Online safety & civility Facebook, Google Support Program To Help Kids Connect Safely The Family Online Safety Institute has announced A Platform for Good. The program is designed to help kids, teenagers, parents, and teachers connect and share safely on the internet. The program has been endorsed by some of the biggest names in the tech, social media, telecommunications, and search. Partner organizations include Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Yahoo! A Platform for Good has three main goals. The goal of the program, says FOSI CEO Stephen Balkam, is “to transform the [online safety] discussion and create resources to inform, inspire, and empower kids to make the right choices online.” The Family Online Safety Institute is an international nonprofit organization that focuses on making the internet a safer place for children and families.
Cyberbullying What is cyberbullying? Cyberbullying (or online bullying) is using modern communication technology to deliberately and repeatedly harrass, humiliate, embarrass, torment, threaten, pick on or intimidate someone. Effects of cyberbullyingCyberbullying can leave teenagers with low self-esteem, less interest in school and a deep sense of loneliness. Nearly one quarter (23%) of children who use mobile phones have reported receiving a threatening or abusive text, and 14% reported sending one. Helping your child avoid cyberbullies You can help make cyberbullying less likely to happen to your child by: A recent study suggested that 20% of teenagers have engaged in cyberbullying behaviour at some point. How to spot cyberbullying Cyberbullying can be tough to spot. As a parent, you might find it hard to keep up with the different technologies your child uses. Some warning signs that your child might be the victim of cyberbullying include: Worried your child might be the one doing the bullying?
Smokescreen | Six to Start A cutting-edge game about life online. Explore websites, search for clues, receive phone calls, chat on IM, and tackle puzzles and minigames. On Smokescreen, who can you trust? We all use Facebook, MySpace, Bebo and MSN to keep up with our friends – and we’ve all heard the stories about parties on MySpace being mobbed, or people getting stalked on Facebook. In 2009, Six to Start was commissioned by Channel 4 Education to help teens aged 14-16 understand the risks (and benefits) of being online – from defending yourself against phishing to avoiding online stalkers. At its heart, Smokescreen simulates the internet. With Smokescreen, we’ve created an cutting-edge solution to a 21st century problem of online privacy and security. The Numbers Almost 500,000 playsA massive 15 minutes spent on site per sessionHighly positive reactions from Channel 4′s teenage focus group, and expert critics and professionals Game Highlights