MTV spotlights sexting, explaining what it is and sharing true life stories of how it ruined some teen’s lives. It is true that many teens simply don’t understand that sexting is considered child pornography, and many parents don’t realize this practice even exists. However, there are serious repercussions.
A Thin Line highlights “Sexting in America” in parts I, II & III. This series is easy to watch for parents and teens. Richard Guerry with the Institute for Responsible Online and Cell phone Communication talks about how the proactive photos are often stolen and sold on a digital black market to drive underground websites. The moral is, if you don’t want the photo haunting you later in life, then don’t take the picture. MTV says 1 in 5 sexting messages sent are forwarded on to others.
NetSmartz is a unique resource provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The safety approach this program offers is one-of-a-kind. The goal of the NetSmartz program is to team up with law enforcement, educators and parents to educate the safest practices on the web.
NetSmartz411 is a page specifically designed for parents. You can send detailed questions to experts, and get all the answers needed about the newest lingo used by kids or technology. You can even call 1-888-NETS411 and ask an expert a question over the phone. Parents and teachers, this resource is FREE and it is something you can actively be involved with. If you take the time to learn the latest trends of the virtual like gaming, social networking, sexting, video sharing, photo sharing and blogging it may prevent a potentially negative situation in your child’s life.
If you have questions, or need more resources, please visit the RESOURCE section of this site or if you have a specific question you would like to ask, please visit the ASKMICHELLE section.
MTV spotlights sexting, explaining what it is and sharing true life stories of how it ruined some teen’s lives. It is true that many teens simply don’t understand that sexting is considered child pornography, and many parents don’t realize this practice even exists. However, there are serious repercussions.
A Thin Line highlights “Sexting in America” in parts I, II & III. This series is easy to watch for parents and teens. Richard Guerry with the Institute for Responsible Online and Cell phone Communication talks about how the proactive photos are often stolen and sold on a digital black market to drive underground websites. The moral is, if you don’t want the photo haunting you later in life, then don’t take the picture. MTV says 1 in 5 sexting messages sent are forwarded on to others.
1 in 7 kids are solicited for sex online. This alarming statistic was recently released from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The survey says 1 in 33 kids receive aggressive online solicitations to meet in person and 34% of kids say they’ve had communication with people they don’t know. NCMEC maintains a proactive approach to protect children and teens and now they have two brand new items for children between the ages of 8 and 12. The NSTeen sitenow has animated video and educational games for children in this age range. “Cyberbully Zombies Attack” and “Mike-tosis” both targetinformation about technology, safety and cyber bullying prevention. Although these sites are for “tweens,” parents and teachers are encouraged to log on and educate themselves on the dangers lurking online for kids. The content is available in English and in Spanish. NSTeen is an entity of the main hub of NetSmartz.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children says itsCyberTipline has handled more than 903,240 calls of child sexual exploitation. According to a press release on their site, the Child Victim Identification Program has reviewed and analyzed more than 34 million pornographic images.
NetSmartz is a unique resource provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The safety approach this program offers is one-of-a-kind. The goal of the NetSmartz program is to team up with law enforcement, educators, and parents to educate the safest practices on the web.
NetSmartz411 is a page specifically designed for parents. You can send detailed questions to experts, and get all the answers needed about the newest lingo used by kids or technology. You can even call 1-888-NETS411 and ask an expert a question over the phone. Parents and teachers, this resource is FREE and it is something you can actively be involved with. If you take the time to learn the latest trends of the virtual like gaming, social networking, sexting, video sharing, photo sharing and blogging it may prevent a potentially negative situation in your child’s life.
If you have questions, or need more resources, please visit the RESOURCE section of this site or if you have a specific question you would like to ask, please visit the ASKMICHELLE section.
NetSmartz is a unique resource provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The safety approach this program offers is one-of-a-kind. The goal of the NetSmartz program is to team up with law enforcement, educators, and parents to educate the safest practices on the web.
NetSmartz411 is a page specifically designed for parents. You can send detailed questions to experts, and get all the answers needed about the newest lingo used by kids or technology. You can even call 1-888-NETS411 and ask an expert a question over the phone. Parents and teachers, this resource is FREE and it is something you can actively be involved with. If you take the time to learn the latest trends of the virtual like gaming, social networking, sexting, video sharing, photo sharing and blogging it may prevent a potentially negative situation in your child’s life.
If you have questions, or need more resources, please visit the RESOURCE section of this site or if you have a specific question you would like to ask, please visit the ASKMICHELLE section.
Attorneys are expected to enter not guilty pleas today for three teens charged for bullying 15-year-old Phoebe Prince. The teen committed suicide earlier this year after she was allegedly targeted and bullied relentlessly for months. Nine teenagers, seven females and two males, are all facing a variety of charges including statutory rape, criminal harassment, violation of civil rights and disturbing a school assembly resulting in bodily injury. This past Tuesday, three other teens entered not guilty pleas for their roles in this alleged crime. Those suspects are scheduled to appear back in court on September 15, 2010.
Phoebe took her life on January 14, 2010 after she was allegedly bullied inside her South Hadley High School in Massachusetts and online. Many reports indicate that administrators and staff of the school knew about the bullying and abuse, but did nothing to help. Phoebe’s aunt even visited the school before her arrival from Ireland and told them about her bullying experiences overseas, and how they should be aware that her niece was susceptible to this type of abuse. Reports indicate the teachers and administrators may have even witnessed physical abuse, and had full knowledge about the situation, but turned their heads to the situation.
NetSmartz is a unique resource provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The safety approach this program offers is one-of-a-kind. The goal of the NetSmartz program is to team up with law enforcement, educators, and parents to educate the safest practices on the web.
NetSmartz411 is a page specifically designed for parents. You can send detailed questions to experts, and get all the answers needed about the newest lingo used by kids or technology. Parents and teachers, this resource is FREE and it is something you can actively be involved with. If you take the time to learn the latest trends of the virtual world it may prevent a potentially negative situation in your child’s life.
If you have questions, or need more resources, please visit the RESOURCE section of this site or if you have a specific question you would like to ask, please visit the ASKMICHELLE section.
The former chief U.N. weapons inspector, Scott Ritter, is facing serious charges after he was arrested in an online sex sting. I spoke with Police Chief Williams from the Barrett Township Police, and he told me Ritter allegedly masturbated on webcam to one of his detectives in an undercover catch. The catch… Ritter allegedly thought the detective was a 15-year-old undercover operation.
In light of this recent case, I encourage all parents to actively be involved in what their children are doing online. Although Ritter is presumed innocent until proven guilty, this goes to show that sexual predators aren’t necessarily who you think. Sometimes they are educated, professional men who are surfing on line to find victims.
I encourage all parents not to let their children log onto the Internet in the privacy in their bedroom. Put the computer in a common area like the dining room or the living room, and check the history on the computer to see the sites your child visits. Kids and teens should never give their phone numbers, or accepts numbers from people they don’t know, and if someone is sending inappropriate images on line, they need to understand this is a crime, and they need to tell someone right away so the police can be called.
Did you know there is a FREE Internet safety resource to protect your children online?
NetSmartz
NetSmartz is a unique resource provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Its safety approach is one-of-a-kind and teams up with law enforcement, educators, and parents to ensure the safest practices on the web. The goal is to recognize dangers on the Internet, and to educate. There is also a special NetSmartz411 specifically for parents. This is a place you can send detailed questions to experts, and get all the answers you need about the newest lingo or technology.
Parents and teachers, this resource is FREE, and it is something you can be actively involved with. If you take the time to learn the latest trends, you can be up-to-speed on what is entering your childs life. If you have questions, or need more resources, please visit the RESOURCE section of www.michellesigona.com or if you have a specific question you would like to ask, please visit the ASKMICHELLE section.
Michelle Sigona is a crime fighting, victims advocate extraordinaire, but for Michelle -- the good fight doesn't stop there. In her spare time, she is a volunteer firefighter -- and now, she is tackling the issues and cases that mean the most to her....
NetSmartz
1 in 7 kids are solicited for sex online. This alarming statistic was recently released from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The survey says 1 in 33 kids receive aggressive online solicitations to meet in person and 34% of kids say they’ve had communication with people they don’t know. NCMEC maintains a proactive approach to protect children and teens and now they have two brand new items for children between the ages of 8 and 12. The 
NetSmartz
