2010-10-29 Can You See Me Now?

Can You See Me Now?

Frederick S. Lane

VT School Boards Association Fall Conference29 October 2010

The Growing Problem of SextingAmong School-Age Children

www.FrederickLane.com

Seminar Overview

• Introduction

• A Culture of Exhibitionism

• Kids: Born Button Pushers

• Old Behaviors, Global Distribution

• Warning Signs

• Emotional and Social Consequences

• Legal Consequences

• Prevention: Policies, Education, Advocacy


Introduction• Attorney, Educational

Consultant & Lecturer




• Author of 5 Books





• Computer Forensics Expert






• Chair, Burlington (VT) School Board


• Attorney, Educational Consultant & Lecturer



• Chair, Burlington (VT) School Board

• Student Safety & Privacy Advocate


Introduction

Phenomenal Changes

1989


1993

Phenomenal Changes

1983


2007

Too Much Sharing, Part 1

1993


1996

Too Much Sharing, Part 2

2007


2009

And Let’s Not Forget …

• Paris Hilton

• Tiger Woods

• Senator John Ensign

• Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick (Detroit)

• Demi Moore & Aston Kutcher (endlessly)

• Lindsay Lohan

• Rihanna

• Brett Favre


Old Behaviors …

• Taunting and Harrassing


Old Behaviors …


• Bullying


Old Behaviors …


• Bullying

• Playing Doctor


Old Behaviors …


• Bullying

• Playing Doctor

• “You Show Me Yours, I’ll Show You Mine”


Global Distribution

• Electronic Harrassment


Global Distribution

• Electronic Harrassment

• Cyberbullying


Global Distribution


• Bullying

• Web MD


Global Distribution


• Bullying

• Web MD

• “You Show Me Yours, I’ll Show Everyone”


Born Button Pushers


Generation Text

2001

20%


2009

83%

2,539

4,050<10

Generation SextSexting

• “The act of sending sexually explicit photos, images, or messages electronically, primarily by cell phone or the Internet”


How Big a Problem?

• Estimates Vary, from 4% to 30%

• Avg. Age of 1st Sext (Sent): 12

• Avg. Age of 1st Sext (Rec’d): 10

• Incidence Rises with Age

• No Gender Differences

• Significant Underreporting?


Why Do Kids Sext?


• Television & Movies

• The Internet

• Porn Chic

• Celebrity Sexting

• Hormones

• Peer Pressure

• Solicit Relationship

• As Part of a Relationship

• Boasting

• Revenge

• Sextortion

When Sharing Circles Go Bad

World Wide Web

Email / MMS / Social Networking

Camera phone


Endless Distribution Options

Facebook YouTube Flickr

MySpace MetaCafe MobileMe

MyYearbook Zude Hi5

Vimeo Bebo Friendster

Orkut PerfSpot Yahoo

Tagged Vox Xanga

Virb MocoSpace Stickam

Twitter Netlog (mostly Europe) Buzznet

TagWorld HoverSpot GaiaOnline

Prevention and Education

• Clear School District Policies

– Acceptable Use Policies

– Anti-Harassment and Anti-Cyberbullying

• Student & Parent Education

– Personal Privacy Curriculum

• Staff Training

• Law Enforcement & Legislative Outreach


Detection and Response

• Be Aware of What’s Going on in Schools

• Notify Parents

• Interview Faculty, Staff & Students

• Isolate & Lock Down Evidence

• Get Legal / Law Enforcement Help ASAP

• Follow Established Disciplinary Procedures

• Use as a Teachable Moment


Emotional & Social Consequences

• Short Term:

– Embarrassment

– Bullying, Harassment, & Ostracization

– Sexual Blackmail

• Long Term:

– Depression & Mental Illness

– Loss of Scholarships, Admissions, Jobs

– Self-Injury & Suicide


Jesse Logan• 18 year old high school

senior in Ohio• Sent nude photos of

herself to her boyfriend• When they broke up, he

forwarded them to hundreds of students

• Logan was harassed, taunted, and even physically assaulted because of the photographs

• In July 2008, Logan committed suicide


Student Legal Consequences

• School Sanctions:– Violation of various school policies

– Removal from extra-curriculars or school

• Civil Liability:– Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

– Invasion of privacy (depending on state)

• Criminal Prosecution:– Federal child pornography statutes (< 18)

– State child pornography statutes (varies)


District Legal Consequences

• Disruption of Educational Activities:

– Possible investigation / seizure of network

• Criminal Liability for Employees:

– Relationship-Based Crimes

– Possession / Distribution of Child Pornography

• Civil Lawsuits

– Failure to provide/maintain a safe environment

– State child pornography statutes (varies)


Changing Legal Landscape

• Vermont, 2009– Gives prosecutors discretion in handling sexting

cases involving 13-17 year olds

• North Carolina, 2009– Adopts law making cyberbullying a misdemeanor

• A Few Other States Considering Similar Measures

• Miller v. Mitchell (3rd Cir. Mar. 17, 2010)– Tunkhannock, PA sexting case

• Massachusetts, 2010– “An Act Relative to Bullying in Schools”– Response to the suicides of two Mass. students


Additional Resources

• CommonSenseMedia.org

• WiredSafety.org

• FBI “A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety” --http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm

• iKeepSafe.org

• iSafe.org


Services & Contact Info

• Services

– Professional Development

– Parent Information Nights

– Student Assemblies

• Contact Information

– FSLane3 @gmail.com

– 802-318-4604www.FrederickLane.com

Can You See Me Now?

Frederick S. Lane

VT School Boards Association Fall Conference29 October 2010

The Growing Problem of SextingAmong School-Age Children


2010-10-29 Can You See Me Now?

Education

global distributionelectronic

button pushersold behaviors

phenomenal changes