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Cyberbullying and Digital/Internet Safety
The Internet offers a wealth of resources and material for education. Accessed through a variety of electronic devices, it also allows for rich and diverse opportunities for 21st century communications. These devices are becoming ever more diverse and ubiquitous. They raise issues of digital / Internet safety and digital citizenship. Along with ensuring that our young people have the technological skills to effectively use digital devices, platforms, and resources for educational purposes, we also have the responsibility to teach them how to be safe and productive digital citizens of the 21st century. This responsibility has been mandated through the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act.
Within this context, Washington's anti-bullying law includes the prohibition of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying using electronic devices to initiate repeated negative behavior toward a less-powerful person. Electronic name-calling, shunning and shaming are all forms of cyberbullying. So are spreading rumors, gossiping and making threats online. Schools are permitted to discipline students who engage in cyberbullying if it disrupts the orderly operation of school. Additional HIB training materials are available on the Safety Center web site.
Introductory Training Presentations - Cyberbullying
The introductory presentations below are provided to assist districts with the HIB training requirements of RCW 28A.300.285. These specifically provide information on cyberbullying:
- Cyberbullying - What Is It: This presentation provides a general background into cyberbullying.
- Cyberbullying - It's Not About Technology: More specific suggestions for dealing with cyberbullying in schools.
Cyberbullying Summit
Thursday, September 13, 2012, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Microsoft Campus - The Commons, Redmond
The Youth Internet Safety Task Force invites educators, administrators, community mobilizers, prevention and social messaging experts, law enforcement and anyone else interested in helping prevent cyberbullying-to this day-long summit devoted to development of a youth cyberbullying prevention campaign.
Agenda
Registration List
Summit Notes
Presenters
- Beauchere, Jacqueline
- Bennett, Michelle
- Carter, Heather
- Doces, Mia
- Donlin, Mike
- Leitch, Charles
- Manskopf, Inga
- Nigam, Hemanshu
- Perez, Shannon
- Simmons, Adie
Presentations
- Cyberbullying
- Prevention WINS
- Social Emotional Learning and Bullying Prevention
- The Office of the Education Ombudsman
- Where Are We Now?
Research/Resource Material:
- Students Rights and Responsibilities in the Digital Age
- Enhancing Child Safety & Online Technologies
- Online Safety 3.0: Our Latest Data
- A Parent's Guide to Facebook
- Social Media, Social Life
- Low Risk Associated with Most Teenage Sexting: A Study of 617 18-Year-Olds
- Sexting Fact Sheet
- Sexting: A Brief Guide for Educators and Parents
- Increasing Youth Safety and Responsible Behavior Online: Putting in Place Programs that Work
- Trends in Youth Internet Victimization: Findings From Three Youth Internet Safety Surveys 2000-2012
- The Drama! Teen Conflict, Gossip, and Bullying in Networked Publics
- Social Privacy in Networked Publics: Teens Attitudes, Practices and Strategies
- Youth Safety on a Living Internet: Report of the Online Safety and Technology Working Group
- Cyberbullying Fact Sheet: A Brief Review of Relevant Legal and Policy Issues
- Analysis of State Bullying Laws and Policies
- Sexting: A Typology
- Online "Predators" and their Victims: Myths, Realities and Implications for Prevention and Treatment
- BPS Cyber Safety Campaign
- Committee for Children, 5 lesson, free, downloadable Steps to Respect Cyberbullying Prevention Module.
Mop the Net Day: A school-based opportunity for students to delete, change, modify or otherwise update their online images. These materials include a template each for getting ready, spring cleaning, and follow-up.
NetSmartz: Classroom and background information and resources from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Stay Safe Online: Resources from the National Cyber Security Alliance.
Internet Safety Brochure
Cyber Safety: Tips for Safe Surfing, is a full-color, two-page brochure for parents and teens. Schools may print this as a brochure and distribute to their families.
Download the brochure
The brochure is available as a PDF download in nine languages:
English | Tagalog | Spanish | Cambodian | Korean
Russian | Somali | Ukranian | Vietnamese
State by State:
- http://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/index.html - Find out how all 50 states refers to bullying in their laws and what they require on part of schools and districts.
- Summary of State Cyberbullying Laws - A brief review of state cyberbullying laws and policies
Federal:
- Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
- Protect Our Children Act (2008)
- Broadband Data Improvement Act (2008): Title II - Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act
Washington:
- SHS 2801, 2010 - AN ACT relating to anti-harassment strategies in public schools
- RCW 28A.300.285 - Harassment, intimidation and bullying prevention policies and procedures
- SSHB 1163 - 2011-12 - Creating a work group on preventing bullying, intimidation and harassment and increasing student knowledge on mental health and youth suicide.
- Cyberstalking: RCW 9.61.260
- WSSDA Model Internet Safety Policy - OSPI Bulletin 010-12
The Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act adds statutory language to existing FCC rules for the implementation of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). CIPA compliance, in turn, impacts ERate compliance. In addition to existing CIPA requirements, the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act now also requires school boards to update their Internet Use/Internet Safety policies to include statutory language to say they are providing for the education of minors regarding appropriate online behavior including interacting with others on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and regarding cyberbullying awareness and response.
- For Training: An Introduction to the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act
- CIPA and ERate Compliance
- Sample FCC-based Internet Use Policy & Procedures
- Guidelines for Social Network Use by Teachers
- Incident Investigation Template
- WSSDA Model Policy - OSPI Bulletin 010-12
- Sexting: A Typology: A definition and examination of sexting from the University of New Hampshire Crimes Against Children Research Center.
- Sexting: A Brief Guide for Educators and Parents: A brief overview from the Cyberbullying Research Center.
- Sexting Guidance for School Leaders: Guidance from the Center for Safe and responsible Internet Use.
These documents have been developed by reliable sources. They are designed to help adults in schools and at home better understand what social networking is and how to use it safely. They will help people to more easily talk with youth about appropriate behaviors and safety issues and to be better prepared to be help when necessary.
- A Parents' Guide to Cyberbullying
- A Parents' Guide to Cybersecurity
- A Parents' Guide to Facebook
- A Parents' Guide to Instagram
- A Parents' guide to Snapchat
- Facebook for Educators
- Facebook for School Counselors
- Facebook/Social Networking Guidance for Teachers
- https://www.facebook.com/safety
- Berkman Center for Internet & Society, Harvard
- ChildrenOnline: Children Online provides links to various resources and informative articles for and from parents and educators.
- Common Sense Media: A resources dedicated to providing the trustworthy information and education in the world of media and technology.
- Connect Safely: Safety tips, advice, news and resources for parents, educators and youth.
- Cyberbullying Research Center: The Cyberbullying Research Center provides up-to-date information about the nature, extent, causes, and consequences of cyberbullying among adolescents.
- Family Online Safety Institute: FOSI works to make the online world safer for kids and their families.
- Get Net Wise: GetNetWise is a public service of the Internet industry and public interest organizations to help ensure that Internet users have safe, constructive, and educational or entertaining online experiences
- Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force: Internet resources to be better informed about the online dangers and challenges.
- National Crime Prevention Council: Cyberbullying information from the NCPC.
- Net Family News: Kid-Tech news for parents.
- NetSmartz: Classroom and background information and resources from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
- NTIA Online Safety & Technology Work Group: Youth Safety on a Living Internet: Report of the Online Safety and Technology Working Group.
- SafeKids: Larry Magid's site is one of the oldest and most enduring sites for Internet safety.
- US Department of Education: Analysis of State Bullying Laws and Policies; 2011
- Wired Safety: This site provides one-to-one help, extensive information, and education to cyberspace users of all ages.
The following are a few selected links and resources which provide background and context for adults and can help teach youth online safety. Many sites provide links to additional resources.
- HIB FAQ - 2011: This presentation covers background and reporting requirements of the legislation.
- Bullying Intro FAQ - 2011: This presentation provides a general background into bullying and harassment prevention and intervention.
- Cyberbullying Intro FAQ - 2011: This presentation provides a general background into cyberbullying.
- HIB Investigations Guidance FAQ: This presentation provides general guidance on requirements to do investigations around reports of potential HIB issues.
- HIB FAQ (LEA Adaptable) - 2011: This presentation is designed to be adapted by local school districts to include district-specific information. A brief instructions document, HIB FAQ ( LEA Adaptable) - Instructions, accompanies this presentation.
- Best Practices in the Prevention of Bullying was presented by Dr. Susan Limber of Clemson University, as part of a February 17, 2012, webinar made available through the American School Health Association.
- Bullying Prevention and Response Base Training Module
A Thin Line: A site created by MTV to empower youth to identify, respond to, and stop digital abuse among young people.A Thin Line has recently added a Grown Ups link for parents and educators.
NetSmartz: Classroom and background information and resources from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.