New Approach To Online Safety Education

Larry Magid Discusses How New Research May Challenge Previous Assumptions

(CBS)  The authors also found that, “as the number of different types of behaviors online increased, so too did the odds of online interpersonal victimization.” Young people who engaged in four types of risky behavior “were 11 times more likely than those reporting none of the online behaviors to also report online interpersonal victimization.”

It’s no surprise to me that kids who engage in sexual conversations with strangers they meet online are at a greater risk of becoming victims. While there is no activity that can ever justify victimizing another person, it is also true that there are certain activities that put us at greater risk, and talking about sex with a stranger is clearly one of them. I’m also not terribly surprised to find that engaging in rude or harassing behavior is also associated with becoming a victim. Showing a disregard for others is often associated with disregarding one’s own safety and well being.

In a funny kind of way, I’m relieved to learn that giving out personal information may not be as dangerous as we once thought. For better or worse, we’re at a stage where millions of young people are publishing at least some information about themselves on social networking services. When I perused public profiles of teens on MySpace and other services about a year ago, I noticed lots of kids had posted photos and most disclosed the name of their school and many had other personal information, sometimes even last names. But both MySpace and the kids who use it are getting smarter.

Last August MySpace introduced new privacy policies that make possible for anyone to maintain a private profile and, according to a 2006 study conducted by Dr. Justin at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Dr. Sameer Hinduja at Florida Atlantic University, kids are more privacy conscious than adults may realize. The researchers found that 91 percent of teen profiles they looked at didn’t include full names and 40 percent of teens had private profiles. This tracks with a 2006 survey from the Pew Internet & American Life Project that reports “66 percent of teens who have created a profile say that their profile is not visible to all internet users. They limit access to their profiles.”

But there is still plenty of personal information out there. Patchin and Hinduja found that 57 percent of profiles had at least one photo and 9 percent had the teen’s full name. 81 percent revealed city they live in while 28 percent named the school they attend. Bottom line: kids are posting some personal information but most are being selective about it.
Both these studies suggest that we need to take another look at risk factors before we preach to our kids or start passing laws that restrict use of these services. The Wisconsin and Pew studies suggest that most kids are getting the message but that a significant minority is still revealing too much information. The New Hampshire study concludes that revealing personal information is less risky than other types of behavior.

While pouring through research data can be murky, the take away for parents is relatively clear. Talk with your kids about their online behavior and focus on the big picture. Rather than make them paranoid of strangers, make them aware that how they interact with people can have an impact on how they are treated and whether they will likely be victimized. Keeping your personal information personal is still a very good idea, but knowing where to draw the boundaries in online conversations can go a long way towards keeping kids safe.

[rasherron]

I agree with this approach.

[michellem99-2009]

I think our Ntion's children need to be safe as well as all users. In my day we didn't have computers. I still would not give out on the phone any info out then and now. I am an older person. If I don't know the person on the phone and or on computer. I say I am not allowed to give that out. I do hope that you as a young person you be careful when you use your computer as it is a wonderful tool. As older person I learn so much and able to share my day .It has opened up my world. I know you children and young people know more about computer than I. I feel that we as adults have a duty to care about children's safe and well being and express the right ways to use the computer.Thet too have the duty to do the right thng. It is a 2 way street. Have a good day.