Saturday, April 2, 2016

Week 3 - How do you explain Internet Safety to your 12 year old child? Can you?

Last week I had the opportunity to discuss Internet safety with my daughter… and 97 of her closest friends, I’ll explain… Last term I had an assignment in my White Collar Crime class that discussed Child Internet Safety concerns, you know, the DO’s and DON’TS of using the Internet.  The assignment was to create a Power Point presentation about this topic that a child could understand and not fall asleep through.  I finished and submitted the assignment and received a very good grade… I was pleased, so much so that I thought I would actually present it to my daughters 7th grade class, that is of course, if they would have me.  To my joy (dismay?) The school agreed, then asked if the 6th and 8th grades and their parents could join too. I smiled, took a big gulp and said, “Absolutely”… My daughter said “I’m going to die, dad!”


I practiced my Preso for a few weeks in front of a mirror, in my car (pretending to talk to someone on a Bluetooth) and finally the day came.  It went great … for me.. My daughter? She is still recovering.  Teachers and parents alike praised the information I discussed and the kids didn’t seem too glossy eyed.  Ahhh, sweet success.  

My topics were:
  1. Importance of creating and using strong passwords.  
  2. How to create a strong password.
  3. Wait! Don’t click that link or attachment!
  4. Keeping your reputation intact.  The importance of being a good online citizen.
  5. “The Internet is forever”, what to post and what not to post.
  6. THINK before you post…
  7. Cyber-bullying. How to protect yourself and what you should do if you are a victim.
  8. Pitfalls of an active Social Media life.  (Refer to points 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10).
  9. Friending. NEVER friend anyone you do not know! Period.
  10. Online predators.  The Boogeyman exists.


Talking to kids about this stuff can be painful sometimes, if not a chore.  I hope that my daughter understands how important this info is, she said she does, time will tell….  I hope her schoolmates get it too. 

Now to work on the boy. he'll be the real challenge, I can fell it.

A synopsis of my presentation material.  Some, not all:

Creating a sound password, two different techniques:
       Create a phrase like "I hope the Giants will win the World Series in 2016" Then, take the initials of each word and add numbers and symbols to create your password.
       The password might result in this: IhtGwwtWS!16.
BTW.. It is an even year… GO Gigantes!!

Combining two words:
       Fish + Shoe = F1$hsH0e - Unique and not a word from the dictionary. 

Useful website

Your reputation is everything!
       Never post anything online that will embarrass yourself or others.  This includes..
       Risky pictures…
       Rude or disparaging words about someone or something.
       Negative content, like off color jokes… Rumors about classmates.
       Never post anything you would never tell someone in person!!
       Rule of thumb: Would your Grandmother approve?

Useful website: 

Cyberbullying.
       Cyberbullying occurs when a child or teen harasses, torments, or humiliates another using an online method.
       Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology such as computers, tablets and cell phones.
       Can harm the reputation of another.
       Is intended to hurt another person.
       It’s used to control someone..

Useful website: 

Online predators… THE BOOGEYMAN EXISTS!!
        Virtual Strangers.  Friending people you DON’T know.
       Assume these people want to do you harm.
       They try to friend you in social media sites like, chat rooms or online gaming sites.
       They will tell you anything you want to hear.
       They are bad people trying to do bad things.
       They pretend to be someone they are not.
       They target teens and young adults.

Useful website: 
FBI - Child Predators




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