Internet and Media Safety
Related Topics
The Internet is like being in public. There are people and sites you should avoid. People online may not be who they say they are. Chat rooms are sometimes used by people who want to exploit others.
Teenagers, especially girls, are at high risk for sexual assault and other serious dangers if they agree to meet in person people they meet on the Internet. Many pre-teens teens share intimate information online and then have no control over how this information is used by their Internet “friends.” With instant messaging and e-mail, rumors and statements harmful to a teen’s reputation can be spread at the click of a mouse. Once disseminated, the damage can’t be undone. Pre-teens (many of whom are big users of instant messaging) can be especially vulnerable. Knowing what your child is doing online is important. Helping him or her understand how to avoid trouble is critical. A number of federal and Massachusetts laws prohibit misuse of computers at home and in public places, such as libraries and schools. Children may not be aware that they may be breaking the law by spreading rumors over the web or misrepresenting themselves on the Internet. A prank, regardless of intent, can result in criminal prosecution. [More]
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Resource Organizations » Internet and Media Safety
9 listing(s), including 1 offering support groups
In Massachusetts
Center for Media and Child Health (CMCH)
www.cmch.tv300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 617-355-2000
Fax: 617-730-0004
The Center on Media and Child Health at Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard School of Public Health is dedicated to understanding and responding to the effects of media on the physical, mental, and social health of children through research, production, and education.
Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (MARC)
www.bridgew.edu/MARCBridgewater State College, Hart Hall
Bridgewater, MA 02325
508-531-6755
The Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center is housed at Bridgewater State College in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. MARC was founded and is directed by Dr. Elizabeth Englander, a professor of Psychology at the College, and an expert in the field of bullying prevention. Its goal is to bring low- or no-cost services to K-12 education, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in the area of bullying prevention, cyberbullying education and prevention, and violence prevention. The MARC website includes guides for parents and professionals.
Needham Youth Services
(Needham residents only)www.needhamma.gov/youth
1471 Highland Ave.
Needham, MA 02492
781-455-7518
This is a town-funded department which provides professional and confidential mental health services to youth and their families in Needham. It offers support, information, and direction on issues such as peer relationships, stress, grief and loss, substance use, suicide, and other concerns. Most services are free of charge. The department collaborates regularly with civic and community organizations on a variety of projects.
Outside Massachusetts
Connect Safely
connectsafely.orgConnect Safely serves as a public platform to give parents, teens and all stakeholders a voice in the public discussion about social Web safety and youth. It empowers parents with information about the realities of Internet, mobile and gaming safety versus myths and scare tactics. It also educates parents and kids on real-life approaches and practices for safe, healthy social lives online. Connect Safely provides a central space for learning about the social Web with features that include the latest news that impacts Internet, videogame and mobile users; safety tips & advice on responsible Internet use, cyberbullying, social networking, blogging, gaming and media-sharing; a forum where parents and kids can interact with others to discuss Internet and mobile safety questions and concerns; and guest commentaries from the world’s most-recognized safety advocates. Connect Safely's partner websites are www.safekids.com and www.safeteens.com.
Cyberbully 411
cyberbully411.orgCyberbully411, created by Internet Solutions for Kids, is an effort to provide resources for youth who have questions about or have been targeted by online harassment. The site offers information to youth on cyberbullying and its consequences, as well as guidance on what to do and how to talk to parents in a cyberbullying situation. There is also an online discussion forum.
Internet Keep Safe Coalition
iKeepsafe.orgThe Internet Keep Safe Coalition is a broad partnership of governors, attorneys general, public health and educational professionals, law enforcement, and industry leaders working together for the health and safety of youth online. The coalition uses these unique partnerships to disseminate safety resources to families worldwide.The mission of the coalition is to give parents, educators, and policymakers the information and tools which empower them to teach children the safe and healthy use of technology and the Internet. The website features a Parent Resource Center as well as educational materials for children and teens, including videos, PowerPoint presentations, activity sheets, coloring pages, quizzes, and educational games available for free download.
Net Family News
NetFamilyNews.orgAs a public service for parents, educators, and everyone interested in young people's use of technology, NetFamilyNews is the "community newspaper" of a vital interest community. The site includes a daily blog and newsfeed, and covers a variety of topics including online safety and privacy news and tools; new technologies and Web resources for kids; research about kids' use of digital media and the Net; and legislation affecting children's online experience.
On-line Gamers Anonymous
www.olganon.orgOffers support group(s)
104 Miller Lane
Harrisburg, PA 17110
612-245-1115
On-Line Gamers Anonymous is a self-help fellowship. We share our experience, strengths and hope to assist in recovery from the problems caused by excessive game playing, whether it be computer, video, console, or on-line. Our community includes recovering gamers, family members, loved ones, friends, and concerned others. We know how powerful, cunning, baffling and destructive excessive game playing can be. It can be devastating to the real-world lives of gamers and to those close to them. OLGA/OLG-Anon provides a resource for open discussion, support, education and referrals. We advocate and provide a 12-Step Program of recovery. The OLGA/OLG-Anon website includes a directory of 12-Step meetings (both on-line and face-to-face), a list of relevant reading materials, links to recent media articles, and referrals to professionals in your area who specialize in the treatment of gaming addiction.
Wired Safety
WiredSafety.orgWired Safety is dedicated to helping protect children in cyberspace. It does this by a combination of educational programs, online information and resources, and one-to-one help. Help is provided through live chat, instant-messaging, peer counseling of victims of cybercrime and abuse, and e-mail reportlines. There is also a partner website, www.stopcyberbullying.org, which offers specific information about cyberbullying for children, parents, educators, and law enforcement.
Additional Sources of Information
Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids about Being Online (pdf), offers adults “practical tips to help kids navigate the online world.” Published by OnGuard Online, a joint effort of the federal government and the technology industry to help citizens stay safe online.
Parenting in the Internet Age from the PBS show Frontline. Experts on youth and new media explain what parents need to understand about the Internet, and what they need to teach their children.
National Institute on Media and the Family
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children runs the CyberTipline ( or 1-800-843-5678) for reporting any incidents of child sexual exploitation on the internet, including child pornography and the online enticement of a child. The NCMEC also operates Netsmartz, which provides information and resources on internet safety to children, teens, parents, educators, and law enforcement.
One Tough Job, from the Massachusett's Children's Trust Fund, offers the following articles (slide the age slider to 12-15 and choose from the sidebar links):
- Internet Safety—What Parents Should Know
- Internet Safety—What Parents Can Do
- Helpful Internet Safety Websites
Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office
617-591-7750
Publications
List of books, articles and other publications on Internet and Media Safety.