Internet Safety

(1) For my article of choice, I read "Mixed Signals" from the June 2001 New Era.

(2)I spent my 60 minutes watching the following videos:
-Netzsmart Cyberbullying:Feathers in the Wind.
This video had a simple but powerful message in the form of an old folk tale. Once you say something, you cannot take it back. The same goes for typing or posting anything to the internet. Once you say it, it's out of your hands.
-Netzsmart Cyberbullying: You Can't Take it Back.
Wow. I cannot believe kids can be so mean! Some boys had created a hot or not website for the girls at their school. They all rated the girls on their appearance and then posted their comments to the website. One of the boys realized that once you put things on the internet, you lose control of what happens to it. People can use it in ways you didn't mean for it to be used.
-Netzsmart Cyberbullying:Broken Friendship.
Again, meanness! This video is one of the main reasons you should never share your password with anyone. Keeping it a secret is one of the best ways to protect yourself.
-Netzsmart Julie's Journey and Amy's Story.
Both videos are narrated by girls who started an internet relationship with a man they did not know. One ran away with the man for THREE WEEKS!! Later both men were found, arrested and sent to jail. A prime example of what NOT to do. Do NOT be so foolish. Great videos to warn young girls about this type of behavior.
-Netzsmart Tracking Teresa.
Wow. This was really an eye opener! They found a posting Teressa had made online, which included her phone number. Her phone number then could be linked to her a name, then to an address, then to the school Teressa attended, and times she would most likely be home as well as when her mother worked. Be aware of EVERYTHING you post online and the consequences it might have.
-Netsmart Kiesha's Crime.
This video was horribly made in animation and narration. The principle behind it, however, is true. Cyberbullying can take place between your best friend or your worst enemy. Be careful.
-Netzsmart Angela's Experience.
Also horribly made in animation and narration. The principle behind this video? If you are a victim of cyberbullying, the best thing to do is turn your computer off. Tell an adult and work it out together. The behavior is unacceptable, and with the help of an adult you can nip it in the butt.
-KeepSafe Faux Paw.
This would be a great video to show in the classroom. Faux Paw (a cat) meets a stranger online and agrees to meet them. The stranger turns out to be a mean bull dog who wants to hurt Faux Paw. Luckily, Faux Paw is rescued. McGruff then offers safety tips to avoid encounters like Faux Paw had.
-Frontline PBS Documentary
Revloution in classrooms and social life highlighted this generation's involvement and dependence upon technology. All students use cell phones, myspace, facebook, etc. One teacher noted that discretion and privacy are a thing of the past.
Child Predator Fear featured a mother who, concerned for her children's safety, places the one househould computer in the living room and takes multiple precautions to implement internet safety at home. One study, however, noted that 1 in 7 children are sexually solicited.
Cyberbullying just about broke my heart. A 13 year old boy took his life after chatting with a friend for months about suicide. The online friend even commended the boy, telling him it was about time! INSANE.
-Katie's Story
Incorporating a video game as an instructional tool for teaching internet safety is a great idea! It helped Katie make comparisons between the game and her own situation. In the end she was able to realize that "John" could be potentially dangerous. It turns out he was. He is now convicted and in prison, but because Katie was smart and informed, she remained unharmed.

(3)My most important take-aways include wise advice given in the readings and videos. From the readings, Elder Bednar's talk was the most powerful. He said that we should not neglect eternal relationships for digital videogaming or online socializing. He added a commandment from the Lord: "Thou shalt not idle away they time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it might not be known." The adversary wants us to disconnect from reality, and he uses modern technology to accomplish those designs. We need to keep in mind that immoral thoughts, words, and deeds are still immoral in cyberspace. When engaging in the use of technology, we should ask ourselves if (1) it invites or impedes the spirit and (2)it enlarges or decreases our time to serve others. Elder Ballard echoed Elder Bednar's words when he counseled that we must choose wisely what we watch and what we listen to. The biggest take home message from the videos is that we should be most careful with what we post on the internet. This relates to personal information, gossip in emails or IMs, and people we may come in contact with on the net. The most important thing we can do is to be informed and aware of the consequences of our cyberspace actions.
(4) i. Mindy knew that you shouldn't talk or chat to strangers online. Don't arrange to meet someone you met online in real life. You shouldn't give any personal information out over the web (credit card number, social security number, bank info, etc.). She also knew that you should always keep your password a secret. Mindy knew that she should not visit pornographic websites or other unsafe cites. She also knew that she shouldn't make her blog public.
ii. Mindy was appauled at the improper use of technology and the cyberbullying that takes place in schools. She does not use the internet for socializing purposes all that much, but she said it was good to be informed and aware of what can happen if you are not careful. She supported Elder Bednar's comments.
iii. I was surprised that Mindy did not use the internet for socializing very much more than anything else. Most people are almost addicted to myspace and facebook, but she does not have an account for either. Her boyfriend Jerry has a facebook, so she'll see what a few people are up to when he is on it, but that's it. I am glad she realized the importance of being safe when using the internet. I also liked that she seemed supportive of not wasting our time in virtual reality, but making the most of our time in actual reality.
iv. I think Mindy will share this information with friends and family who do use the internet for socializing and non-socializing purposes. She will be a great source of advice for peers. She will also add it to her knowledge, so if she ever does decide to start a blog or a myspace or facebook account, she will know just how to be safe when using it.