ConnectSafely.org co-director Larry Magid's talk at the Safer Internet Forum in Moscow, February 6, 2012

1. From Child Exploitation to Bubble
Wrapped Kids
Larry Magid
Co-Director
ConnectSafely.org
Creative Commons images from Flickr Safer Internet Day
Moscow, February 2012

2. We’ve come a long way in some
countries, but …
• There is such a thing as being “too
protective”
• Risk is inevitable, the question is how to
manage it
• We need to strike a balance between
protection and freedom
• Teach critical thinking so that people
learn to manage their own risks

3. As we think about how to protect children,
we need to consider the rights of the child
"The child shall have the right to
freedom of expression; this right shall
include freedom to seek, receive and
impart information and ideas of all
kinds, regardless of frontiers, either
orally, in writing or in print, in the
form of art, or through any other
media of the child's choice.”
Article 13 of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child

4. We need to understand risk,
not exaggerate it
• Of course there are risks online, but
they are not anything new or special
• Pay attention to the research
• Include children in the discussion
• Understand the limits of regulation and
the benefits of education

5. In the U.S., the rise of the Web has not
resulted in increased victimization of children
Blue line represents 58% decline in child sex abuse from 1992 to
2008.
Source: Updated Trends in Child Maltreatment, 2008: Finkelhor, Jones and Shattuck: Crimes Against Children
Research Center

6. Moving right along
The Internet Safety Technical Task Force found that:
“Bullying and harassment, most often by peers, are
the most salient threats that minors face, both
online and offline.”
Which lead to …

7. Cyberbullying Panic!

8. Cyberbullying is a problem, but most
children are neither victims nor monsters
• Not every interaction that makes kids
uncomfortable is bullying
• While some are very vulnerable, most
children are reasonably resilient
• Across Europe, 6% of 9-to-16-year-old
Internet users have been bullied
online. 3% confess to having bullied
others
• Far more have been bullied offline, with
19% saying they have been bullied, and
12% saying them have bullied someone
else*
* EU Kids Online

9. Sexting Panic
A 2008 survey found that 20% of teens had sent or posted
“nude or semi-nude images of themselves”
Which led to stories like this:

10. But a 2011 U.S. study found
• 1.3% sent an image where they
showed breasts, genitals or
someone’s bottom
• 2.5% sent an image where they
were nude or partially nude
Source: Crimes Against Children Research Center, Dec , 2011

11. Ultimately, the best filter runs
between the child’s ears, not on a
device or a network
Protection that lasts a lifetime
Training wheels for young kids

12. Talk with your children
• Parents should talk with their children. Ask the
kids about what they do online, what they
consider to be the risks and what strategies
they’re already using
• Don’t overreact if your child tells you about
problems online. You want them to feel
comfortable bringing issues to your attention

13. Basic advice for kids & teens
Be your own person. Don't let friends or strangers pressure you to
be someone you aren't.
Be nice online. People who are nasty and aggressive online are at
greater risk of being bullied or harassed themselves.
Think about what you post. Sharing provocative photos or intimate
details online, even in private emails, can cause you problems later
on.
Passwords are private. Don't share your password even with
friends
Don't talk about sex with strangers. Don't lead them on - you don’t
want to be the target of a predator's grooming
Avoid in-person meetings. The only way someone can physically
harm you is if you're both in the same location
Be smart when using a cellphone. All the same tips apply with
phones. Be careful who you give your number to and how you use
you’re phone’s camera, location services, apps, and other features
Adapted from ConnectSafely’s Social Web Tips for Teens

14. Thank you!
Larry Magid
larry@connectsafely.org
For more see, OS3.ConnectSafely.org
These slides are online at
ConnectSafely.org/nobubble