Internet Safety

Cyberstalking refers to harassment or unwanted communication via some form of technology including computers, global positioning systems (GPS), cell phones, cameras and more. The National Center for Victims of Crime defines cyberstalking as "threatening behavior or unwanted advances directed at another using the Internet and other forms of online and computer communications." Cyberstalkers may use email, chat rooms, message boards, discussion forums, GPS technology, listening devices, hidden cameras and more to target their victims.

"Cyberbullying" simply refers to the act of bullying online. The effects of cyberbullying can hurt and hurt quickly. There have been numerous stories in the news of children, teens, and young adults who have been driven to suicide or violent crime as a result of being bullied online. While these tend to be the more extreme internet safety cases, cyberbullying can have a serious detrimental effect on a victim's self-esteem, emotional well-being, and sense of personal safety.

Further, these offenses are often committed by people impersonating someone else, anonymously, or under the guise of a group, making accountability and preventability difficult.

Every adult knows that adolescence can be a challenging time for even the most well adjusted individuals. Raising a teen, providing guidance and teaching your teen how to develop coping tools for traditional social issues can be a daunting task all on its own. Today, parents, guardians and caretakers of teens have the added internet safety challenge of identifying issues that stem from online social behavior.

"Sexting" is a relatively new term used for the act of sending a sexually suggestive or explicit text message (AKA texting, SMS, MMS) to someone else. In most instances, the intended recipient is a current or prospective boyfriend or girlfriend. These messages may vary from simple text, to photos, or even short videos sent from a mobile phone to either another phone and/or email account.

A shared sexting message could have disastrous consequences. For starters, the impact of such content getting "leaked" could result in social isolation from friends, bullying, and unwelcome sexual solicitations. Further, in cases where such content might have been shared as the result of revenge, it could certainly lead to violence. Aside from reputation and social issues, sending, receiving, and/or sharing this type of content could lead to disciplinary action by schools, employers, and possibly even state and federal law enforcement. Most importantly, what might start out as a fleeting and thoughtless lapse of judgement could lead to serious emotional and self-esteem issues for any child or young adult.

Learn more about family internet safety from Safety Web here.

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