 Definition: Building online communities of those that share interests and activities.  Examples:  Myspace  Facebook  Twitter “Online communication is dependant upon not only the words on the screen but also the interpretation of those words.”

 61% of teens have personal information on social networking sites  71% of teens report receiving messages from strangers  45% have exchanged personal information with strangers  Information will never disappear – even after deleting

 34% of teens saw sexual content  Online sexual harassment of teens increased from 5%-9% from ’07-’08  30% have attempted to meet  65% said personal information is “safe”  48% said parents no “nothing”

 My Space & Facebook  Example Example  Example Example  Example Example  Example Example  Example Example  Example Example  Example Example  Example Example

 Definition: Use of cell phone to type text. Form of instant messaging  Can be used for bullying  Blind texting (in schools)  Often use acronyms 143 = I Love YouPIR = Parent in Room20 = Location PO = Pants OffCYO = See You Online9 = Parent is Watching 1174 = Nude ClubGNOC = Get Naked On Camera A/S/L/P = Age, Sex, Location, Picture

 87% of teens use text messaging on daily basis  78% prefer texting over talking on phone  71% of teens have sent “suggestive” text to girlfriend/boyfriend  74% of teens say they could not “live” without their cell phone

 Defined: When a person sends or receives a nude or semi-nude photo via their cell phone  Responsibilities of recipient  Defining guilt associated with sexting (recipient and sender)

 “Involves the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others.”  Growing trend due to anonymity  Elyria City Schools policy

 42% have been bullied online  53% of teens admit to cyber bullying  58% of teens don’t tell anyone  35% of teens have been physically threatened online  64% say they were “joking”

 Myspace  Facebook  Text Messaging  Instant Messaging

 Cyberbullying  Anonymity  Leaves a trail  Higher frequency due to access  No “typical” case  Typically occurs off school property  Bullying  Harder to prove  Often done on school grounds  More common among boys

 Senate Bill 126  Covers behaviors OFF school property that “disrupt” the educational environment of the school  Incorporates “electronic means” into the definition of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying  Harassment laws must include “cyberbullying” in written code  Requires training for school administrators on issues related to harassment via digital means.  Requires admission by administrators of known “ telecommunications harassment” done on school grounds/school transportation

 Increase in on-campus student conflicts due to cyber communications  Diligent monitoring of cell phones and publicly accessible sites  Increased concern regarding free speech and privacy issues  Improved cell phone policies and procedures

 Protect ALL students  Contact parents/guardian  Educate students about dangers of sexting, cyber bullying, online safety  Pro-active strategies (e.g. Eastern Heights Anti- Bullying pledge)

 Freedom of Speech  Protected behavior off school grounds  Parental responsibility vs. School administrator responsibility  Difficult to prove “harmful intent” of electronic messages

 14 years old Massachusetts's student  Cyberbullied via text messaging & Facebook  School administrators “knew of” the bullying but were not charged  6 teenagers were charged with violating civil rights and harassment  Hanged herself in her family home – 3 months after bullying started  Video Video

 ODE position  Liability/Accountability  Understanding 21 st Century Learners  Nothing goes away  Common Sense Approach