Cyber Safety Recap – Catherine Cook – February 3, 2016

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Today we looked closely at appropriate online behavior. We talked in detail about the following:

  • How fast and how far information can travel when you post something online
  • The consequences of poor online behavior which can include:
    • College admissions officers viewing it
    • Future coaches and bosses viewing it
    • Hurting someone’s feelings or offending people
    • Getting in trouble with school or the police
  • The motivation for someone posting inappropriate things online
    • Not thinking first before posting
    • Not understanding the effects of the post on others
    • Looking for attention and popularity
    • Creating drama
    • Gossiping
  • To reinforce the consequences of poor online behavior, a video was shown in which students talk about these topics.

We worked as a group to develop and agree on a list of rules to guide what the students say and do online. We will add to this list through the next 2 sessions. At the conclusion of the course, we will share this list with you.

Feedback for Parents

First of all, this is a great group of students! I work with schools all over the country and I can honestly say that these first two sessions have been two of my favorites. They are a respectful, smart and kind group of students. They are very engaged and enthusiastic about the topic and offer many thoughts, comments, and experiences.

The once piece of feedback I would like to share with you coming out of this session is that we need to continually reinforce the consequences of inappropriate online behavior. While the 6th graders all had great input and developed some solid rules to guide them, I’m not convinced that they truly understand how long lasting and damaging an inappropriate post can be. If you have a second, take a minute to read this blog article about 4 high school students arrested at Ridgewood High School. If you read the article, you will see a comment that the kids didn’t know they would get in trouble for sexting. I’m quite sure the kids in the article HAD heard this before, several times. We need to continually find ways to reach our kids about the consequences of their online actions.