• Safety Tips:
• School Safety: Cyberbullying
• Community Safety: The Lessons That Can Never be Taught Often Enough
• Statistics: Children and the Internet
• One Opinion: Open to Discussion

School Safety:

It used to be that kids had to worry about seeing some unkind comments written about them on a desk at school or on a bathroom stall door. Today, thanks to the ultra-wired society in which we live, children now can be find hateful messages in their e-mail in-box, while instant messaging with a friend or on their cell phone.

The anonymity afforded by the Internet makes it very easy for a cyberbully to victimize others. While e-mail accounts created through local Internet service providers can be easily traced, the savvy cyberbully will opt to create numerous accounts with the larger web-based providers such as Yahoo! or Hotmail. The same is true of instant messaging; most providers allow users to set-up multiple screen names or identities which can be used to harass others.

And, if that werenít enough to contend with, the relatively recent phenomenon of cell phone text messaging provides yet another avenue for cyberbullies to unleash their hostility.

Obviously, the easiest way to avoid cyberbullies is to refrain from e-mail, instant messaging and putting aside the cell phone. However, knowing that isn't a reasonable option in today's society, we offer some strategies for helping shield your child from these types of attacks:

• Help your child select a screen name and e-mail address. A screen name and/or e-mail address shouldnít identify the child in any way (i.e. name, address, hometown). Make sure your child does not provide more information to the service provider than is necessary to set-up the account; this will help make it more difficult for others to locate your childís information.
• Encourage your child to share their contact information only with people they trust. If your child's school or any other organization requests an e-mail address as part of your contact information, give them your address instead. This way, if the information is published in any way (such as in a directory) any undesirable communication will be directed to you rather than your child.
• Instruct your child to never reply to a message received from a cyberbully. Make this a condition of Internet use. Further, instruct your child to tell you if a hateful or threatening message is received so that you can better monitor the situation.
• Make sure your child knows not to open messages from addresses that are unfamiliar. While there is a good chance that most of these messages are SPAM, there ís also every chance that there is a threatening message. A good rule of thumb is if you donít recognize the address, delete the message.
• Do not delete any threatening messages you receive. If the harassment continues, you may be forced to take action either with the Internet service provider or the police and you will need these messages as evidence. Create a separate folder and store them there.

While these tips certainly wonít prevent your child from being the victim of a cyberbully, they will hopefully reduce the chances of such harassment.

Community Safety:

The abduction and horrific murder of Carlie Brucia last month in Florida serves a harsh reminder that when it comes to educating our children about the existence of predators, there's no such thing as overdoing it.

With that thought in mind, we dedicate this space this month to discussing the importance of ensuring our children know how to react when placed in a situation in which they are confronted by a stranger.

We all know the common scenarios; for example, your child is playing in the yard when a stranger pulls up in a car and asks for the childís help in locating a missing pet. In this situation, the predator is counting on your child to make a move toward the car so he can quickly grab the child and make a quick escape. Your child should be taught at a very early age that under no circumstances should they advance toward an unfamiliar car. Instead, the child should say something like "I'm going to get my dad (or mom) to help you" and then run to the house.

Likewise, if your child is away from home, perhaps walking from a friend's house, or on their way to school, the childís first (and only) response should be to run. In fact, there are some experts who believe that a child's safety factor will increase 50% if they run in the direction opposite to that in which they were traveling. Of course, in an ideal situation, your child will not be walking alone; walking with a buddy will dramatically decrease their chances of being approached.

One of the most difficult parts of teaching a child about the dangers of predators is trying to do so without crossing the line between giving your child an awareness of potentially dangerous situations and instilling a fear of all unfamiliar adults. A good rule of thumb is to tell your child that they should not talk to an adult that they donít know unless they are with you or your spouse. You should also tell your child that an unfamiliar adult that approaches them and asks for help should be regarded with caution.

Finally, make sure your child, particularly if they are very young, does not wear clothing with their name plainly visible. While such articles of clothing are cute, they also make it much easier for a predator to entice a child toward them.

Statistics:

• By the end of 2002, 83% of all households owned at least one computer. By comparison, only 64% of households had one at the end of 2000.
• Internet access was available in 78% of the homes with computers at the end of 2002, compared to 46% at the end of 2000.
• 65% of kids in America ages 2-17 use the Internet either at home, in school or in another location such as a public library. This represents a 59% growth from 2000 when usage among this demographic was at 41%.
• The biggest growth in Internet use was seen among children ages 2-5; while only 6% of children in this age group used the Internet in 2000, 35% were logging on by the end of 2002.
• Children ages 6-8 spend an average of 1.9 hours online each day; at ages 9-12, this number increased to 2.7 hours and at ages 13-17 an average of 3.5 hours per day are spent online.

One Opinion - Open to Discussion

A Parents' Best Intentions

As I was driving my daughter to school this morning, I couldn't help but notice the car ahead of me. The car itself was non-descript, in fact, I don't think I could tell you the make or model. What caught my attention were the two words spelled out on the car's rear bumper in those stick-on letters that are typically used on mailboxes: new driver.

When the car pulled over in front of the high school, I was able to get a glimpse of the driver and sure enough, it was a young girl. So, certainly the title of new driver fit. I'm just not so sure it's a good idea to advertise it.

I think I understand her parents' intentions (I can only assume this was the parents' idea ; I can't imagine any 17 year-old would willingly advertise
their new driver status) but at the same time, I think they are a little misguided.

Never mind the embarrassment factor - although Iím sure the driver in question here will put that at the top of her list ; my biggest concern is with
other young drivers who may be tempted to goad her with aggressive driving and cause her to lose her concentration and quite possibly, cause an accident.

The other concern I have with this is that the words "new driver" immediately identify the driver as a young person making the vehicle an easy mark for
predators in a dark parking lot.

I'm not sure how I will react when my daughter finally gets behind the wheel (and Iím thankful that I have ten years before Iíll find out). I know I'll
want to do everything possible to ensure her safety, which Iím sure are the intentions of this girlís parents. I just donít think I'll be sticking any
letters to the bumper of her car.

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