Are our Kids Safe Online?

That’s the question our speaker, Jennifer Greene, explored July 25. A self confessed technophile, Jennifer laid out the hazards for kids and their parents in life online. Young people tend to be trusting of people they meet online, and may not understand the hazards of posting personal information about themselves; –To illustrate this point, she used the example of a parent who confronted her daughter with personal information (including her bra size!) that the young lady had posted on her personal site. But there are other hazards lurking online. Googling innocent sounding terms (she used the examples "shrimping" and "doggy") can quickly lead to links inappropriate for young people. We also have to be alert for cyber-bullying, in which normal online interaction is met with swear words, "flaming," and other aggressive behavior. Over 50% of teens surveyed admitted to having been bullied online; almost as many admitted to having bullied someone else, and most did not tell their parents. She urged that young children’s internet and gaming use should be strictly monitored and limited. If you want to buy a game, rent it first to make sure it's appropriate, and don't be afraid to set limits. "One hour has got to mean one hour, not four when she tells you, ‘Aw, you’re mean.’" Young people should use the internet in a public room, but do not be fooled into thinking that contols them. "A lot of this bullying behavior goes on right in front of parents," who aren’t reading every word. She urged that young people should set up an account under an assumed name, and learn early on never to give out personal information. "And keep your own passwords secure." She used the example that her niece was asking for her password because she wanted to buy some outfits for a cyberbeing she had created. "Who knows what kind of charges I would have found?" She showed us her own Myspace and Bebo pages, which featured youngish pictures of her. "I love these sites, I keep track of friends two or three times a day, but every day I get hits from men trawling for underage women." Club notes: Chief Wendell Davis will be heading up the RIDDE program this year. Look for sign up sheets next week. . . If you are hosting speakers for a month and are looking for suggestions, let Dr. Anne Hurst know. Also, if your speaker needs a projector or sound equipment, let her know in advance. . . If you haven’t paid your dues yet, it’s down to the final hours! Mike Dennis adds: President Bill has mentioned at the last two meetings we are again joining Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) in helping to provide "Back 2 School Baggies" for indigent youth. Some of you have already given me items to donate and I want to thank you for this. For those who have not contributed but want to, the following items are included in every baggy given to indigent youth: one package of #2 pencils, one pack of wide ruled paper, 2 two-pocket folders, one pack of colored pencils, 2 glue sticks, one pack of tissue, one 12" ruler, one box of crayons, one pair of blunt end scissors and one marble or spiral bound composition book. These items are truly needed and provide a great help to the students and the teachers. As many of you know my wife is a teacher at Mellichamp. Annually she spends over $1000 of her money to buy supplies needed for her kids. These baggies are very much welcomed as it alleviates some of their needs.The deadline for contributing to this effort is August 3rd. If you'd like you can turn the supplies in to me and I will take to CEF. They are having a bus stationed at Wal-Mart this Saturday if you want to purchase and take to the bus. You can also give me or Frank McLeod money for this effort and we'll make sure it gets to CEF. Remember that our focus and Rotary's focus is on youth. Let me know if you have question/concerns.