26-09-2012 16:27 After receiving attention for gaining weight, Lady Gaga posted photos on social media with the caption 'bulimia and anorexia since I was 15.' The entertainer also announced an effort to encourage body acceptance. (Sept. 26)
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According to a teen Web survey commissioned by Cox Communications and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 61 percent of those surveyed had profiles on social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook. In addition, one-third of the teens said they were considering a face-to-face meeting with someone they met online.
When faced with the potential dangers of social networks, some parents think the only way to keep their kids safe is to ban them from the Web. The problem is that tech-savvy teens know how to get around most software blocks, and can get online at other locations. Although it's impossible to eliminate every online threat, here are a few practical tips that will minimize the risks.
Take Advantage Of Safety Features On Social Networking Sites Most social networking sites have built-in safety features and settings. In MySpace, for example, click on the "Safety Tips" link at the bottom of the home page to access its security information. Learn as much as you can about the security features each site offers, then share the information with your teens.
Teach Teens To Keep Certain Information Private Teach teens to avoid sharing personal information such as phone numbers, addresses, school, age and their real name. Also, they should avoid creating screen names and passwords that contain information such as birth dates or social security numbers. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Web users should "only post information that they are comfortable with others seeing and knowing."
Join A Social Networking Site Yourself One of the best ways to monitor a teen's online activity is to join the same social networking site and become their "friend." Keep in mind that they may have accounts set up that you don't know about, but most teens have at least one or more MySpace or Facebook profiles. Don't hang out on the site too much, but do drop in occasionally to see what they are up to.
Let Teens Know About Sexual Predators Social networking sites have become "candy stores" for sexual predators, and most teens are not aware of how dangerous they can be. Teens should avoid posting or texting (especially seductive or nude) photos of themselves, and should never flirt or engage in sexually explicit discussions with anyone. According to the FTC, teens who don't talk about sex with strangers online are less likely to come in contact with predators.
Teach Teens To Report Suspicious Activity If teens feel threatened by someone or afraid because of something said online, they should tell an adult they trust, report it to the social networking site, and the police if necessary. It's usually easy to tell when someone has crossed the line, the hard part is being brave enough to do something about it. Let teens know that by reporting suspicious activity, they might keep someone else from becoming a victim.
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Keep teens safe while they're online
ARLINGTON -- The Battenkill Valley Supervisory Union delayed approval of a social networking policy that prohibits online communication between students and staff.
A motion to approve the policy was rescinded Wednesday after the board learned principals and the district's attorney had yet to review the policy that has been in the works since last school year. The policy would be the first of its kind in the area putting restrictions on social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter and other sites that continue to increase in popularity both among children and adults.
In addition to many common sense points in the proposed policy -- such as obeying all laws, following confidentiality requirements, and refraining from defamation of character, to name a few -- it also looks to separate employees' personal and professional lives.
The policy cautions employees about the content they post on their personal Websites, although it does not prohibit positing items that may be deemed inappropriate by some. Instead, Superintendent Karen Gallese said, the policy is intended to be less restrictive of rights of employee on their personal time, but to distance that personal time from their professions.
Gallese said the four-page policy was drafted by BVSU's three-member Policy Committee and herself using other districts' policies as templates. Although, there are few examples of such a policy. Neighboring supervisory unions -- Southwest Vermont and Bennington-Rutland --
A social networking policy was the idea of previous Superintendent Thomas Gallagher and the process began prior to Gallese's hire this summer. Gallese said she agrees there is a need for one with the intent to prohibit social networking at the schools and restrict personal or damaging information from being made public.
Part of the policy states "staff should never use or access social networking sites of pupils and should never accept an invitation to 'friend' a pupil."
Becoming Facebook "friends" with students or communicating with students through another media, the proposed policy says, "can be misconstrued as being part of a grooming process."
"I think for teachers this day in age, they need to protect themselves from that type of relationship with students. Particularly when teachers are putting up pictures of their personal lives and making comments with other friends. I just think they need to keep that private," Gallese said. "'Friending' students is a very fine line and a gray area, but to be on the safe side they should not be doing that."
Gallese acknowledged staff could run into problems with the policy when it comes to a teacher communicating with their child's friends online, or a younger relative, which the policy does not specifically provide an exception for.
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Supervisory Union delays approval of stiff new social networking policy
Friday September 28, 2012
DAWSON RASPUZZI
Staff Writer
ARLINGTON -- The Battenkill Valley Supervisory Union delayed approval of a social networking policy that prohibits online communication between students and staff.
A motion to approve the policy was rescinded Wednesday after the board learned principals and the districts attorney had yet to review the policy that has been in the works since last school year. The policy would be the first of its kind in the area putting restrictions on social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter and other sites that continue to increase in popularity both among children and adults.
In addition to many common sense points in the proposed policy -- such as obeying all laws, following confidentiality requirements, and refraining from defamation of character, to name a few -- it also looks to separate employees personal and professional lives.
The policy cautions employees about the content they post on their personal Websites, although it does not prohibit positing items that may be deemed inappropriate by some. Instead, Superintendent Karen Gallese said, the policy is intended to be less restrictive of rights of employee on their personal time, but to distance that personal time from their professions.
Gallese said the four-page policy was drafted by BVSUs three-member Policy Committee and herself using other districts policies as templates. Although, there are few examples of such a policy. Neighboring supervisory unions -- Southwest Vermont and Bennington-Rutland -- have Internet-use policies, but nothing specifically addressing social networking nor communication between students and staff outside of school.
A social networking policy was the idea of previous Superintendent Thomas Gallagher and the process began prior to Galleses hire this summer. Gallese said she agrees there is a need for one with the intent to prohibit social networking at the schools and restrict personal or damaging information from being made public.
Part of the policy states "staff should never use or access social networking sites of pupils and should never accept an invitation to friend a pupil."
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BVSU delays approval of stiff new social networking policy
New York, New York (PRWEB) September 28, 2012
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