Teens use online communication like texting, instant messaging, and social media for socializing, coordinating meetups with friends, and keeping in touch with their social circles. Many create online profiles that include personal details. Discussion boards and chat rooms allow for asynchronous and synchronous communication. Many teens engage in deception online by pretending to be other people or lying about their age. Instant messaging is very popular for teens to communicate in real time. Blogging and social media sites like Myspace allow teens to publish online diaries and connect with others. Cyberbullying statistics show it is a significant issue, with over half of kids experiencing hurtful messages online and not telling their parents. Tips are provided for students on how to protect themselves

1. Do U Txt Msg? IM? Chat? Your Kids Do! Just What Are Kids Doing Online?

2. Why Online? Teens use online communication for: Socializing Event planning Coordinating online and offline meeting times Gossiping Keeping in touch with friends and family Creating and fostering online friendships and relationships

3. What is a profile? Profiles- online description of the user. They are searchable and can be viewed by anyone. Often include information such as: Name Age Location Hobbies Favorite music, sports, etc.

4. Discussion Boards Also known as message boards and forums A user starts a thread or topic and others can post comments about the topic Comments are listed by date, with the most recent in a thread at the bottom Asynchronous

5. Chat rooms A website, part of a website, or part of an online service that provides a venue for communities of users with a common interest to communicate in real time. (synchronous)

6. The Stats (From PEW Internet & American Life Project) 58% of online teens have more than one email address or screen name. 24% of teens who have used IMs and email or been to chat rooms have pretended to be a different person when they were communicating online. 33% of these teens report having someone give them fake information via email or IM. 15% of online teens have lied about their age to access a web site.

7. Instant Messaging- IM The ability to exchange text messages with other Internet users in real time. Popular IM Software: AOL MSN Yahoo

8. The Stats (From PEW Internet & American Life Project) 74% online teens use instant messaging. 69% of teen instant messagers use IM at least several times a week. 37% have used IM to write something that they would not have said in person. 17% of instant messagers have used IMs to ask someone out. 13% to break up.

9. Blogging To author an online diary or chronology of thought The Blog is an online publishing tool that enables people to easily publish their loves, passions, dislikes, peeves, discoveries, and insights. Blogs can be personal, political, topical…

10. Student Blogs Myspace - http://www.myspace.com a social networking site that supports blogging, instant messaging, email, picture/video posting, and more with currently 94+ million users.

11. Blogging Sites Generic Blog site: www.blogger.com Educational Blog site: http://classblogmeister.com/ Educator Blog – David Wartick “Exactly 2 ¢ Worth” http://davidwartick.com/blog/ Kathy Schrock’s Kaffeeklatsh – http://kathyschrock.net/blog/

12. Cyber Bullying Statistics 12 percent of kids have been bullied while online. One in four has had it happen more than once. 35 percent of kids have been threatened online. Nearly one in five has had it happen more than once. 21 percent of kids have received mean or threatening e-mails or other messages.

13. Cyber Bullying (Continued) 58 percent of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. 53 percent of kids admit having said something mean or hurtful to another person online. More than one in three has done it more than once. 58 percent of kids have not told their parents or an adult about something mean or hurtful that happened to them online.

14. Our Students Need to Know (Tips) Tell a trusted adult about the bullying and keep telling until you find an adult who takes action. Don’t open or read messages from cyber bullies. Tell a teacher or administrator at your school if it is school related. Such as a threat made towards the school or teacher. Don’t erase the messages—they may be needed to take action.

15. Tips for Students (Continued) Protect yourself. NEVER agree to meet face to face with anyone you meet online. If contacted through chat or instant messaging, the bully can often be blocked. If you are threatened with harm, inform the local police.

16. Kentucky POS In the spring of 2006, KDE released an updated version of the Program of Studies. The POS now includes a technology component that is required by law for all grade levels. Within the Technology POS, there is a safety component.