is the latest state to take on the issue of sexual predators online and has passed legislation to help protect the state’s children.

"We want to send a very clear message to those who might be tempted to lure our young people over the Internet: Stay out of New Hampshire. The Online Child Safety Act modernizes our laws to help protect children from the threats of the 21st century," Gov. Lynch said. "While the Internet holds tremendous opportunity for New Hampshire’s children, it also has the potential to be a dangerous place for kids, and this law will help protect them."

The Online Child Safety Act further builds on the Child Protection Act which the state passed in 2006 to better protect children from sexual predators who target them over the internet. The addendums to the law close many loopholes and strengthen other
penalties included.