May Events for Teens

Social Networking & Online Safety part 2

The Today Show ran another story today about the dangers of MySpace and YouTube and the thrill teens seem to be getting from posting stunt videos.

Below is a list of websites that are great resources with common sense tips to keep yourself safe and preserve your rights to access the Internet. Always remember to check the policies of the sites like MySpace and YouTube. They include safety tips and places to report inappropriate behavior/postings.

Click here for a guide to social networking from YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Assocation).

Wired Safety has great information about keeping yourself and others safe on the Internet.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children runs a site called Netsmartz, which is intended to educated kids, teens, parents, and teachers about various pieces of Internet safety.

Finally, here is a list of books we have available at NCPL regarding online safety.

006.702 Buckley
The Rough Guide to MySpace & Online Communities by Peter Buckley. 2006

006.702 Courtney
Logged On and Tuned Out: a nontechie’s guide to parenting a tech-savvy generation by Vicki Courtney. 2007

006.702 Goodstein
Totally Wired: what teens and tweens are REALLY doing online by Anastasia Goodstein. 2007

006.702 Kelsey
Generation MySpace: helping your teen survive online adolescence by Candice M. Kelsey. 2007

006.702 Magid
MySpace Unraveled: a parent’s guide to teen social networking by Larry Magid and Anne Collier. 2007

006.702 Melton
What in the World are Your Kids Doing Online? by Barbara Melton & Susan Shankle. 2007

006.702 Neal
MySpace for Moms & Dads: a guide to understanding the risks and the rewards by Connie Neal. 2007

006.702 Willard
Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens: helping young people learn to use the internet safely and responsibility by Nancy E. Willard. 2007

Today in the News: MySpace, bullying, & revenge

Headline: Teens videotape beating as revenge for online posts

According to a report on this morning's Today Show, 8 teenagers in Florida have been arrested for beating another 16-year-old girl. They videotaped the 30 minutes beating and were going to post it online as retribution because she had bullied them on MySpace. Click here for the story and video.

What can you do to keep yourself safe online and in the "Real World"?

• Report bullying and inappropriate behavior (online or otherwise) to the proper authorities (ex. parents, school officials, MySpace, police).
• If you fail to report an incident like the one that took place in Florida, you could be charged as an accessory.
• Remember, MySpace and the Internet are public places. Anything you post online is there forever. So be careful.
• Think before you post!