HENRY FORD II HIGH SCHOOL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015 Social Media & Students: Guidance to Ensure Your Student is a Responsible Digital Citizen Presenter: Kevin T. Sutton, Attorney Want to download this presentation? Do it now:

We like to think we have a pretty good grasp on this stuff …

But “Social Media” is so much more than we realize …

Social Media Permeates … Everything Always On  Accessible on mobile devices  Interactive television  Online gaming Universal  Social life exists online  Everyone wants to “connect”  All of their friends have an online presence Social Network  Students have mastered the “network” part  Recent Examples

Consequences? Deterioration of soft skills Computer Zombies? Lack of Social social life “If you can’t say something nice …” No break in the action Pressure to participate? Smart kids … stupid/impulsive actions

What You Need to Know Expectations for Student  Student Code of Conduct  UCS Policies  Student Handbook On-Campus v. Off-Campus Conduct  “I did it on my computer at home on the weekend”  U.S. Supreme Court precedent makes it clear that students can be punished for online speech which occurs off-campus Online Conduct May Have Criminal Implications  Sexting, Sharing of Sexual Images  Child Pornography  Parent Liability a Possibility

What to Do? Participation, Not Isolation  Forbidding Online Access Not a Viable Answer Develop Awareness  What is Your Student Facing? It’s not just Facebook check-ins, tweets about the football game, and pictures of the Homecoming Dance Sexting, Slut-Shaming, Insta-Shaming, Catfishing, Anonymous Confessions, etc.  How Do You Monitor Your Student’s Online Presence? Get online! Familiarize yourself with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Lurk … in a healthy way!

What to Do? Education > Reaction  Stay Calm  Scare Tactics Not Productive  Open Dialogue with Student About Online Activities  Students Need to Understand Consequences  Family Contract? Research / Use Tools at Your Disposal  CommonSenseMedia.org  CommonSenseMedia.org/Educators Digital Citizenship Tab Step by Step Social Media Curriculum

Social Media Repair Kit Clean It Up  Address  Delete the Bad Stuff  Expect Important People to Look  Google Yourself Build It Up  Establish on Online Presence  Post About Accomplishments, Etc.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying Defined “Willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computer, cell phones, and other electronic devices”  T.K. v. NYC Dept of Ed, 779 F.Supp.2d 289 (E.D.N.Y. 2011) “When the Internet, cell phones, or other devices are used to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person”  Specifically addressed by Michigan law; 2015 PA 478

How is Cyberbullying Different? Attacks can be anonymous Bullying can go viral Bully does not see emotional toll the bullying creates Absence of monitoring / lack of knowledge by parents, teachers 24/7 in nature 2010 Study – years old  20.8% cyberbullied in lifetime  7.5% cyberbullied in last 30 days  16% of high school students cyberbullied in past year

Responding to Cyberbullying 1. Take a Screen Shot of the Communications 2. Notify the Police/ Liaison Officer at the School 3. Report the Conduct to Social Media Outlet  If Student is a Minor, be sure to mention! 4. Support Your Child