This is a paper written on digital security. Digital security is one of the nine themes of digital citizenship.
Christina Arcidiacono
FYS Pleased to Tweet You
November 2011
Digital Security
Over the past few years, there has been an increase in social media popularity. However, when using social sites, people tend to post too much personal information. By posting private information, it enables predators and stalkers to know more than they should about us. “According to statistics provided by the FBI, by the age of 14, 77% of teens have been contacted by a predator online” (Teen Success 1). Therefore, it is vital to keep personal information private in order to stay safe in today’s age. Digital security refers to the protection of one’s online identity. When using the Internet, one must monitor their usage and digital footprint in order to stay safe while online. By staying safe and secured while using the Internet, a person can be considered digitally responsible.
With the growing popularity of social media along with the advances in technology, teens are engaging in online usage at increasingly younger ages. The availability of inappropriate information and usage is literally at the touch of a finger. Teen online usage must be engaged by parents because teens lack efficient ability to responsibly protect themselves. The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter provides parents with necessary information and tools in order to supervise their children’s online usage.
“According to a recent Caron Treatment Centers qualitative study (conducted by Nielsen BuzzMetrics), parents who think their adolescents’ online conversations with their peers are innocent may want to reconsider” (Fritz 8). Many parents are either unaware or oblivious to how online conversations and information can impact their child’s behavior. Parents must face the reality of what is happening on the Internet and take action to engage their children in safe online usage. The particular study that was conducted at the Caron Treatment Centers also found that “one in ten messages analyzed involved teens seeking advice from their peers on how to take illicit drugs ‘safely’ and without getting caught” (Fritz 8). “Caron reported that many of the messages were posted on message boards using common social media websites such as Myspace.com” (Fritz 8). This may come as surprising to many parents, but the optimistic side to this information is that there are techniques that parents can use to help keep their children digitally secure. Not only can supervision of an adolescent’s online behavior ensure their online security, but also prevent drug use and other rebellious behaviors. In addition to supervising, parents can also share harsh stories and videos with their teens. By showing the teens such information, the teen will see the sad reality of what can happen to a person who loses their digital security and it can happen to anyone.
Fritz provides parents with a list of tips provided by the Caron Treatment Centers in order to help “manage their teen’s online behavior” (8). By keeping the computer where parents can see it along with the parents becoming more educated about the Internet are great first steps according to Fritz (8). By doing so, “it becomes easier for the parents to casually keep an eye on their children” and recognize the websites that they are using (Fritz 8). However, with all the different mobile devices available it becomes harder for parents to casually keep an eye on their child. Making rules regarding the mobile devices and the frequency of use can help in engaging the proper use of the Internet. Parents must enforce the fact that “web-surfing is a privilege, and not a right (Fritz 8). Fritz explains that defining rules, limits, and expectations will help implement this perception of online use (8). In order to aid in the supervision process of teen online usage, there are computer software programs that one can use. Along with other tips Fritz includes, he adds that there is “excellent software that can monitor every key stroke, filter different sites, and give regular reports of virtual behavior, (8). By using such programs, parents are able to see everything that their teen is doing on the computer, and if there is something alarming, they have the ability to confront their child.
As parents become more educated concerning the Internet and social media, they will feel more comfortable when approaching their teen with concerns of their online use. Communication is vital within the relationship between parents and teens and also for the teen’s digital security. According to Fritz, parents need to “explain to their teen that the virtual world lives on” (8). By maintaining good communication, the parent will be able to sit down and talk with their teen. It is important to explain that “it is becoming common for employers and colleges/universities to research online behavior of prospects” (Fritz 8). Consequently, it is important for parents to aid in making sure that their teen is staying digitally secured and responsible because many teens are unable to do so on their own. Teens will then better understand their digital footprint, and what it consists of. In establishing this communication and open relationship between parents and teens, Fritz claims that it will also make it easier for parents to “teach their teens how to deal with peer pressure” (8). By teaching the teens that “just like in real life, ‘virtual’ conversations can become uncomfortable and inappropriate” (Fritz 8). Parents are then able to teach their teens how they might go about handling that particular situation and thus staying safe and secure on the Internet. Fritz adds that by parents “having regular conversations with their teens about what they’re doing online allows the teen to see that their parents are always there when they want to talk” (8). Forming an efficient and open relationship with the teen will enable this ease of communication between teen and parent.
There are many beneficial aspects to parents getting involved and becoming aware regarding their teen’s online usage. When parents become more educated concerning the Internet, Fritz claims that it is easier for the parents to engage their children in responsible online use, and to see what the child is doing (8). Parent’s will be able to recognize the websites that their teens are using, such as Myspace and Facebook, and see if what they are doing is appropriate or not (Fritz 8). By becoming more educated and informed parents can help keep their teen safe and secure online. Becoming more sophisticated about “the different warning signs to be aware of can also help parents in recognizing inappropriate or dangerous behavior that their teens are engaging in online” (Fritz 8). Warning signs may include “closing a screen quickly when you walk by or becoming distressed if you move computer privileges” (Fritz 8). When parents become more aware of what is going on on the computer and in the live of their teen, they can take actions such as the steps provided for Fritz, to keeping their teen digitally secured and safe. Not only can the advice provided by Fritz help on the computer, but by opening pathways of conversations, parents can become more aware of what is going on with their teen’s life in general. This can help keep them away from dangerous and inappropriate behavior, which may start online (Fritz 8). By teens understanding that “the virtual world lives on” they may start to think twice before posting conversations online (Fritz 8). This is the premise of Fritz’s work, to inform parents how to teach their teens about digital responsibility and to start by working in conjunction with the teen monitor their own online behavior. One the teen is mature enough and acting responsibly and safe online, the supervision of the parent is no longer needed as often.
Fritz uses information and results received from reports conducted by the Caron Treatment Centers in order to provide parents with advice in keeping their teen secure online. By parents taking precautions such as “keeping the computer where they can see it” allow for parents to be more aware of their teen’s online usage (Fritz 8). If parents create comfortable relationships with their teen they will be able to communicate to them “web-surfing privileges, check-ins with their teen, and explain to them that the digital world lives on” (Fritz 8). In taking the advice that is provided through Fritz’s work, parents can help keep their teen safe and digitally secure while at the same time teaching them how to be digitally responsible in their own habits.
References
Fritz, G. " Teen drug use and the Internet: A parent’s guide." The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter. 23.8 (2007): p8-8,2p. Web. 17 Oct. 2011. <http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.sjc.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=8414eb5e-1db2-4511-817d-1e6b7275b576@sessionmgr12&vid=5&hid=24>.
"Internet Predators." Teen Success. TEENSUCCESS, 2003. Web. 10 Nov 2011. <http://www.teen-success.org/internet-preda
FYS Pleased to Tweet You
November 2011
Digital Security
Over the past few years, there has been an increase in social media popularity. However, when using social sites, people tend to post too much personal information. By posting private information, it enables predators and stalkers to know more than they should about us. “According to statistics provided by the FBI, by the age of 14, 77% of teens have been contacted by a predator online” (Teen Success 1). Therefore, it is vital to keep personal information private in order to stay safe in today’s age. Digital security refers to the protection of one’s online identity. When using the Internet, one must monitor their usage and digital footprint in order to stay safe while online. By staying safe and secured while using the Internet, a person can be considered digitally responsible.
With the growing popularity of social media along with the advances in technology, teens are engaging in online usage at increasingly younger ages. The availability of inappropriate information and usage is literally at the touch of a finger. Teen online usage must be engaged by parents because teens lack efficient ability to responsibly protect themselves. The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter provides parents with necessary information and tools in order to supervise their children’s online usage.
“According to a recent Caron Treatment Centers qualitative study (conducted by Nielsen BuzzMetrics), parents who think their adolescents’ online conversations with their peers are innocent may want to reconsider” (Fritz 8). Many parents are either unaware or oblivious to how online conversations and information can impact their child’s behavior. Parents must face the reality of what is happening on the Internet and take action to engage their children in safe online usage. The particular study that was conducted at the Caron Treatment Centers also found that “one in ten messages analyzed involved teens seeking advice from their peers on how to take illicit drugs ‘safely’ and without getting caught” (Fritz 8). “Caron reported that many of the messages were posted on message boards using common social media websites such as Myspace.com” (Fritz 8). This may come as surprising to many parents, but the optimistic side to this information is that there are techniques that parents can use to help keep their children digitally secure. Not only can supervision of an adolescent’s online behavior ensure their online security, but also prevent drug use and other rebellious behaviors. In addition to supervising, parents can also share harsh stories and videos with their teens. By showing the teens such information, the teen will see the sad reality of what can happen to a person who loses their digital security and it can happen to anyone.
Fritz provides parents with a list of tips provided by the Caron Treatment Centers in order to help “manage their teen’s online behavior” (8). By keeping the computer where parents can see it along with the parents becoming more educated about the Internet are great first steps according to Fritz (8). By doing so, “it becomes easier for the parents to casually keep an eye on their children” and recognize the websites that they are using (Fritz 8). However, with all the different mobile devices available it becomes harder for parents to casually keep an eye on their child. Making rules regarding the mobile devices and the frequency of use can help in engaging the proper use of the Internet. Parents must enforce the fact that “web-surfing is a privilege, and not a right (Fritz 8). Fritz explains that defining rules, limits, and expectations will help implement this perception of online use (8). In order to aid in the supervision process of teen online usage, there are computer software programs that one can use. Along with other tips Fritz includes, he adds that there is “excellent software that can monitor every key stroke, filter different sites, and give regular reports of virtual behavior, (8). By using such programs, parents are able to see everything that their teen is doing on the computer, and if there is something alarming, they have the ability to confront their child.
As parents become more educated concerning the Internet and social media, they will feel more comfortable when approaching their teen with concerns of their online use. Communication is vital within the relationship between parents and teens and also for the teen’s digital security. According to Fritz, parents need to “explain to their teen that the virtual world lives on” (8). By maintaining good communication, the parent will be able to sit down and talk with their teen. It is important to explain that “it is becoming common for employers and colleges/universities to research online behavior of prospects” (Fritz 8). Consequently, it is important for parents to aid in making sure that their teen is staying digitally secured and responsible because many teens are unable to do so on their own. Teens will then better understand their digital footprint, and what it consists of. In establishing this communication and open relationship between parents and teens, Fritz claims that it will also make it easier for parents to “teach their teens how to deal with peer pressure” (8). By teaching the teens that “just like in real life, ‘virtual’ conversations can become uncomfortable and inappropriate” (Fritz 8). Parents are then able to teach their teens how they might go about handling that particular situation and thus staying safe and secure on the Internet. Fritz adds that by parents “having regular conversations with their teens about what they’re doing online allows the teen to see that their parents are always there when they want to talk” (8). Forming an efficient and open relationship with the teen will enable this ease of communication between teen and parent.
There are many beneficial aspects to parents getting involved and becoming aware regarding their teen’s online usage. When parents become more educated concerning the Internet, Fritz claims that it is easier for the parents to engage their children in responsible online use, and to see what the child is doing (8). Parent’s will be able to recognize the websites that their teens are using, such as Myspace and Facebook, and see if what they are doing is appropriate or not (Fritz 8). By becoming more educated and informed parents can help keep their teen safe and secure online. Becoming more sophisticated about “the different warning signs to be aware of can also help parents in recognizing inappropriate or dangerous behavior that their teens are engaging in online” (Fritz 8). Warning signs may include “closing a screen quickly when you walk by or becoming distressed if you move computer privileges” (Fritz 8). When parents become more aware of what is going on on the computer and in the live of their teen, they can take actions such as the steps provided for Fritz, to keeping their teen digitally secured and safe. Not only can the advice provided by Fritz help on the computer, but by opening pathways of conversations, parents can become more aware of what is going on with their teen’s life in general. This can help keep them away from dangerous and inappropriate behavior, which may start online (Fritz 8). By teens understanding that “the virtual world lives on” they may start to think twice before posting conversations online (Fritz 8). This is the premise of Fritz’s work, to inform parents how to teach their teens about digital responsibility and to start by working in conjunction with the teen monitor their own online behavior. One the teen is mature enough and acting responsibly and safe online, the supervision of the parent is no longer needed as often.
Fritz uses information and results received from reports conducted by the Caron Treatment Centers in order to provide parents with advice in keeping their teen secure online. By parents taking precautions such as “keeping the computer where they can see it” allow for parents to be more aware of their teen’s online usage (Fritz 8). If parents create comfortable relationships with their teen they will be able to communicate to them “web-surfing privileges, check-ins with their teen, and explain to them that the digital world lives on” (Fritz 8). In taking the advice that is provided through Fritz’s work, parents can help keep their teen safe and digitally secure while at the same time teaching them how to be digitally responsible in their own habits.
References
Fritz, G. " Teen drug use and the Internet: A parent’s guide." The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter. 23.8 (2007): p8-8,2p. Web. 17 Oct. 2011. <http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.sjc.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=8414eb5e-1db2-4511-817d-1e6b7275b576@sessionmgr12&vid=5&hid=24>.
"Internet Predators." Teen Success. TEENSUCCESS, 2003. Web. 10 Nov 2011. <http://www.teen-success.org/internet-preda