The Cybertraps Podcast

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Tod Johnston, a Senior Education Content Manager at Sphero, discusses how his company uses robots to teach cybersecurity concepts to middle school students. Their robotic balls help students visualize abstract cybersecurity topics like man-in-the-middle attacks. Tod explains how they developed lessons in collaboration with cybersecurity experts to give students an initial understanding of cyber threats and how to act responsibly online. Tod hopes to expand these lessons to younger students in the future. The discussion also touches on the challenges of educating both students and adults about cybersecurity given that technology is evolving rapidly and privacy policies are often difficult to understand.

Sphero - Blueprint- basics of engineering
Educators need to think about cybersecurity from a student’s perspective, rather than a technology perspective.
We should be inviting students to learn about their privacy policies to help them make better choices.
Sphero programmable balls are good for teaching programmable, algorithmic skills, but it’s always difficult to teach cybersecurity.
An example of a man in the middle attack
Can’t damage other people’s property
Student in Miami-Dade who hacked the school district.
Dr. Pauline Mosley collaborated on Sphero’s curriculum
The hope for the future of designing software and hardware and what they should look like.

- How GDPR has ruined the web

About Tod Johnston

Tod Johnston is a Senior Education Content Manager at Sphero, leveraging over 10 years of experience in classroom settings. With a focus on classroom technology, math education, STEM, and the environment, Tod applies practical teaching expertise to positively impact technology integration in schools. He also has experience as a Learning Experience Designer – designing curriculum, presenting at conferences, and researching educational technology and math education trends. He is dedicated to transforming education through innovative approaches.

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In Cybertraps 157, the APLUS Framework for adopting AI in schools is discussed. The framework emphasizes Accessibility, Privacy and Ethics, Learner-centered approach, Usability, and Sustainability. The irony of principals wanting AI to assist them while trying to prevent students from doing the same is highlighted. Examples of AI policies, including a plagiarism policy, are mentioned. The importance of viewing AI as an ecosystem rather than just a tool is emphasized. A blog post is referenced, stating that 73% of something is discussed.

APLUS Framework for adopting AI
- A - Accessibility
- P - Privacy and Ethics
- L - Learner-centered
- U - Usability
- S - Sustainability
The irony of principals asking for AI to do their jobs while simultaneously trying to find ways to prevent students from doing the same.
Example 1: (I only have it in Email form) Plagiarism Policy
Example 2: much better
- Peninsula school district: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zM7qJbgPc01JG5d63XSLuJnRILaKdj2vvSGFqjWrrkw/edit
AI is an ecosystem, not a tool.
73% of what blog post: https://world.hey.com/jason/73-of-what–80e24c13

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In Cybertraps 156, the podcast discusses the potential dangers of AI-fitted teddy bears. These toys have the ability to read children personalized bedtime stories using private information they have overheard. The episode highlights a news item that warns about the privacy concerns associated with these “scary” gadgets.

Harry Harrison – “I Always Do What Teddy Says” – https://www.deviantart.com/aegiandyad/art/I-Always-Do-What-Teddy-Says–259013944
Jethro’s Copy from the book: https://www.dropbox.com/s/brrf8hkt3zbm2l8/I%20always%20do%20what%20Teddy%20Says.pdf?dl=0
Amazon link: https://amzn.to/44JeusZ
News Item: “Beware of the AI-fitted teddy bears: ‘Scary’ gadgets could read children personalised bedtime stories using private details they have overheard, leading toymaker claims” – https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article–12233551/ChatGPT-style-teddy-bears-read-bedtime-stories-toymaker-claims.html (scroll down for story)

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In this episode, Jethro and Fred discuss chatbots and artificial intelligence. The episode covers the history of chatbots, including the Turing Test and the development of Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Bing, and Jasper. The potential uses and issues with chatbots are explored, including incomplete or misinformation, theft of intellectual property, inappropriate uses, and threats to various types of jobs. The episode also touches on the impact of chatbots on education and the potential for weaponization of disinformation, cybersecurity, and more emotion-targeted advertising.

Beginning of Cybertraps Podcast Episode Index
Writebettr.com - test out AI with your poorly written emails
AILeader.info - learn about AI and how to use it to save time with 3 minute masterclasses.
Today’s Topic: Bot’s Up, Doc?
Keynote delivered at last minute for Alaska Society for Technology in Education
Artificial Life and Artificial Intelligence
- Why chatbots are NOT “artificial intelligence” – yet
“The Father of Chat”
- The Turing Test
- Alan Turing OBE FRS [1912–1954] – British mathematician and computer scientist
- Leader in development of computer and algorithmic theory
- At Bletchley Park, helped design a machine to crack the Enigma code
- 1950 – Turing devises The Turing Test:
  - Can a computer produce answers indistinguishable from a human?
  - The Imitation Game
- 1954 – Turing commits suicide
Large Language Models (LLMs)
- ChatGPT (esp. 4)
- Bing
- Jasper
- embedded AI
- Photoshop
- Google Workspace
- incredibly rapid change
Current ChatGPT Issues
- Incomplete Data or Misinformation
- Theft of Intellectual Property
- Inappropriate Uses
- Response to MSU Shooting
- Threat to a Various Types of Jobs
- Mid-to Lower-Level Tech
- Media / PR Professionals
- Customer Service
- Paralegals / Attorneys?
- Religious Leaders?
- Monetization
A Quick Object Lesson
- Censorship Is a Biz-Kill
- China Was a Tech Leader in 2010s
- WeChat
- AliPay
- Beijing (CCP) Got Nervous
- Party Officials Took Corporate Seats
- Goal Was to Limit Social Influence
- Chinese Tech Companies Slashed Investment in Pure Research
ChatGPT and Education
- A Flawed Resource for Students
- Incomplete Information
- Misinformation
- Kids Will Use Technology to Cheat
  - Not the First Time …
  - Several Schools Have Had Cheating Scandals
  - NYC Blocked, then Unblocked, Access to ChatGPT
- Responses and Solutions
- Tools for Identifying Chat-Generated Content
- Incorporate Chat Critiques into Curricula
- The Revenge of the Palmer Method?
- Create Assessments that ChatGPT Can’t Answer
The Parade of Horribles
- Weaponization of Disinformation
- Cybersecurity
- Social Engineering
- Scams and Spams
- Manipulative Suggestions
- Integration with Other Technologies
- More Emotion-Targeted Advertising
- Displaced Emotional Relationships
- Personalized Chatbot (“Amanuensis”)
- Fasten Your Seat Belt. It’s Going to Be a Bumpy Night.

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Update from Ghana
2023–03–13_1100 Meeting with the Cybercrime Unit of the Ghana Police Service - #2023–03–14_1200 Visit to 5/6 classroom at Primus Hybrid School - #2023–03–19_1400 Pan-Africa webinar for parents - How can parents and carers monitor their children’s online activity without infringing on their privacy? - What are the long-term effects of excessive technology use on children’s mental and physical health? - How can parents and carers stay informed about new technology trends and potential risks? - What should parents and carers do if they suspect their child is being cyberbullied or harassed online? - How can parents and carers effectively communicate with their children about technology use without creating conflict or tension? - How can parents and carers address their own technology use and set a good example for their children? - What is the role of peer pressure and social media in shaping children’s online behavior, and how can parents and carers help children navigate these pressures? - How can technology be used to enhance learning and development for children, and what are some best practices for incorporating technology into education? - How can parents and carers help children build healthy relationships with their devices and encourage offline activities and hobbies? - What is the role of technology companies and platforms in promoting safe and responsible technology use, and how can parents and carers hold them accountable? - The Growing Problem of Deepfakes - News Item: New York students create a deepfake video of middle school principal saying racist things “https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/03/14/racist-deepfakes-carmel-tiktok/” - Details - Target of the malicious attack was George Fischer Middle School - In late January or early February, multiple videos were released on Tiktok, with a male voice laid over videos of Principal John Piscitella - The voiceovers contained racist statements and threats of violence - TikTok quickly took the videos down but not before they were seen by multiple students - Carmel Central School District sent out a letter on February 13, 2023, alerting parents to the videos and saying “that three high-schoolers had “used artificial intelligence to impersonate the staff” and made them appear to make “inappropriate comments” in videos.” - The school did not describe the videos, nor did it specifically mention the racist comments or threats of violence - Simultaneous, local police closed their investigation after determining that no crime had been committed - The District defended its response to angry parents, saying that “they were trying to balance disclosing sensitive information without generating panic” - But parents accused the District of minimizing the videos - The videos raise many issues, most controversial: - Racism - Student Privacy - The Use and Abuse of Technology (particularly AI) - Threats of Gun Violence - Disciplinary action was taken against three students but District refused to say what action was taken - Analysis - Schools need to be more transparent about the nature of incidents like these - We may need to consider the cost of student privacy - These were relatively crude deepfake videos; the technology exists now to make much more convincing videos - Additional Resources - #2023–03–09 Principal appears to spew racist threats in disturbing video — but it never actually happened “https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/principal-appears-to-spew-racist-threats-in-disturbing-video-%E2%80%94-but-it-never-actually-happened/ar-AA18qImu” - #2023–03–08 High Schoolers Made a Racist Deepfake of a Principal Threatening Black Students “https://www.vice.com/en/article/7kxzk9/school-principal-deepfake-racist-video” - #2023–03–02 TikTok videos threatening Black students have Carmel parents on edge, district promising change “https://www.lohud.com/story/news/education/2023/03/02/racist-tiktok-videos-threaten-black-kids-in-carmel-ny-worry-parents/69941181007/” - Fred’s presentation at ASTE about Chatbots

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Fred is in Africa until April 1.
Sign up for updates from Fred
Interview with Awo.
US State Department sponsored trip through Fullbright Specialist Program
SchoolAI
Fred’s Presentation about ChatGPT at ASTE.
Jethro’s chat with Damon Hargraves RE: ChatGPT on Transformative Principal
Rise of low level betting in rural areas.
Ho, Ghana - Tech forum and fair for women.
Statistic - In Africa, adoption of Smartphones is about 30% in high school and 10% in middle school.

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TONY BRASUNAS, independent journalist and author of the forthcoming RED, WHITE & BLIND: The Truth About Censorship in America and the Rise of Independent Media, which aims to explore media distortion and disinformation in the U.S. as well as the upswell of independent media that has risen up to combat it.

Corporate media vs independent media
“How 5 Companies Control All US Media”
New trends: corporate media trying to maintain control
Factcheckers as part of corporate media
Astroturf independent media (not actually independent)
Tremendous bias from corporate media
Innocent bias, Systemic bias, Nefarious bias.
Operation Mockingbird - Journalists being fed info or were agents, or were public figures
Impact of the internet on corporate and independent media.
The New Enlightenment
No intermediaries
Disinformation - building up false perspectives
Censorship - hiding information
Origin of COVID
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Ambassador’s daughter in Congress pretending to be a nurse.
Are there bad and nefarious people in corporate media or are many people just being hoodwinked.
The role of big corporations and perverse incentives.
The Narrative
Corporate media has the “power to deliver that narrative”
Corporate media sees their biggest threat as corporate media
Journalist - we’re all journalists.
Balanced media diet - 40 sources to give you an idea of what is really going on.
Tony’s Media Pyramid
Watch for confirmation bias.
The media narratives are the water that we swim in.
How to share media effectively.
Use the internet to share ideas you think are good.
Science is not a set of answers, it’s a way to question.
Censorship is anathema to science and democracy.

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This interview is from a recent conference that Fred and I attended called Professional Practices Institute. We had the chance to talk with some great people from around the country. I hope you enjoy this episode.

Fitting that for our 150th episode, we would have Dr. Glenn Lipson join us on the program again. - Forming a bucket brigade instead of a single bucket - Help others know their role. - Connecting across the country. - Intervening early prevents people falling down a slippery slope - Recognize the path of many interventions. - Find a champion - Anything worthwhile you’re doing should be comfortable sharing. - Guilty, Angry, Loneliness, Embarrassment. GALE forces - Empowering youth voices - Lonliness and isolation leads to perversion when people can’t find ways to self-soothe.

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Felicia Villalobos - Hawaiian Language permit - technology issues.

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148 Brytton Sorgenfrei & Justin Darling - 2 people for the whole state - Teaching administrators to start taking snapshots - How to investigate social media.

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meet 6 times a year, over 100 cases each year.
Different in what they can take action for.
Teachers growing up with social media, using it for everything.
Boundaries
Virtual life vs real life

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Terri Miller: President of SESAME - Dirty Secrets Pittsburg Post Gazette - NV criminalizing sexual acts with students over the age of consent - SESAME Act designed to prevent passing the trash - Dr. Billie-Jo Grant - board member at SESAME - ESSA bill prohibits separation agreements and confidentiality

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Investigative Reporter for Business Insider - Twitter
Investigating grooming of high school students by teachers
Grooming the community, then grooming the family, then grooming the victim.

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Jamie Boyd, Southern Arkansas University
- Online K–6 coursework that leads to licensure targeted at paraprofessionals
- Only university where enrollment has gone up.
- Valued as professionals
- How to solve the problem:
- Pay
- Focus in great teaching and providing autonomy

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This interview is a recap from the conference that Fred and I attended called Professional Practices Institute. We had the chance to talk with some great people from around the country. I hope you enjoy this episode. In this episode Fred talks with Quinton “Q” Dale fro Massachusetts.

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Arizona School Risk Retention Insurance Trust - You can Never be Safe Enough.
- Rise in the tools, use, manipulation
- Secrecy and ability to keep up.
- Easier to hide it now.
- Handled with deliberate indifference
- Someone could have stepped in.
- Groomers start by grooming the community, then grooming the family, then grooming the individual.

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Will your costume cost you your job?
Halloween will be celebrated on Monday, October 31, 2022.
Jethro’s Best Halloween Costume
Prediction: By mid-November, at least one teacher will have been fired for an inappropriate costume
Great article on the history of Halloween at History.com
Celebration dates back roughly 2,000 years, when the Celts lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off ghosts. They called the celebration Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”)
“To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other’s fortunes.”
“In the late 1800s, there was a move in America to mold Halloween into a holiday more about community and neighborly get-togethers than about ghosts, pranks and witchcraft.”
“Parents were encouraged by newspapers and community leaders to take anything “frightening” or “grotesque” out of Halloween celebrations. Because of these efforts, Halloween lost most of its superstitious and religious overtones by the beginning of the twentieth century.”
“Between 1920 and 1950, the centuries-old practice of trick-or-treating was also revived. Trick-or-treating was a relatively inexpensive way for an entire community to share the Halloween celebration. In theory, families could also prevent tricks being played on them by providing the neighborhood children with small treats.”
“Thus, a new American tradition was born, and it has continued to grow. Today, Americans spend an estimated $6 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country’s second largest commercial holiday after Christmas.”
“One quarter of all the candy sold annually in the U.S. is purchased for Halloween.”
Halloween Is Increasingly Popular Among Adults – Fascinating article in The Conversation
Between 2005 and 2018, the number of adults celebrating Halloween rose from 50% to more than 70%
Halloween is particularly popular among younger adults (18–34), who spend 2x older adults on costumes
“Halloween celebrations have changed, too: less trick-or-treating and more parties and bar hopping. Today, alcohol is as important as candy to the Halloween economy.”
But why? “If Halloween has become more popular among adults, it’s because traditional markers of adulthood have become less clear and less attainable.”
“Halloween, with its emphasis on identity, horror and transgression, can tell us about who we want to be and what we fear becoming.”
“For example, urban legends about razor blades in apples in the 1970s reflected cultural anxieties about loss of community and fear of strangers.”
Fred – “Operation Goblin”
“More recently, debates about skimpy costumes tap into broader concerns about young girls growing up too quickly.”
“Traditional markers of adult responsibility and independence – family, career, home ownership – have either been delayed or abandoned altogether, by choice or necessity. Transitions to adulthood have become uncertain, drawn out and complicated.”
“So why might an emerging adult be drawn to Halloween? Most obviously, Halloween costumes let them experiment and explore self and identity. The possibilities are endless. Witch? Robot couple? Sexy Robot? Emoji? Banksy’s shredded art? Young adults I’ve spoken with often identify this as their favorite part of the holiday – the chance to be, at least for a night, whatever they wish to be.”
“And young adults don’t do it alone. Some have told me that they’ll test out different costumes on social media to see which gets the best response. Others will look to others online for inspiration.”
“In this way, Halloween meshes with modern networked culture, in which young adults are using social media to navigate the world and make choices. Sociologists have found that many young adults build “collaborative selves” by continuously looking to others online to reinforce and evaluate their identities.”
“Halloween has always promised the chance to be creative and to become something else. But in embracing the holiday, emerging adults are doing more than reject traditional adulthood. They’re playing with identity in a way that puts their skills and cultural competence to work. They’re defining new ways to be – and become – an adult. And in the process, they’ve changed the way Halloween is celebrated.”
The Tensions of Halloween
An Opportunity to Play with Identity vs. Cultural/Racial Appropriation
Role Model vs. Individual Choice
Role Model vs. Halloween’s Themes of Gore, Violence, Horror, etc.
Freedom of “Speech” vs. Empathy and Respect
Model Code of Ethics for Educators
“https://www.nasdtec.net/page/MCEE_Doc”
The professional educator demonstrates responsibility to oneself and the profession by: Refraining from professional or personal activity that may lead to reducing one’s effectiveness within the school community
The professional educator respects the rights and dignity of all students by: Taking into account how appearance and dress can affect one’s interactions and relationships with students
The professional educator demonstrates an ethic of care through:
1. Seeking to understand students’ educational, academic, personal and social needs as well as students’ values, beliefs and cultural background;
1. Respecting the dignity, worth and uniqueness of each individual student including, but not limited to, actual and perceived gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual orientation, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic context, status, and culture
The professional educator promotes appropriate and effective effective and appropriate relationships with parents/guardians by: Demonstrating a commitment to equality, equity, diversity and inclusion with parents/guardians
The professional educator promotes appropriate and effective and appropriate relationships with employers by: Exhibiting personal and professional conduct that is in the best interest of the organization, learning community, school community and profession;
Costumes to Avoid – from Good Housekeeping
Holocaust victim/Nazi
Anything involving blackface
Transphobic costumes
The COVID–19 pandemic
Body-shaming and objectifying costumes
Cultural stereotypes
Terrorist-related
Zombie versions of dead celebrities
Eating disorders / body dysmorphia
Animal cruelty
The mentally ill
Sexual harassment or abuse
A homeless person
National tragedies
Social movements (pro/con)
Additional Themes that Can Be Landmines
Politics
Overly sexualized – no “Sexy Teacher” costumes, at least around kids
Overly Gory or Gruesome
Thanks to Social Media, Your Costume Choice Can Be Judged Globally
Avoiding the Costume Cybertrap
Think! Will Your Attempt at Humor Be Offensive or Hurtful?
Get a Second (or Third) Opinion
Administrators Should Share Advice (and This Podcast) Now
You Don’t Have to Be Around Kids to Get in Trouble
- Resources
2022–09–27 Most Offensive Halloween Costumes This Year
“https://www.workandmoney.com/s/most-offensive-halloween-costumes–866dfb26e5884879”
2022–06–06 15 Offensive Halloween Costumes That Shouldn’t Exist
“https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/a40778/most-offensive-halloween-costumes/”
2021–11–18 The Parkdale Teacher Who Wore Blackface As A Halloween Costume Got Fired By The Toronto District School Board
“https://6ix.buzz/the-parkdale-teacher-who-wore-blackface-as-a-halloween-costume-got-fired-by-the-toronto-district-school-board/”
2021–11–03 A White teacher is under investigation after showing up to school in blackface, the principal says
“https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/03/us/blackface-white-teacher-canada-trnd/index.html”
2021–11–01 Teacher Who Came to School in Blackface Forced to Wash to ‘Not Cause Further Harm’
“https://www.newsweek.com/teacher-who-came-school-blackface-forced-wash-not-cause-further-harm–1644621”
2022–10–03 Halloween 2022
“https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween#:~:text=In%20the%20late%201800s%2C%20there,way%20to%20celebrate%20the%20day.”
2021–10–29 It’s 2020. Offensive costumes have NO place in Halloween.
“https://www.pride.com/identities/8-problematic-halloween-costume-ideas-you-should-never-attempt
” - #2021–10–25 The Cybertraps Podcast, Episode 88: “Will Your Costume Cost You Your Career?”
“https://www.cybertraps.com/2021/10/25/will-your-costume-cost-you-your-career-cybertraps–88-halloween-edition/”
2020–08–19 Please Avoid These 15 Inappropriate Halloween Costumes
“https://finance.yahoo.com/photos/15-totally-inappropriate-halloween-costumes–154207858/”
2019–03–20 Teacher wore an Obama mask, Trump hat to school and it didn’t go over well
“https://www.nj.com/essex/2019/03/teachers-obama-mask-trump-hat-costume-fuels-racial-tensions-at-high-school.html”
2018–10–31 At this high school, staff and students take Halloween very seriously
“https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/holy-spirit-school-costumes–1.4885711”
2018–10–29 ‘My culture is not a costume’: Seattle school talks appropriate Halloween costumes
“https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/take–5/my-costume-is-not-a-culture-seattle-school-talks-appropriate-halloween-costumes/281–609343212”
2018–10–26 Why has Halloween become so popular among adults?
“https://theconversation.com/why-has-halloween-become-so-popular-among-adults–104896”
2018–10–25 Iowa Elementary School Teacher Allegedly Wears Blackface to Halloween Party
“https://www.newsweek.com/teacher-iowa-allegedly-blackface-halloween-party–1188281”
2016–11–04 Seattle high school teacher suspended for controversial Halloween costume
“https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/seattle-high-school-teacher-suspended-for-controversial-halloween-costume/463887455/”

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Will your costume cost you your job?
Halloween will be celebrated on Monday, October 31, 2022.
Jethro’s Best Halloween Costume
Prediction: By mid-November, at least one teacher will have been fired for an inappropriate costume
Great article on the history of Halloween at History.com
Celebration dates back roughly 2,000 years, when the Celts lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off ghosts. They called the celebration Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”)
“To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other’s fortunes.”
“In the late 1800s, there was a move in America to mold Halloween into a holiday more about community and neighborly get-togethers than about ghosts, pranks and witchcraft.”
“Parents were encouraged by newspapers and community leaders to take anything “frightening” or “grotesque” out of Halloween celebrations. Because of these efforts, Halloween lost most of its superstitious and religious overtones by the beginning of the twentieth century.”
“Between 1920 and 1950, the centuries-old practice of trick-or-treating was also revived. Trick-or-treating was a relatively inexpensive way for an entire community to share the Halloween celebration. In theory, families could also prevent tricks being played on them by providing the neighborhood children with small treats.”
“Thus, a new American tradition was born, and it has continued to grow. Today, Americans spend an estimated $6 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country’s second largest commercial holiday after Christmas.”
“One quarter of all the candy sold annually in the U.S. is purchased for Halloween.”
Halloween Is Increasingly Popular Among Adults – Fascinating article in The Conversation
Between 2005 and 2018, the number of adults celebrating Halloween rose from 50% to more than 70%
Halloween is particularly popular among younger adults (18–34), who spend 2x older adults on costumes
“Halloween celebrations have changed, too: less trick-or-treating and more parties and bar hopping. Today, alcohol is as important as candy to the Halloween economy.”
But why? “If Halloween has become more popular among adults, it’s because traditional markers of adulthood have become less clear and less attainable.”
“Halloween, with its emphasis on identity, horror and transgression, can tell us about who we want to be and what we fear becoming.”
“For example, urban legends about razor blades in apples in the 1970s reflected cultural anxieties about loss of community and fear of strangers.”
Fred – “Operation Goblin”
“More recently, debates about skimpy costumes tap into broader concerns about young girls growing up too quickly.”
“Traditional markers of adult responsibility and independence – family, career, home ownership – have either been delayed or abandoned altogether, by choice or necessity. Transitions to adulthood have become uncertain, drawn out and complicated.”
“So why might an emerging adult be drawn to Halloween? Most obviously, Halloween costumes let them experiment and explore self and identity. The possibilities are endless. Witch? Robot couple? Sexy Robot? Emoji? Banksy’s shredded art? Young adults I’ve spoken with often identify this as their favorite part of the holiday – the chance to be, at least for a night, whatever they wish to be.”
“And young adults don’t do it alone. Some have told me that they’ll test out different costumes on social media to see which gets the best response. Others will look to others online for inspiration.”
“In this way, Halloween meshes with modern networked culture, in which young adults are using social media to navigate the world and make choices. Sociologists have found that many young adults build “collaborative selves” by continuously looking to others online to reinforce and evaluate their identities.”
“Halloween has always promised the chance to be creative and to become something else. But in embracing the holiday, emerging adults are doing more than reject traditional adulthood. They’re playing with identity in a way that puts their skills and cultural competence to work. They’re defining new ways to be – and become – an adult. And in the process, they’ve changed the way Halloween is celebrated.”
The Tensions of Halloween
An Opportunity to Play with Identity vs. Cultural/Racial Appropriation
Role Model vs. Individual Choice
Role Model vs. Halloween’s Themes of Gore, Violence, Horror, etc.
Freedom of “Speech” vs. Empathy and Respect
Model Code of Ethics for Educators
“https://www.nasdtec.net/page/MCEE_Doc”
The professional educator demonstrates responsibility to oneself and the profession by: Refraining from professional or personal activity that may lead to reducing one’s effectiveness within the school community
The professional educator respects the rights and dignity of all students by: Taking into account how appearance and dress can affect one’s interactions and relationships with students
The professional educator demonstrates an ethic of care through:
1. Seeking to understand students’ educational, academic, personal and social needs as well as students’ values, beliefs and cultural background;
1. Respecting the dignity, worth and uniqueness of each individual student including, but not limited to, actual and perceived gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual orientation, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic context, status, and culture
The professional educator promotes appropriate and effective effective and appropriate relationships with parents/guardians by: Demonstrating a commitment to equality, equity, diversity and inclusion with parents/guardians
The professional educator promotes appropriate and effective and appropriate relationships with employers by: Exhibiting personal and professional conduct that is in the best interest of the organization, learning community, school community and profession;
Costumes to Avoid – from Good Housekeeping
Holocaust victim/Nazi
Anything involving blackface
Transphobic costumes
The COVID–19 pandemic
Body-shaming and objectifying costumes
Cultural stereotypes
Terrorist-related
Zombie versions of dead celebrities
Eating disorders / body dysmorphia
Animal cruelty
The mentally ill
Sexual harassment or abuse
A homeless person
National tragedies
Social movements (pro/con)
Additional Themes that Can Be Landmines
Politics
Overly sexualized – no “Sexy Teacher” costumes, at least around kids
Overly Gory or Gruesome
Thanks to Social Media, Your Costume Choice Can Be Judged Globally
Avoiding the Costume Cybertrap
Think! Will Your Attempt at Humor Be Offensive or Hurtful?
Get a Second (or Third) Opinion
Administrators Should Share Advice (and This Podcast) Now
You Don’t Have to Be Around Kids to Get in Trouble
- Resources
2022–09–27 Most Offensive Halloween Costumes This Year
“https://www.workandmoney.com/s/most-offensive-halloween-costumes–866dfb26e5884879”
2022–06–06 15 Offensive Halloween Costumes That Shouldn’t Exist
“https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/a40778/most-offensive-halloween-costumes/”
2021–11–18 The Parkdale Teacher Who Wore Blackface As A Halloween Costume Got Fired By The Toronto District School Board
“https://6ix.buzz/the-parkdale-teacher-who-wore-blackface-as-a-halloween-costume-got-fired-by-the-toronto-district-school-board/”
2021–11–03 A White teacher is under investigation after showing up to school in blackface, the principal says
“https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/03/us/blackface-white-teacher-canada-trnd/index.html”
2021–11–01 Teacher Who Came to School in Blackface Forced to Wash to ‘Not Cause Further Harm’
“https://www.newsweek.com/teacher-who-came-school-blackface-forced-wash-not-cause-further-harm–1644621”
2022–10–03 Halloween 2022
“https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween#:~:text=In%20the%20late%201800s%2C%20there,way%20to%20celebrate%20the%20day.”
2021–10–29 It’s 2020. Offensive costumes have NO place in Halloween.
“https://www.pride.com/identities/8-problematic-halloween-costume-ideas-you-should-never-attempt
” - #2021–10–25 The Cybertraps Podcast, Episode 88: “Will Your Costume Cost You Your Career?”
“https://www.cybertraps.com/2021/10/25/will-your-costume-cost-you-your-career-cybertraps–88-halloween-edition/”
2020–08–19 Please Avoid These 15 Inappropriate Halloween Costumes
“https://finance.yahoo.com/photos/15-totally-inappropriate-halloween-costumes–154207858/”
2019–03–20 Teacher wore an Obama mask, Trump hat to school and it didn’t go over well
“https://www.nj.com/essex/2019/03/teachers-obama-mask-trump-hat-costume-fuels-racial-tensions-at-high-school.html”
2018–10–31 At this high school, staff and students take Halloween very seriously
“https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/holy-spirit-school-costumes–1.4885711”
2018–10–29 ‘My culture is not a costume’: Seattle school talks appropriate Halloween costumes
“https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/take–5/my-costume-is-not-a-culture-seattle-school-talks-appropriate-halloween-costumes/281–609343212”
2018–10–26 Why has Halloween become so popular among adults?
“https://theconversation.com/why-has-halloween-become-so-popular-among-adults–104896”
2018–10–25 Iowa Elementary School Teacher Allegedly Wears Blackface to Halloween Party
“https://www.newsweek.com/teacher-iowa-allegedly-blackface-halloween-party–1188281”
2016–11–04 Seattle high school teacher suspended for controversial Halloween costume
“https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/seattle-high-school-teacher-suspended-for-controversial-halloween-costume/463887455/”

View Details

News Item: Molly Russell, a 14-year-old girl living in London, committed suicide in November 2017. Earlier today (Sept. 30, 2022), a senior coroner ruled that her death was the result of depression and “the negative effects of online content.”

Inquest
A two-week inquest into the cause of Russell’s death focused on her use of Instagram and Pinterest
Process was very slow due to lengthy response time by tech giants
Evidence showed that she viewed a variety of graphic content in the months before her death
“Molly viewed more than 16,000 pieces of content on Instagram in the final six months of her life, of which 2,100 were related to suicide, self-harm and depression. The inquest also heard how she had compiled a digital pinboard on Pinterest with 469 images related to similar subjects.”
“Algorithms, which curate a user’s online experience, recommended 34 Instagram accounts to Molly that were either “sad or depressive related”, while Pinterest sent a message to Molly’s email address recommending “10 depression pins you might like”.”
The coroner found that some of the sites she viewed were “not safe” because they allowed her to view content inappropriate for a 14-year-old
Ian Russell, Molly’s father, said “his daughter had reached out for help on Twitter to personalities with thousands or even millions of followers, who would not even necessarily notice a tweet from someone like Molly.”
- “One message, sent to US actress Lili Reinhart, which was read to the court, said: ”I can’t take it any more. I need to reach out to someone, I just can’t take it."
“It is likely that the above material viewed by Molly, already suffering with a depressive illness and vulnerable due to her age, affected her in a negative way and contributed to her death in a more than minimal way,” the coroner said.
“Elizabeth Lagone, the head of health and wellbeing policy at Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, admitted Molly had viewed posts that violated its content policies and Lagone apologised.”
“A senior Pinterest executive also apologised for the platform showing inappropriate content and acknowledged that the platform was not safe at the time Molly was on it.”
An Enormous Problem
Research in the UK showed 45% of children aged 8–17 have seen harmful content, including self-harm and suicide, pornography, sexualised and violent imagery, anonymous trolling, and content featuring images of diet restriction.
According to the report, "[C]hildren rarely sought out this content. “It is promoted and offered up to them by highly complex recommendation algorithms, which are designed to capture and retain their attention. When harmful content is reported to platforms, children tell me that little is done in response.”
Platforms self-regulate, “using a mixture of human moderators and artificial intelligence to find and take down illegal or harmful material proactively or when users report it to them.”
“[P]latforms struggle with moderating the sheer scale of content being posted and the balancing act of allowing users to express themselves while trying to keep their online spaces safe.”
Activism and Governmental Response
Russell’s parents have become outspoken advocates for greater regulation of social media
The family has set up the Molly Rose Foundation, which is dedicated to connecting under–25s with mental health services
The UK is drafting an online safety bill, which will place a “duty of care on tech companies to shield children from harmful content and systems.”
Tech companies must do a professional assessment of how their platforms may harm children and what they can do to mitigate the risks.
“Ofcom, the communications watchdog, will vet those proposals and monitor the companies’ adherence to them. Breaches of the bill can be met with fines of up £18m or 10% of a company’s worldwide revenue. Instagram’s owner, Meta, recorded a turnover of $118bn (£106bn) last year.”
Legal Issues
The UK does not have a First Amendment, so greater latitude in terms of regulating online content
The First Amendment in the United States guarantees freedom of speech, making regulation much more difficult
In addition, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act offers legal protection to online service providers who distribute “user-generated content”
One possible avenue is to focus on the regulation of algorithms as a “product,” and then apply consumer safety regulations
Suicide Prevention
In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1–800–273–8255.
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie.
In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14.
Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.
Resources
2022–09–30 Molly Russell: Harrow schoolgirl died as a result of ‘self harm’, inquest finds

“https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/molly-russell-harrow-schoolgirl-died–25145910”
2022–09–30 Molly Russell: how family are helping shift narrative on online safety
“https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/sep/30/molly-russell-family-helping-shift-online-safety-regulation”
2022–09–30 Molly Russell died while suffering from effects of online content, coroner says
“https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/30/molly-russell-died-while-suffering-negative-effects-of-online-content-rules-coroner”
2022–09–30 ‘Molly turned to celebrities for help not knowing there was little chance of reply’: Coroner’s landmark ruling that social media posts glamourising suicide DID contribute to 14-year-old’s death from self-harm - as her father makes plea for change
“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–11266467/Coroner-rules-social-media-posts-viewed-Molly-Russell–14-not-safe.html”
2022–09–30 Damming verdict on social media: Coroner rules schoolgirl Molly Russell killed herself after viewing harmful posts
“https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/senior-coroner-rules-online-content-played-part-in-death-of-molly-russell/”
2022–09–30 Molly Russell inquest – coroner’s conclusion in full
“https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/molly-russell-inquest-coroner-conclusion–111821661.html
” - #2022–09–29 Molly Russell inquest must lead to action on internet dangers, says coroner
“https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/sep/29/molly-russell-inquest-must-lead-to-action-on-internet-dangers-says-coroner”
2022–09–29 Almost half of children in England have seen harmful content online – survey
“https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/sep/29/almost-half-of-children-in-england-have-seen-harmful-content-online-survey”
2022–09–29 Digital childhoods: a survey of children and parents
“https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/report/digital-childhoods-a-survey-of-children-and-parents/”
2022–09–27 Psychiatrist ‘did not sleep well’ after viewing content seen by Molly Russell
“https://uk.news.yahoo.com/psychiatrist-did-not-sleep-well–112519535.html”
2022–09–23 Molly Russell inquest: Instagram clips seen by teen ‘most distressing’
“https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london–62998484”
2022–09–22 Molly Russell inquest: Pinterest executive admits site was not safe
“https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london–62991510”
2022–03–23 TechScape: Could this be the end of trolls and cyberflashers?
“https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/mar/23/techscape-online-safety-bill”
2022–03–16 Molly Russell inquest: family frustrated by wait for Instagram data
“https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/16/molly-russell-inquest-family-frustrated-by-wait-for-instagram-data”
2021–12–06 Molly Russell coroner challenges social media firms to help make internet safer
“https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/molly-russell-london-harrow-facebook-instagram-b970293.html”

View Details

Inquest
A two-week inquest into the cause of Russell’s death focused on her use of Instagram and Pinterest
Process was very slow due to lengthy response time by tech giants
Evidence showed that she viewed a variety of graphic content in the months before her death
“Molly viewed more than 16,000 pieces of content on Instagram in the final six months of her life, of which 2,100 were related to suicide, self-harm and depression. The inquest also heard how she had compiled a digital pinboard on Pinterest with 469 images related to similar subjects.”
“Algorithms, which curate a user’s online experience, recommended 34 Instagram accounts to Molly that were either “sad or depressive related”, while Pinterest sent a message to Molly’s email address recommending “10 depression pins you might like”.”
The coroner found that some of the sites she viewed were “not safe” because they allowed her to view content inappropriate for a 14-year-old
Ian Russell, Molly’s father, said “his daughter had reached out for help on Twitter to personalities with thousands or even millions of followers, who would not even necessarily notice a tweet from someone like Molly.”
- “One message, sent to US actress Lili Reinhart, which was read to the court, said: ”I can’t take it any more. I need to reach out to someone, I just can’t take it."
“It is likely that the above material viewed by Molly, already suffering with a depressive illness and vulnerable due to her age, affected her in a negative way and contributed to her death in a more than minimal way,” the coroner said.
“Elizabeth Lagone, the head of health and wellbeing policy at Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, admitted Molly had viewed posts that violated its content policies and Lagone apologised.”
“A senior Pinterest executive also apologised for the platform showing inappropriate content and acknowledged that the platform was not safe at the time Molly was on it.”
An Enormous Problem
Research in the UK showed 45% of children aged 8–17 have seen harmful content, including self-harm and suicide, pornography, sexualised and violent imagery, anonymous trolling, and content featuring images of diet restriction.
According to the report, "[C]hildren rarely sought out this content. “It is promoted and offered up to them by highly complex recommendation algorithms, which are designed to capture and retain their attention. When harmful content is reported to platforms, children tell me that little is done in response.”
Platforms self-regulate, “using a mixture of human moderators and artificial intelligence to find and take down illegal or harmful material proactively or when users report it to them.”
“[P]latforms struggle with moderating the sheer scale of content being posted and the balancing act of allowing users to express themselves while trying to keep their online spaces safe.”
Activism and Governmental Response
Russell’s parents have become outspoken advocates for greater regulation of social media
The family has set up the Molly Rose Foundation, which is dedicated to connecting under–25s with mental health services
The UK is drafting an online safety bill, which will place a “duty of care on tech companies to shield children from harmful content and systems.”
Tech companies must do a professional assessment of how their platforms may harm children and what they can do to mitigate the risks.
“Ofcom, the communications watchdog, will vet those proposals and monitor the companies’ adherence to them. Breaches of the bill can be met with fines of up £18m or 10% of a company’s worldwide revenue. Instagram’s owner, Meta, recorded a turnover of $118bn (£106bn) last year.”
Legal Issues
The UK does not have a First Amendment, so greater latitude in terms of regulating online content
The First Amendment in the United States guarantees freedom of speech, making regulation much more difficult
In addition, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act offers legal protection to online service providers who distribute “user-generated content”
One possible avenue is to focus on the regulation of algorithms as a “product,” and then apply consumer safety regulations
Suicide Prevention
In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1–800–273–8255.
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie.
In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14.
Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.
Resources
2022–09–30 Molly Russell: Harrow schoolgirl died as a result of ‘self harm’, inquest finds

“https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/molly-russell-harrow-schoolgirl-died–25145910”
2022–09–30 Molly Russell: how family are helping shift narrative on online safety
“https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/sep/30/molly-russell-family-helping-shift-online-safety-regulation”
2022–09–30 Molly Russell died while suffering from effects of online content, coroner says
“https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/30/molly-russell-died-while-suffering-negative-effects-of-online-content-rules-coroner”
2022–09–30 ‘Molly turned to celebrities for help not knowing there was little chance of reply’: Coroner’s landmark ruling that social media posts glamourising suicide DID contribute to 14-year-old’s death from self-harm - as her father makes plea for change
“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–11266467/Coroner-rules-social-media-posts-viewed-Molly-Russell–14-not-safe.html”
2022–09–30 Damming verdict on social media: Coroner rules schoolgirl Molly Russell killed herself after viewing harmful posts
“https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/senior-coroner-rules-online-content-played-part-in-death-of-molly-russell/”
2022–09–30 Molly Russell inquest – coroner’s conclusion in full
“https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/molly-russell-inquest-coroner-conclusion–111821661.html
” - #2022–09–29 Molly Russell inquest must lead to action on internet dangers, says coroner
“https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/sep/29/molly-russell-inquest-must-lead-to-action-on-internet-dangers-says-coroner”
2022–09–29 Almost half of children in England have seen harmful content online – survey
“https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/sep/29/almost-half-of-children-in-england-have-seen-harmful-content-online-survey”
2022–09–29 Digital childhoods: a survey of children and parents
“https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/report/digital-childhoods-a-survey-of-children-and-parents/”
2022–09–27 Psychiatrist ‘did not sleep well’ after viewing content seen by Molly Russell
“https://uk.news.yahoo.com/psychiatrist-did-not-sleep-well–112519535.html”
2022–09–23 Molly Russell inquest: Instagram clips seen by teen ‘most distressing’
“https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london–62998484”
2022–09–22 Molly Russell inquest: Pinterest executive admits site was not safe
“https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london–62991510”
2022–03–23 TechScape: Could this be the end of trolls and cyberflashers?
“https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/mar/23/techscape-online-safety-bill”
2022–03–16 Molly Russell inquest: family frustrated by wait for Instagram data
“https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/16/molly-russell-inquest-family-frustrated-by-wait-for-instagram-data”
2021–12–06 Molly Russell coroner challenges social media firms to help make internet safer
“https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/molly-russell-london-harrow-facebook-instagram-b970293.html”

View Details

This is a preview of Fred’s general session presentation at PPI on October 19 in Boise, ID
Carrie Goldberg’s Thread about her lawsuit against Amazon
The full title of the presentation is “The Cybertraps of Emerging Technologies: “Deep Fakes,” Augmented and Virtual Reality, the Metaverse, and Whatever AI Has In Store for Us”
Outline
Introduction
The March of the Eduverse: A Brief Overview
- What Is Reality, Really?
- “Augmented” Reality
- “Virtual” Reality
  - The Metaverse: The Avatar’s Playground
- Artificial Intelligence
- “Deep Fakes”: Old Concept, Terrifying Potential
- Fred’s live DALL-E 2 rendering
Risk Factors for Educators
- Insufficiently Understood Technology
- Further Shared Space with Students
- Student Technological Edge
- Challenges of Supervision
Potential Cybertraps
- Personal
- Distraction
- Inappropriate Content
- Professional
- Inappropriate Friendships
- Favoritism / Virtual Gift-Giving
- Invasions of sTUDENT Privacy
- Cyberharassment and Cyberbullying
- Virtual Assault
Resources - #2022–09–27 This Artificial Intelligence App Wants To Make You A Better Teacher
“https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawhitford/2022/09/27/this-artificial-intelligence-app-wants-to-make-you-a-better-teacher/”
2022–09–23 Opinion: The metaverse could be transformative, but it’s a legal and ethical minefield
“https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/23/opinions/metaverse-transformative-ethics-thomason-spc-intl/index.html”
2022–09–12 Metaverse Beckons A New Avatar Of Education But Are We Ready? “https://www.outlookindia.com/business/metaverse-beckons-a-new-avatar-of-education-but-are-we-ready–news–222843”
2022–09–06 How artificial intelligence can be a force for good in schools
“https://www.tes.com/magazine/teaching-learning/general/how-ai-artificial-intelligence-good-schools”
2022–06–01 The Metaverse Is Already Here, and K–12 Schools Are Using It for Education
“https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2022/06/metaverse-already-here-and-k–12-schools-are-using-it-education”
2022–05–11 The Metaverse: 5 Things Educators Should Know
“https://www.techlearning.com/news/the-metaverse–5-things-educators-should-know”
2022–04–25 What Is the Metaverse, Exactly?
“https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-the-metaverse/”
2022–02–15 Why you can’t have legs in virtual reality (yet)
“https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/15/tech/vr-no-legs-explainer/index.html”
2021–11–29 Teaching in the ‘Metaverse’? Roblox Looks to Make It a Reality
“https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/teaching-in-the-metaverse-roblox-looks-to-make-it-a-reality/2021/11”

View Details

This is a preview of Fred’s general session presentation at PPI on October 19 in Boise, ID
Carrie Goldberg’s Thread about her lawsuit against Amazon
The full title of the presentation is “The Cybertraps of Emerging Technologies: “Deep Fakes,” Augmented and Virtual Reality, the Metaverse, and Whatever AI Has In Store for Us”
Outline
Introduction
The March of the Eduverse: A Brief Overview
- What Is Reality, Really?
- “Augmented” Reality
- “Virtual” Reality
  - The Metaverse: The Avatar’s Playground
- Artificial Intelligence
- “Deep Fakes”: Old Concept, Terrifying Potential
- Fred’s live DALL-E 2 rendering
Risk Factors for Educators
- Insufficiently Understood Technology
- Further Shared Space with Students
- Student Technological Edge
- Challenges of Supervision
Potential Cybertraps
- Personal
- Distraction
- Inappropriate Content
- Professional
- Inappropriate Friendships
- Favoritism / Virtual Gift-Giving
- Invasions of sTUDENT Privacy
- Cyberharassment and Cyberbullying
- Virtual Assault
Resources - #2022–09–27 This Artificial Intelligence App Wants To Make You A Better Teacher
“https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawhitford/2022/09/27/this-artificial-intelligence-app-wants-to-make-you-a-better-teacher/”
2022–09–23 Opinion: The metaverse could be transformative, but it’s a legal and ethical minefield
“https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/23/opinions/metaverse-transformative-ethics-thomason-spc-intl/index.html”
2022–09–12 Metaverse Beckons A New Avatar Of Education But Are We Ready? “https://www.outlookindia.com/business/metaverse-beckons-a-new-avatar-of-education-but-are-we-ready–news–222843”
2022–09–06 How artificial intelligence can be a force for good in schools
“https://www.tes.com/magazine/teaching-learning/general/how-ai-artificial-intelligence-good-schools”
2022–06–01 The Metaverse Is Already Here, and K–12 Schools Are Using It for Education
“https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2022/06/metaverse-already-here-and-k–12-schools-are-using-it-education”
2022–05–11 The Metaverse: 5 Things Educators Should Know
“https://www.techlearning.com/news/the-metaverse–5-things-educators-should-know”
2022–04–25 What Is the Metaverse, Exactly?
“https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-the-metaverse/”
2022–02–15 Why you can’t have legs in virtual reality (yet)
“https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/15/tech/vr-no-legs-explainer/index.html”
2021–11–29 Teaching in the ‘Metaverse’? Roblox Looks to Make It a Reality
“https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/teaching-in-the-metaverse-roblox-looks-to-make-it-a-reality/2021/11”

View Details

News Item: A recent New York Times article reports that an increasing number of parents are buying Apple watches for elementary school kids
Smartwatches for children are a booming sector of the tech market
Hundreds of different models with a range of features
Some smartwatches are tied to particular cellular companies, others are “unlocked”
A 2020 survey showed that 31% of American teens owned a smartwatch, compared to 21% of adults
Features and Selling Points of Smartwatches
Limited apps / less distraction than phones
Voice calls and basic texting (with cellular connectivity – typically part of family plan)
- Importance of Communication with Child for Schedule Changes, Emergencies
Location tracking by parents
Geofencing for alerts
Can help delay requests for smartphone
Some watches come with apps to help with time management and to encourage physical activity
Apple introduced “Family Setup,” which gives parents the ability to supervise a range of data on the phone and limit notifications
Smartwatch Issues to Consider
Cost
Durability/Fragility of Device
Maturity / Development of Child
- Plan time to educate child on using device
- Will child wear it every day?
Battery / Power management
Brand Capture
Safety and Etiquette
- Teach children to avoid distracted walking
- Don’t be distracted by watch when interacting with other people
- Understand risks of strange messages or calls
Privacy
- Is the child’s information on the watch protected?
- Does the watch company comply with COPPA?
- Does the CHILD understand that his or her location is being tracked? Transparency is important.
- If smartwatch has a camera, child needs to understand privacy boundaries for themselves and others
How Are Schools Reacting?
Generally positive
Fewer restrictions than smartphones
Less distraction
Recommended Brands
Verizon GizmoWatch2 (~ $100)
TickTalk4 (~ $190)
Xplora X5 Play (~ $200)
Apple SE (~ $300)
Resources
2022–09–01 How tech can help keep your kids safe at school
2022–09–01 An Apple Watch for Your 5-Year-Old? More Parents Say Yes.
2022–08–31 The Best Smartwatches For Kids (And Parents) To Stay Connected
2022–08–30 Smart watches in schools, do they make kids safer?
2022–08–23 Best Smartwatches for Kids
2022–08–06 The 6 Best Smartwatches For Kids To Help Keep Them Active, Connected, & Entertained
2022–08–03 EARLY YEARS: Smart watches for kids could be smarter, safer alternative to cell phones
2021–10–26 The Best Smartwatches and Phones for Kids
2021–09–16 The Best Smartwatches for Kids, According to a 9-Year-Old and His Mom

View Details

News Item: A recent New York Times article reports that an increasing number of parents are buying Apple watches for elementary school kids
Smartwatches for children are a booming sector of the tech market
Hundreds of different models with a range of features
Some smartwatches are tied to particular cellular companies, others are “unlocked”
A 2020 survey showed that 31% of American teens owned a smartwatch, compared to 21% of adults
Features and Selling Points of Smartwatches
Limited apps / less distraction than phones
Voice calls and basic texting (with cellular connectivity – typically part of family plan)
- Importance of Communication with Child for Schedule Changes, Emergencies
Location tracking by parents
Geofencing for alerts
Can help delay requests for smartphone
Some watches come with apps to help with time management and to encourage physical activity
Apple introduced “Family Setup,” which gives parents the ability to supervise a range of data on the phone and limit notifications
Smartwatch Issues to Consider
Cost
Durability/Fragility of Device
Maturity / Development of Child
- Plan time to educate child on using device
- Will child wear it every day?
Battery / Power management
Brand Capture
Safety and Etiquette
- Teach children to avoid distracted walking
- Don’t be distracted by watch when interacting with other people
- Understand risks of strange messages or calls
Privacy
- Is the child’s information on the watch protected?
- Does the watch company comply with COPPA?
- Does the CHILD understand that his or her location is being tracked? Transparency is important.
- If smartwatch has a camera, child needs to understand privacy boundaries for themselves and others
How Are Schools Reacting?
Generally positive
Fewer restrictions than smartphones
Less distraction
Recommended Brands
Verizon GizmoWatch2 (~ $100)
TickTalk4 (~ $190)
Xplora X5 Play (~ $200)
Apple SE (~ $300)
Resources
2022–09–01 How tech can help keep your kids safe at school
2022–09–01 An Apple Watch for Your 5-Year-Old? More Parents Say Yes.
2022–08–31 The Best Smartwatches For Kids (And Parents) To Stay Connected
2022–08–30 Smart watches in schools, do they make kids safer?
2022–08–23 Best Smartwatches for Kids
2022–08–06 The 6 Best Smartwatches For Kids To Help Keep Them Active, Connected, & Entertained
2022–08–03 EARLY YEARS: Smart watches for kids could be smarter, safer alternative to cell phones
2021–10–26 The Best Smartwatches and Phones for Kids
2021–09–16 The Best Smartwatches for Kids, According to a 9-Year-Old and His Mom

View Details

News Item – Students at Davisville Middle School in North Kingstown, RI set up a Discord subchannel to document inappropriate behavior by a teacher
North Kingstown School District is a hot mess
In April 2022, a series of lawsuits were filed against the District, high school administrators, and former boys’ basketball coach Aaron Thomas.
The suit alleges that Thomas ordered boys to strip naked and then used calipers on their thighs to allegedly measure body fat percentage
Complaints were made about Thomas’s behavior in 2017 and 2018, but the suit alleges that nothing was done
Players felt coerced to cooperate because they were competing for spots on the team and playing time
Defendants named in the lawsuit include:
- School committee members
- North Kingston finance director
- Former district superintendent Philip Auger
- Former HS principal and assistant superintendent Denise Mancieri
- Former teacher/coach Aaron Thomas
A second lawsuit alleges that the District was slow to take action against a different coach who stalked a young student for weeks
- Parents complained repeatedly to school officials but received little cooperation
- Eventually, the teacher was removed from the district but went on to work in two other districts and is still licensed in Rhode Island
Retired judge Susan McGuirl conducted an independent review of the District’s response to the Thomas complaints and concluded that the District and several of its employees had failed to take appropriate action
- When a school fails, they lost the trust of the community that they serve. Schools must recognize their failures and making the necessary changes to prevent something like this from happening again. That trust must be rebuilt, and that will take time, To rebuild this trust, they must be candid and transparent with the community they serve regarding the changes they are making and any future situations they may encounter.
Following the report, administrators Auger and Mancieri resigned. In addition, the U.S. Attorney for the state of Rhode Island opened an investigation
In July, six statements were filed with the U.S. Attorney regarding inappropriate behavior by two former North Kingstown coaches. They were accused of finding excuses to watch middle school girls in dance classes, inappropriate comments, encouraging sexualized dancing in class, and overly intimate spotting and assisting during gymnastics and exercise classes
- In his statement, a current Davis Middle School male student alluded to a “log regarding the comments and conduct that bothered us.”
The Boston Globe obtained a copy of the log and reported on it in early September 2022
- Several sixth grade boys were uncomfortable with how a teacher was treating their female classmates
- By seventh grade, they decided to take notes, and tried to tell adults (parents? other teachers? administrators?) what was going on. They did not feel anyone was taking them seriously.
- In January 2021, decided to electronically document different incidents
- They set up a Discord subchannel, named it after the teacher, and labeled it “Pedo Database.”
- The kids took notes in real time: “During COVID, as they attended class online, they’d open the Discord channel on a split-screen and document the teacher’s comments …”
- “Once they were back in class in person, the boys jotted down notes to add to the channel later…”
- “The “Pedo Database” is in the hands of the US attorney’s Office, the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families, the state Department of Education, and with lawyer Matthew Oliverio, who is conducting the school’s internal investigation.”
- Screenshot shows Discord conversation and the savvy with which the boys took notes: teacher comments, students at whom they were directed, date/time
- [Discord.png]
Takeaways
Decent kids; great of them to look out for their classmates
Adults should do a better job of listening to kids
Kids are increasingly sophisticated about the world and how technology can be used to interact with it
Kids are not necessarily fully cognizant of the harm that can be caused by casually using or misusing certain words
Kids are not trained investigators nor are they necessarily unbiased observers
Technology continues to shift traditional power dynamics; kids have access to endless communication and collaboration tools, many invisible to adults
Potential for abuse by students is not insignificant; false accusations are not uncommon
Resources
S.E.S.A.M.E. (Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct, and Exploitation)
“https://www.sesamenet.org/
”
2022–09–12 New England Teacher On Leave After 8 Middle School Boys Keep Log Of His Alleged Harassment

“https://dailyvoice.com/connecticut/hartford/schools/new-england-teacher-on-leave-after–8-middle-school-boys-keep-log-of-his-alleged-harassment/843375/”
2022–09–11 A Rhode Island teacher is on leave after a group of middle-school boys who thought he was a ‘creep’ used a ‘pedo database’ to keep track of how he interacted with girls in their class
“https://www.insider.com/teacher-on-leave-middle-school-boys-creep-pedo-database-girls–2022–9
” - #2022–09–09 The middle school boys thought their teacher was a ‘creep.’ So they tracked how he treated the girls.
“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/09/09/metro/middle-school-boys-thought-their-teacher-was-creep-so-they-tracked-how-he-treated-girls/”
2022–07–27 What you need to know about North Kingstown High School Coach Aaron Thomas and the ‘fat test’ issue
“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/11/30/metro/more-news-about-north-kingstown-high-school-coach-aaron-thomas/
” - #2022–07–08 New allegations of ‘creepy’ behavior leveled against two North Kingstown coaches
“https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/crime/2022/07/08/north-kingstown-school-coaches-accused-behavior-girls-uncomfortable/7831575001/”
2022–06–13 Naked fat testing of NK basketball players was ‘open secret’. What a blistering report says
“https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/06/13/aaron-thomas-scandal-judge-mcguirl-report-fat-testing-released-north-kingston-ri/7609644001/”
2022–06–09 Independent Review of the North Kingston Fat Testing Controversy
“https://www.northkingstown.org/DocumentCenter/View/5864/Judge-McGuirl-Report”
2022–06–01 A second former student has sued North Kingstown schools over a coach’s ‘fat tests’
“https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/06/01/north-kingston-ri-basketball-coach-school-district-sued-student-fat-test/7469424001/”
2022–05–16 Bill aims to criminalize sex between students and adults in ‘position of authority’
“https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/05/16/ri-bill-would-criminalize-sex-between-students-and-teachers-coaches/9793392002/”
2022–04–30 North Kingstown superintendent places middle-school teacher on leave, orders investigation after stalking allegations
“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/30/metro/north-kingstown-superintendent-places-middle-school-teacher-leave-orders-investigation-after-stalking-allegations/
” - #2022–04–28 Another North Kingstown coach accused of inappropriate behavior with underage student
“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/28/metro/another-north-kingstown-coach-accused-inappropriate-behavior-with-underage-student/
” - #2022–04–20 Former student sues North Kingstown officials over Aaron Thomas ‘fat-testing’ scandal
“https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/04/20/aaron-thomas-fat-testing-former-north-kingston-student-sues-school-officials/7383765001/”
2017–04–05 These high school journalists investigated a new principal’s credentials. Days later, she resigned.
“https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/04/05/these-high-school-journalists-investigated-a-new-principals-credentials-days-later-she-resigned/”

View Details

News Item – Students at Davisville Middle School in North Kingstown, RI set up a Discord subchannel to document inappropriate behavior by a teacher
North Kingstown School District is a hot mess
In April 2022, a series of lawsuits were filed against the District, high school administrators, and former boys’ basketball coach Aaron Thomas.
The suit alleges that Thomas ordered boys to strip naked and then used calipers on their thighs to allegedly measure body fat percentage
Complaints were made about Thomas’s behavior in 2017 and 2018, but the suit alleges that nothing was done
Players felt coerced to cooperate because they were competing for spots on the team and playing time
Defendants named in the lawsuit include:
- School committee members
- North Kingston finance director
- Former district superintendent Philip Auger
- Former HS principal and assistant superintendent Denise Mancieri
- Former teacher/coach Aaron Thomas
A second lawsuit alleges that the District was slow to take action against a different coach who stalked a young student for weeks
- Parents complained repeatedly to school officials but received little cooperation
- Eventually, the teacher was removed from the district but went on to work in two other districts and is still licensed in Rhode Island
Retired judge Susan McGuirl conducted an independent review of the District’s response to the Thomas complaints and concluded that the District and several of its employees had failed to take appropriate action
- When a school fails, they lost the trust of the community that they serve. Schools must recognize their failures and making the necessary changes to prevent something like this from happening again. That trust must be rebuilt, and that will take time, To rebuild this trust, they must be candid and transparent with the community they serve regarding the changes they are making and any future situations they may encounter.
Following the report, administrators Auger and Mancieri resigned. In addition, the U.S. Attorney for the state of Rhode Island opened an investigation
In July, six statements were filed with the U.S. Attorney regarding inappropriate behavior by two former North Kingstown coaches. They were accused of finding excuses to watch middle school girls in dance classes, inappropriate comments, encouraging sexualized dancing in class, and overly intimate spotting and assisting during gymnastics and exercise classes
- In his statement, a current Davis Middle School male student alluded to a “log regarding the comments and conduct that bothered us.”
The Boston Globe obtained a copy of the log and reported on it in early September 2022
- Several sixth grade boys were uncomfortable with how a teacher was treating their female classmates
- By seventh grade, they decided to take notes, and tried to tell adults (parents? other teachers? administrators?) what was going on. They did not feel anyone was taking them seriously.
- In January 2021, decided to electronically document different incidents
- They set up a Discord subchannel, named it after the teacher, and labeled it “Pedo Database.”
- The kids took notes in real time: “During COVID, as they attended class online, they’d open the Discord channel on a split-screen and document the teacher’s comments …”
- “Once they were back in class in person, the boys jotted down notes to add to the channel later…”
- “The “Pedo Database” is in the hands of the US attorney’s Office, the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families, the state Department of Education, and with lawyer Matthew Oliverio, who is conducting the school’s internal investigation.”
- Screenshot shows Discord conversation and the savvy with which the boys took notes: teacher comments, students at whom they were directed, date/time
- [Discord.png]
Takeaways
Decent kids; great of them to look out for their classmates
Adults should do a better job of listening to kids
Kids are increasingly sophisticated about the world and how technology can be used to interact with it
Kids are not necessarily fully cognizant of the harm that can be caused by casually using or misusing certain words
Kids are not trained investigators nor are they necessarily unbiased observers
Technology continues to shift traditional power dynamics; kids have access to endless communication and collaboration tools, many invisible to adults
Potential for abuse by students is not insignificant; false accusations are not uncommon
Resources
S.E.S.A.M.E. (Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct, and Exploitation)
“https://www.sesamenet.org/
”
2022–09–12 New England Teacher On Leave After 8 Middle School Boys Keep Log Of His Alleged Harassment

“https://dailyvoice.com/connecticut/hartford/schools/new-england-teacher-on-leave-after–8-middle-school-boys-keep-log-of-his-alleged-harassment/843375/”
2022–09–11 A Rhode Island teacher is on leave after a group of middle-school boys who thought he was a ‘creep’ used a ‘pedo database’ to keep track of how he interacted with girls in their class
“https://www.insider.com/teacher-on-leave-middle-school-boys-creep-pedo-database-girls–2022–9
” - #2022–09–09 The middle school boys thought their teacher was a ‘creep.’ So they tracked how he treated the girls.
“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/09/09/metro/middle-school-boys-thought-their-teacher-was-creep-so-they-tracked-how-he-treated-girls/”
2022–07–27 What you need to know about North Kingstown High School Coach Aaron Thomas and the ‘fat test’ issue
“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/11/30/metro/more-news-about-north-kingstown-high-school-coach-aaron-thomas/
” - #2022–07–08 New allegations of ‘creepy’ behavior leveled against two North Kingstown coaches
“https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/crime/2022/07/08/north-kingstown-school-coaches-accused-behavior-girls-uncomfortable/7831575001/”
2022–06–13 Naked fat testing of NK basketball players was ‘open secret’. What a blistering report says
“https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/06/13/aaron-thomas-scandal-judge-mcguirl-report-fat-testing-released-north-kingston-ri/7609644001/”
2022–06–09 Independent Review of the North Kingston Fat Testing Controversy
“https://www.northkingstown.org/DocumentCenter/View/5864/Judge-McGuirl-Report”
2022–06–01 A second former student has sued North Kingstown schools over a coach’s ‘fat tests’
“https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/06/01/north-kingston-ri-basketball-coach-school-district-sued-student-fat-test/7469424001/”
2022–05–16 Bill aims to criminalize sex between students and adults in ‘position of authority’
“https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/05/16/ri-bill-would-criminalize-sex-between-students-and-teachers-coaches/9793392002/”
2022–04–30 North Kingstown superintendent places middle-school teacher on leave, orders investigation after stalking allegations
“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/30/metro/north-kingstown-superintendent-places-middle-school-teacher-leave-orders-investigation-after-stalking-allegations/
” - #2022–04–28 Another North Kingstown coach accused of inappropriate behavior with underage student
“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/28/metro/another-north-kingstown-coach-accused-inappropriate-behavior-with-underage-student/
” - #2022–04–20 Former student sues North Kingstown officials over Aaron Thomas ‘fat-testing’ scandal
“https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/04/20/aaron-thomas-fat-testing-former-north-kingston-student-sues-school-officials/7383765001/”
2017–04–05 These high school journalists investigated a new principal’s credentials. Days later, she resigned.
“https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/04/05/these-high-school-journalists-investigated-a-new-principals-credentials-days-later-she-resigned/”

View Details

News Item – On August 29, 2022, the California Senate unanimously passed the Age-Appropriate Design Act. It previously received unanimous approval in the State Assembly

It is currently awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature
People expect him to sign it but it could anger tech companies, who might then be less inclined to support a Newsom run for president in 2028
Earlier this summer, the legislature rejected a proposed bill called the Social Media Platform Duty to Children Act
It “would have allowed the state attorney general and local prosecutors to sue social media companies for knowingly incorporating features into their products that addicted children.”
The California law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (see resources) has an excellent summary article regarding the Age-Appropriate Design Act
The California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act is modeled after the United Kingdom’s Age Appropriate Design Code, which went into effect in September 2021
If signed, it will be the first piece of U.S. legislation "that imposes a number of novel restrictions and data protection obligations on businesses providing services to users under the age of 18, including:
requirements to conduct a data protection impact assessment before any new services are offered,
configure all default privacy settings to a high level of privacy (unless there are compelling reasons to suggest it is otherwise in the best interests of children), and
provide an obvious signal to the child when they are being monitored or tracked by their parent, guardian or another consumer."
The bill prohibits businesses from:
profiling a child by default unless certain criteria are satisfied
using the personal information of any child in a way that is materially detrimental to their well-being and
using dark patterns to lead or encourage children to provide personal information beyond what is reasonably expected.
Motivations
Legislative and parental concern over impact of online services and products on children’s wellbeing
The desire to create safer online spaces for children
“The Act emphasizes that the best interests of the child should be taken into consideration by all businesses that develop and provide online services, products or features (“Services”) that children are likely to access and, in the event of a conflict between the businesses’ commercial interests and the best interests of children, the privacy and well-being of children must be prioritized.”
Key features of the Act:
- It’s very broad in its application. Applies to online products and services “(i) specifically directed at children and (ii) that are “likely to be accessed” by children.”
- Prior to any new Services being offered to the public which are likely to be accessed by children, the Act requires that the business complete a Data Protection Impact Assessment and maintain documentation of this assessment for as long as the Services are likely to be accessed by children.
- Default privacy settings must be high
- Business must provide clear, age-appropriate privacy information
- There must be an “obvious sign” that a business or service is tracking a child’s activity or geolocation
- Businesses are required to provide prominent and effective tools “to help children exercise their rights and report concerns.”
- Restrictions on the use of collected data, including:
- Cannot be used in any way that is “materially detrimental” to a child’s mental or physical health
- Profiling only under limited circumstances
- No use of “dark patterns,” i.e., design choices that trick a user into performing some unintended behavior
- Businesses are required to estimate the age of child users "with a ‘reasonable’ level of certainty
- The Act establishes the California Children’s Data Protection Working Group, aimed at developing best practices
- Penalties
- Negligent violations can result in civil penalties of up to $2,500 per affected child
- Penalties for Intentional violations are $7,500 per affected child
- Businesses in substantial compliance otherwise have 90 days to cure
- No private right of action
National Relevance
- As with so many other things, California is so large that the states rules and regulations have ripple effects around the country
Resources
2022–09–06 California Senate Approves Landmark California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act

“https://www.akingump.com/en/news-insights/california-senate-approves-landmark-california-age-appropriate-design-code-act.html”
2022–09–06 California lawmakers approve groundbreaking internet privacy law for kids
“https://www.ijpr.org/media-society/2022–09–06/california-lawmakers-approve-groundbreaking-internet-privacy-law-for-kids”
2022–09–01 Twit.tv Episode with Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, Stacey Higginbotham, and Ant Pruitt, with guest Mike Masnick
“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvpjSoFiu-g”
2022–08–25 Op-Ed: Regulate social media? California still has a plan for that
“https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022–08–25/social-media-kids-safety-california”
2021–06–30 The [UK] Age Appropriate Design Code: A quick, practical guide for games businesses
“https://www.gamesindustry.biz/the-age-appropriate-design-code-a-quick-practical-guide-for-games-businesses”
[n.d.] Introduction to the [UK] Age appropriate design code
“https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/ico-codes-of-practice/age-appropriate-design-code/”

View Details

News Item – On August 29, 2022, the California Senate unanimously passed the Age-Appropriate Design Act. It previously received unanimous approval in the State Assembly

It is currently awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature
People expect him to sign it but it could anger tech companies, who might then be less inclined to support a Newsom run for president in 2028
Earlier this summer, the legislature rejected a proposed bill called the Social Media Platform Duty to Children Act
It “would have allowed the state attorney general and local prosecutors to sue social media companies for knowingly incorporating features into their products that addicted children.”
The California law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (see resources) has an excellent summary article regarding the Age-Appropriate Design Act
The California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act is modeled after the United Kingdom’s Age Appropriate Design Code, which went into effect in September 2021
If signed, it will be the first piece of U.S. legislation "that imposes a number of novel restrictions and data protection obligations on businesses providing services to users under the age of 18, including:
requirements to conduct a data protection impact assessment before any new services are offered,
configure all default privacy settings to a high level of privacy (unless there are compelling reasons to suggest it is otherwise in the best interests of children), and
provide an obvious signal to the child when they are being monitored or tracked by their parent, guardian or another consumer."
The bill prohibits businesses from:
profiling a child by default unless certain criteria are satisfied
using the personal information of any child in a way that is materially detrimental to their well-being and
using dark patterns to lead or encourage children to provide personal information beyond what is reasonably expected.
Motivations
Legislative and parental concern over impact of online services and products on children’s wellbeing
The desire to create safer online spaces for children
“The Act emphasizes that the best interests of the child should be taken into consideration by all businesses that develop and provide online services, products or features (“Services”) that children are likely to access and, in the event of a conflict between the businesses’ commercial interests and the best interests of children, the privacy and well-being of children must be prioritized.”
Key features of the Act:
- It’s very broad in its application. Applies to online products and services “(i) specifically directed at children and (ii) that are “likely to be accessed” by children.”
- Prior to any new Services being offered to the public which are likely to be accessed by children, the Act requires that the business complete a Data Protection Impact Assessment and maintain documentation of this assessment for as long as the Services are likely to be accessed by children.
- Default privacy settings must be high
- Business must provide clear, age-appropriate privacy information
- There must be an “obvious sign” that a business or service is tracking a child’s activity or geolocation
- Businesses are required to provide prominent and effective tools “to help children exercise their rights and report concerns.”
- Restrictions on the use of collected data, including:
- Cannot be used in any way that is “materially detrimental” to a child’s mental or physical health
- Profiling only under limited circumstances
- No use of “dark patterns,” i.e., design choices that trick a user into performing some unintended behavior
- Businesses are required to estimate the age of child users "with a ‘reasonable’ level of certainty
- The Act establishes the California Children’s Data Protection Working Group, aimed at developing best practices
- Penalties
- Negligent violations can result in civil penalties of up to $2,500 per affected child
- Penalties for Intentional violations are $7,500 per affected child
- Businesses in substantial compliance otherwise have 90 days to cure
- No private right of action
National Relevance
- As with so many other things, California is so large that the states rules and regulations have ripple effects around the country
Resources
2022–09–06 California Senate Approves Landmark California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act

“https://www.akingump.com/en/news-insights/california-senate-approves-landmark-california-age-appropriate-design-code-act.html”
2022–09–06 California lawmakers approve groundbreaking internet privacy law for kids
“https://www.ijpr.org/media-society/2022–09–06/california-lawmakers-approve-groundbreaking-internet-privacy-law-for-kids”
2022–09–01 Twit.tv Episode with Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, Stacey Higginbotham, and Ant Pruitt, with guest Mike Masnick
“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvpjSoFiu-g”
2022–08–25 Op-Ed: Regulate social media? California still has a plan for that
“https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022–08–25/social-media-kids-safety-california”
2021–06–30 The [UK] Age Appropriate Design Code: A quick, practical guide for games businesses
“https://www.gamesindustry.biz/the-age-appropriate-design-code-a-quick-practical-guide-for-games-businesses”
[n.d.] Introduction to the [UK] Age appropriate design code
“https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/ico-codes-of-practice/age-appropriate-design-code/”

View Details

News Item – On August 29, 2022, the California Senate unanimously passed the Age-Appropriate Design Act. It previously received unanimous approval in the State Assembly

It is currently awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature
People expect him to sign it but it could anger tech companies, who might then be less inclined to support a Newsom run for president in 2028
Earlier this summer, the legislature rejected a proposed bill called the Social Media Platform Duty to Children Act
It “would have allowed the state attorney general and local prosecutors to sue social media companies for knowingly incorporating features into their products that addicted children.”
The California law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (see resources) has an excellent summary article regarding the Age-Appropriate Design Act
The California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act is modeled after the United Kingdom’s Age Appropriate Design Code, which went into effect in September 2021
If signed, it will be the first piece of U.S. legislation "that imposes a number of novel restrictions and data protection obligations on businesses providing services to users under the age of 18, including:
requirements to conduct a data protection impact assessment before any new services are offered,
configure all default privacy settings to a high level of privacy (unless there are compelling reasons to suggest it is otherwise in the best interests of children), and
provide an obvious signal to the child when they are being monitored or tracked by their parent, guardian or another consumer."
The bill prohibits businesses from:
profiling a child by default unless certain criteria are satisfied
using the personal information of any child in a way that is materially detrimental to their well-being and
using dark patterns to lead or encourage children to provide personal information beyond what is reasonably expected.
Motivations
Legislative and parental concern over impact of online services and products on children’s wellbeing
The desire to create safer online spaces for children
“The Act emphasizes that the best interests of the child should be taken into consideration by all businesses that develop and provide online services, products or features (“Services”) that children are likely to access and, in the event of a conflict between the businesses’ commercial interests and the best interests of children, the privacy and well-being of children must be prioritized.”
Key features of the Act:
- It’s very broad in its application. Applies to online products and services “(i) specifically directed at children and (ii) that are “likely to be accessed” by children.”
- Prior to any new Services being offered to the public which are likely to be accessed by children, the Act requires that the business complete a Data Protection Impact Assessment and maintain documentation of this assessment for as long as the Services are likely to be accessed by children.
- Default privacy settings must be high
- Business must provide clear, age-appropriate privacy information
- There must be an “obvious sign” that a business or service is tracking a child’s activity or geolocation
- Businesses are required to provide prominent and effective tools “to help children exercise their rights and report concerns.”
- Restrictions on the use of collected data, including:
- Cannot be used in any way that is “materially detrimental” to a child’s mental or physical health
- Profiling only under limited circumstances
- No use of “dark patterns,” i.e., design choices that trick a user into performing some unintended behavior
- Businesses are required to estimate the age of child users "with a ‘reasonable’ level of certainty
- The Act establishes the California Children’s Data Protection Working Group, aimed at developing best practices
- Penalties
- Negligent violations can result in civil penalties of up to $2,500 per affected child
- Penalties for Intentional violations are $7,500 per affected child
- Businesses in substantial compliance otherwise have 90 days to cure
- No private right of action
National Relevance
- As with so many other things, California is so large that the states rules and regulations have ripple effects around the country
Resources
2022–09–06 California Senate Approves Landmark California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act

“https://www.akingump.com/en/news-insights/california-senate-approves-landmark-california-age-appropriate-design-code-act.html”
2022–09–06 California lawmakers approve groundbreaking internet privacy law for kids
“https://www.ijpr.org/media-society/2022–09–06/california-lawmakers-approve-groundbreaking-internet-privacy-law-for-kids”
2022–09–01 Twit.tv Episode with Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, Stacey Higginbotham, and Ant Pruitt, with guest Mike Masnick
“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvpjSoFiu-g”
2022–08–25 Op-Ed: Regulate social media? California still has a plan for that
“https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022–08–25/social-media-kids-safety-california”
2021–06–30 The [UK] Age Appropriate Design Code: A quick, practical guide for games businesses
“https://www.gamesindustry.biz/the-age-appropriate-design-code-a-quick-practical-guide-for-games-businesses”
[n.d.] Introduction to the [UK] Age appropriate design code
“https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/ico-codes-of-practice/age-appropriate-design-code/”

View Details

News Item – On August 29, 2022, the California Senate unanimously passed the Age-Appropriate Design Act. It previously received unanimous approval in the State Assembly

It is currently awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature
People expect him to sign it but it could anger tech companies, who might then be less inclined to support a Newsom run for president in 2028
Earlier this summer, the legislature rejected a proposed bill called the Social Media Platform Duty to Children Act
It “would have allowed the state attorney general and local prosecutors to sue social media companies for knowingly incorporating features into their products that addicted children.”
The California law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (see resources) has an excellent summary article regarding the Age-Appropriate Design Act
The California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act is modeled after the United Kingdom’s Age Appropriate Design Code, which went into effect in September 2021
If signed, it will be the first piece of U.S. legislation "that imposes a number of novel restrictions and data protection obligations on businesses providing services to users under the age of 18, including:
requirements to conduct a data protection impact assessment before any new services are offered,
configure all default privacy settings to a high level of privacy (unless there are compelling reasons to suggest it is otherwise in the best interests of children), and
provide an obvious signal to the child when they are being monitored or tracked by their parent, guardian or another consumer."
The bill prohibits businesses from:
profiling a child by default unless certain criteria are satisfied
using the personal information of any child in a way that is materially detrimental to their well-being and
using dark patterns to lead or encourage children to provide personal information beyond what is reasonably expected.
Motivations
Legislative and parental concern over impact of online services and products on children’s wellbeing
The desire to create safer online spaces for children
“The Act emphasizes that the best interests of the child should be taken into consideration by all businesses that develop and provide online services, products or features (“Services”) that children are likely to access and, in the event of a conflict between the businesses’ commercial interests and the best interests of children, the privacy and well-being of children must be prioritized.”
Key features of the Act:
- It’s very broad in its application. Applies to online products and services “(i) specifically directed at children and (ii) that are “likely to be accessed” by children.”
- Prior to any new Services being offered to the public which are likely to be accessed by children, the Act requires that the business complete a Data Protection Impact Assessment and maintain documentation of this assessment for as long as the Services are likely to be accessed by children.
- Default privacy settings must be high
- Business must provide clear, age-appropriate privacy information
- There must be an “obvious sign” that a business or service is tracking a child’s activity or geolocation
- Businesses are required to provide prominent and effective tools “to help children exercise their rights and report concerns.”
- Restrictions on the use of collected data, including:
- Cannot be used in any way that is “materially detrimental” to a child’s mental or physical health
- Profiling only under limited circumstances
- No use of “dark patterns,” i.e., design choices that trick a user into performing some unintended behavior
- Businesses are required to estimate the age of child users "with a ‘reasonable’ level of certainty
- The Act establishes the California Children’s Data Protection Working Group, aimed at developing best practices
- Penalties
- Negligent violations can result in civil penalties of up to $2,500 per affected child
- Penalties for Intentional violations are $7,500 per affected child
- Businesses in substantial compliance otherwise have 90 days to cure
- No private right of action
National Relevance
- As with so many other things, California is so large that the states rules and regulations have ripple effects around the country
Resources
2022–09–06 California Senate Approves Landmark California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act

“https://www.akingump.com/en/news-insights/california-senate-approves-landmark-california-age-appropriate-design-code-act.html”
2022–09–06 California lawmakers approve groundbreaking internet privacy law for kids
“https://www.ijpr.org/media-society/2022–09–06/california-lawmakers-approve-groundbreaking-internet-privacy-law-for-kids”
2022–09–01 Twit.tv Episode with Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, Stacey Higginbotham, and Ant Pruitt, with guest Mike Masnick
“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvpjSoFiu-g”
2022–08–25 Op-Ed: Regulate social media? California still has a plan for that
“https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022–08–25/social-media-kids-safety-california”
2021–06–30 The [UK] Age Appropriate Design Code: A quick, practical guide for games businesses
“https://www.gamesindustry.biz/the-age-appropriate-design-code-a-quick-practical-guide-for-games-businesses”
[n.d.] Introduction to the [UK] Age appropriate design code
“https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/ico-codes-of-practice/age-appropriate-design-code/”

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In this episode we talk with Scott Rabinowitz about the ethical implications of advertising to GenZ.

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In this episode we talk with Scott Rabinowitz about the ethical implications of advertising to GenZ.

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News Item – The Boston Globe Publishes an Editorial Urging Schools to Prohibit Student Phone Use at School
“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/22/opinion/sorry-kids-no-more-phones-school/”
Overarching Questions / Issues
This is a global issue
2022/2023 freshman are the iGen – born after introduction of iPhone in 2007 (!)
Is this part of a move to de-emphasize screens in education generally?
Will strict private schools scare away tech-savvy students?
Justifications
Distraction / Loss of Focus
- On average, kids unlock their phones 50 times each day
Impact on Grades
- Many educators report improved performance when access to devices is restricted
Post-Pandemic Need for Non-Phone Socialization
- Kids who engage more face-to-face are generally happier
Less spontaneity and real-world creativity
Teaching self-control should be part of school’s social-emotional curriculum
“I think great ideas come from boredom.” – John Kalapos, Buxton history teacher and tech committee chair
Methods
Complete on-campus bans – no smartphones at all
Partial bans – students allowed to use phones between classes and at lunch
Lockbags / Pouches
- In some schools, teachers and administrators have a tool for unlocking containers
- Other schools have unlocking magnets at each exit; kids tap the bag on the magnet as they leave
- Partnership with Yondr [ https://www.overyondr.com/ ]
- Originally founded in 2014 to limit use of phones in music venues
Cabinets (“Cellphone Hotels”) / Lockers / Hanging Shoe Organizers
Some schools permit “dumb” phones and the use of laptops to access the internet
- One private school is promoting the Light Phone [ https://www.thelightphone.com/ ]
Teachers encouraged to model good behavior by observing school bans
Objections and Concerns
Parents want to be able to contact their children
- In 2015, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio abandoned a policy against phones in schools
Kids are NOT enthusiastic
- Protests and fire alarms pulled at Torrington High School in Feb. 2022
Kids ignore school policies (as many as 2/3 disregard bans, according to a national survey)
Efforts to police bans may also be damaging to learning and student mental health
For some students, a phone may be their only technology
Concerns over security of devices during the day
Some teachers and school board members want to have schools incorporate phones (and especially social media) into curricula
Schools need to upgrade phone systems to make it possible for parents to reach children
Schools need a plan for digital withdrawal; phones, apps, and social media designed to be addictive
American Academy of Pediatrics dropped screen time limits for kids 5 and older because the impact of screen time varied based on the personality and circumstances of each kid
Resources
2022–08–22 Sorry, kids, no more phones in school

“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/22/opinion/sorry-kids-no-more-phones-school/”
2022–08–21 Boston high school teacher wants city to implement smartphone ban
“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/21/opinion/boston-high-school-teacher-wants-city-implement-smartphone-ban/”
2022–08–18 “They don’t interact with each other.” The growing movement to ban phones in high schools.
“https://www.mamamia.com.au/mobile-phone-ban-australia/”
2022–08–15 Utah middle school bans phones from entire school day
“https://kslnewsradio.com/1973508/utah-middle-school-bans-phones-from-entire-school-day/”
2022–08–14 High school phone ban ‘more urgent than ever’ amid pressure on teens
“https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/high-school-phone-ban-more-urgent-than-ever-amid-pressure-on-teens–20220809-p5b8dp.html”
2022–08–13 Some Mass. high schools adopt strict cellphone-free policies this school year
“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/13/metro/mass-high-schools-adopt-strict-cellphone-free-policies-this-school-year/
” - #2022–07–16 A boarding school in the Berkshires is banning smartphones for students and teachers
“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/16/business/boarding-school-berkshires-is-banning-smartphones-students-teachers/
” - #2022–05–09 Chicopee High principal says cell phone locking has resulted in better student performance
“https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/05/chicopee-high-principal-says-cell-phone-locking-has-resulted-in-better-student-performance.html”
2022–02–25 Police respond as high school students protest phone policy
“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/02/25/metro/police-respond-high-school-students-protest-phone-policy/
” - #2018–06–01 How one local high school teacher got his students to actually put away their phones
“https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2018/06/01/students-check-their-devices-cellphone-hotel/LuoA4LUJ807R0t5BsVnKTL/story.html
”

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- News Item -- On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. - The Court expressly overruled Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992) - Each state is now able to adopt its own laws regarding the practice of abortion - Overview - An important reminder: Roe was a privacy case - The Court was trying to balance three separate constitutional principles - A woman's right to privacy - The State's interest in protecting the health of a pregnant person - The State's interest in protecting the life of a viable fetus - Roe was an extension of two earlier privacy cases: Griswold v. Connecticut (1965), which established a federal "right to privacy" with respect to a married woman's ability to obtain contraceptives from her doctor, and Eisenstadt v. Baird (1972), which extended that same right to unmarried women. - How Might Cybertraps Arise? - Suspicious Circumstances - It is often difficult to tell the different between a spontaneous miscarriage and a self-medicated abortion - Approximately 30% of all pregnancies end in a spontaneous miscarriage - Criminal Investigations - Abortion is now banned in six states - Alabama - Arkansas - Mississippi - Missouri - Oklahoma - South Dakota - It is a crime to perform abortions and in most states, to "aid and abet" someone having an abortion - The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) does not prevent a doctor or medical organization reporting personal health data if they think a crime has been committed - Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) is very similar in this regard. - If someone reports that an abortion has occurred, local law enforcement or a local prosecutor could initiate a criminal investigation - Law enforcement can: - subpoena data from online account - conduct forensic exams of digital equipment - Civil litigation - A handful of states, led by Texas, have created systems that deputize enforcement to private citizens - Under that scheme, an individual located anywhere in the country can file a lawsuit alleging that another person performed an illegal abortion or aided and abetted a person in obtaining one - If the lawsuit is successful (by "a preponderance of the evidence"), the defendant can be ordered to pay a minimum of $10,000 as well as costs and attorneys fees - All of the usual civil litigation rules apply, including discovery of relevant evidence (apps, browser history, social media, cell phone records, etc.) - Risks for Educators - Social media posts that are contrary to state law - Requests for advice from students - What Data Is Collected? - Cybertraps for Expecting Moms & Dads - Erratic protection of personal data across the country - Communications - Email - Messaging - Health Care Data - Health Care Providers - Employers - Financial Records - Bank accounts - Credit cards - Online payment apps (Paypal, Stripe, etc.) - Browsers and Search Engines - Social Media - Selfie-incrimination - Tagging - Apps - Fertility - Health, General - Smartwatches - Can pinpoint the start of pregnancy from biometric information - Geolocation - Cellphone tower pings - Apps - Location tracking (Foursquare) - Geo-announcements (Twitter) - Location tracking by Google Maps, Waze, or iMaps - Governmental Tracking Tools - License plate readers - Biometrics - Other Looming Constitutional Issues - The Right to Travel - Some states are considering laws that would prohibit their citizens from traveling out-of-state for abortions - Criminal enforcement would be difficult (although surveillance tools are growing increasingly powerful) - Civil enforcement presents many fewer constitutional questions - Free Speech/Freedom of the Press - Some state legislators have also expressed interest in trying to prohibit web sites from publishing certain information about abortion (self-medication, availability of out-of-state services, etc.) within their states - As a practical matter, it's challenging to block such content (VPNs, TOR browers, etc.) - Such efforts would call into question the fundamental structure of the internet - Resources - #2022-07-20 Data privacy, abortion limits set to collide post-Roe [https://rollcall.com/2022/07/20/data-privacy-abortion-limits-set-to-collide-post-roe/](https://rollcall.com/2022/07/20/data-privacy-abortion-limits-set-to-collide-post-roe/) - #2022-07-13 In a Post-Roe World, the Future of Digital Privacy Looks Even Grimmer [https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/13/technology/personaltech/abortion-privacy-roe-surveillance.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/13/technology/personaltech/abortion-privacy-roe-surveillance.html) - #2022-07-08 How to protect your privacy in a post-Roe America [https://mashable.com/article/how-to-protect-online-privacy-post-roe-abortion](https://mashable.com/article/how-to-protect-online-privacy-post-roe-abortion) - #2022-07-08 Protecting digital privacy post-Roe [https://whyy.org/episodes/protecting-digital-privacy-post-roe/](https://whyy.org/episodes/protecting-digital-privacy-post-roe/) - #2022-07-06 How online searches and texts can put you at risk in a post-Roe world, and how to protect yourself - #2022-07-02 Data privacy concerns make the post-Roe era uncharted territory [https://www.npr.org/2022/07/02/1109565803/data-privacy-abortion-roe-apps](https://www.npr.org/2022/07/02/1109565803/data-privacy-abortion-roe-apps) - #2022-06-30 Deleting Your Period Tracker Won’t Protect You [https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/30/technology/period-tracker-privacy-abortion.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/30/technology/period-tracker-privacy-abortion.html) - #2022-06-29 The future of privacy rights in a post-Roe world [https://www.axios.com/2022/06/29/privacy-right-roe-v-wade-dobbs-v-jackson-online-data](https://www.axios.com/2022/06/29/privacy-right-roe-v-wade-dobbs-v-jackson-online-data) - #2022-06-28 Why some fear that big tech data could become a tool for abortion surveillance [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/why-some-fear-that-big-tech-data-could-become-a-tool-for-abortion-surveillance](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/why-some-fear-that-big-tech-data-could-become-a-tool-for-abortion-surveillance) - #2022-06-27 The Biggest Privacy Risks in Post-Roe America [https://www.theverge.com/23185081/abortion-data-privacy-roe-v-wade-dobbs-surveillance-period-tracking](https://www.theverge.com/23185081/abortion-data-privacy-roe-v-wade-dobbs-surveillance-period-tracking) - #2022-06-24 What police could find out about your illegal abortion [https://www.vox.com/recode/23059057/privacy-abortion-phone-data-roe](https://www.vox.com/recode/23059057/privacy-abortion-phone-data-roe)

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Dr. Axton Betz-Hamilton was a victim of identity theft and wrote a book about the experience called “The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity.”

Dr. Betz-Hamilton is now a professor at South Dakota State University specializing in identity theft.

Isolated and moved around because of identity theft of her parents
Axton was over half a million dollars in debt.
Only found out the identity of the thief after her mom died.
Parents can freeze credit reports
Parents should check all three credit reports for each child.
Experian
Transunion
Equifax
If you’ve been a victim of Identity theft:
File a police report
Freeze your credit
Get a counselor.

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Show notes * The Saga of Ashley Payne (2011) * After her first year of teaching, Payne went on a trip to Europe. When she returned, she created a Facebook album with several hundred vacation photos. A handful showed her enjoying a drink or two. * The photo album was marked “private,” but could still be viewed by her Facebook “friends” (which did not include any students) * She also mentioned on Facebook that she was heading out to play a game called “Crazy Bitch Bingo” at a local club * One her vacation photos and the club post were printed out and sent anonymously to Payne’s principal * On February 6, 2011, I appeared on CBS News “Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood” to discuss internet privacy; Ashley Payne was also interviewed.
“https://search.alexanderstreet.com/preview/work/bibliographic_entity%7Cvideo_work%7C3165557” * The Questions * Can educators post photos of themselves on vacation on social media? + Yes, but … + Teachers are generally (and sometimes legally, as in Canada) held to a higher standard of conduct online + Persistent double standard – female teachers more closely scrutinized and more harshly judged + “Personal time” is often not “private” * Challenging Definitions + “racy photos” + “scantily clad” + “indecent” + “risque” * Legal Issues + First Amendment + Decency / Obscenity + District / School Policies * What are the potential risks? + Aggressive searches by curious students + Loss of privacy (i.e., control over what is shared) + Oversharing by friends or family + Posts by second employers (modeling agencies, fishing charters) + Unflattering posts by a friend or a complete stranger + Public criticism / parental trolling + Harassment + Adverse job actions + Theft * What can teachers do to protect themselves? + Clean up social media channels before applying for jobs + Review privacy settings + Reflect on the true meaning of “friendship” + Create a “Custom List” of Facebook or Instagram friends + Share albums directly with trusted friends in Google Photos or Apple iCloud + Selfie-searches + Third-party scrubbers (but beware of scams) + Hashtag Advocacy + Russian teachers protested the firing of a Siberian teacher after she shared a photo of herself in a bikini, getting ready for “cold swimming” + Legal counsel for adverse labor actions * Resources

2022–04–19 What the Tech: Facebook vacation photos
“https://www.texomashomepage.com/what-the-tech/what-the-tech-facebook-vacation-photos/”
2021–03–09 L.A. Teachers Union Facebook Group Warns Educators Not to Post Vacations Online Due to Bad Optics
“https://www.newsweek.com/l-teachers-union-facebook-group-warns-educators-not-post-vacations-online-due-bad-optics–1574828”
2019–04–02 Teachers turn on bikini power online to support colleague
“https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/6/125367/Teachers-turn-on-bikini-power-online-to-support-colleague”
2018–06–14 Teacher are humans, too! Siberian tutors in bikini protest flashmob to support a colleague
“https://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/teacher-are-humans-too-siberian-tutors-in-bikini-protest-flashmob-to-support-a-colleague/”
2018–06–10 Teacher fired in Omsk after posing in swimsuit as plus size model
“https://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/teacher-fired-in-omsk-after-posing-in-swimsuit-as-plus-size-model/”
2016–11–28 Should teachers be banned from posting ‘scantily clad’ photos? Ottawa board seems to think so
“https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/should-teachers-be-banned-from-posting-beach-photos-on-facebook-ottawa-board-seems-to-think-so”
2016–11–28 Ottawa’s Public School Board Wants to Ban Teachers From Posting Beach Photos
“https://www.vice.com/en/article/yvejwm/ottawas-public-school-board-wants-to-ban-teachers-from-posting-beach-photos”
2016–04–10 Primary school teacher is sacked after video of her twerking in a bikini in Mexico sweeps the web and is spotted by outraged parents
“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–3532399/Primary-school-teacher-sacked-video-twerking-bikini-Mexico-sweeps-web-spotted-outraged-parents.html”
2016–11–27 Teachers on Facebook: Is posting that beach bikini shot going too far?
“https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/teachers-on-facebook-is-posting-that-beach-bikini-shot-going-too-far”
2015–10–22 Utah teacher wins battle with school over her ‘inappropriate’ Instagram account
“https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/utah-teacher-wins-battle-school-instagram-account-article–1.2407944”
2015–02–10 Teachers tripped up by Facebook rants and bikini pics
“https://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/feb/10/teachers-tripped-up-by-facebook-rants-and-bikini-pics ”
2013–11–09 Too Sexy to Teach! H.S. Teacher Fired Over Bikini Pics
“https://cw39.com/cw39/online-dish-too-sexy-to-teach-h-s-teacher-fired-over-bikini-pics/”
2013–11–05 Idaho high school basketball coach Laraine Cook fired after posting Facebook photo of boyfriend grabbing breast
“https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/high-school/idaho-hs-coach-canned-breast-grabbing-facebook-photo-boyfriend-escapes-firing-article–1.1507889”
2012–04–10 Should Teachers Be Disciplined For Online Lives?
“https://www.npr.org/2012/04/10/150361223/should-teachers-be-disciplined-for-online-lives”
2011–10–11 Judge Rules Against Teacher Who Says She Was Fired Over Facebook Photos
“https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/judge_rules_against_teacher_who_says_she_was_fired_over_facebook_photos”
2011–02–08 Teacher Fired for Drinking on Facebook Isn’t the Real Problem
“https://cafemom.com/parenting/115957-teacher_fired_for_drinking_on”
2011–02–06 Did the Internet Kill Privacy?
“https://www.cbsnews.com/news/did-the-internet-kill-privacy/”
2008–04–30 Teacher Moonlighting as Bikini Mate Cut Loose
“https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=4756166&page=1”

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Show notes - The Uvalde School Shooting -- A Trove of Social Media Content - Gunman posted ominous photos of rifles and other messages on Instagram - He privately messaged a young woman that he planned to attack an elementary school - He used Yubo to threaten school shootings and show off a rifle - Context - Social media is one element of a complex problem - Uvalde already used security tech, including: - Raptor Technologies, for monitoring visitors - Social Sentinel, for identifying social media threats - Challenges posed by new, less-easily monitored online channels - Increased use of end-to-end encryption even on more well-established sites, like WhatsApp, Apple Messenger, Signal, etc. Facebook wants to make E2E encryption the default for Instagram and Facebook Messenger as well. Law enforcement is opposed. - FaceTime - Yubo - Snapchat - Instagram direct messaging - Discord - Twitch - "They are fundamentally designed to keep communications private, presenting different challenges than Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, where violent screeds and videos have been algorithmically amplified to millions of viewers." - "The way that generation uses social media more generally could render years of work to spot and identify public signs of upcoming violence obsolete, social media experts warn." - Responses - Culture of cybersafety - Department of Justice School Violence Prevention Program may provide funding [https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-invests-more-87-million-grants-address-school-violence](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-invests-more-87-million-grants-address-school-violence) - Increased interest in social media surveillance products - No solid evidence that they work - May have built-in racial biases in algorithms - Helps to create a culture of surveillance - Conditions children that surveillance is the norm - Creates conditions (cameras, metal detectors, full-time police presence) that can make school feel like a prison - Surveillance technology more commonly used to punish minor infractions - Use of AI and algorithm-driven products - Facial recognition - Gun detection systems (scans of security camera footage) - Pandemic has driven surveillance in effort to keep kids masked and socially-distanced - Researchers argue that surveillance measures lower student performance - Resources - Dr. Glenn Lipson - #2022-06-02 The problem with schools turning to surveillance after mass shootings [https://www.vox.com/recode/23150863/school-surveillance-mass-shooting-texas-uvalde](https://www.vox.com/recode/23150863/school-surveillance-mass-shooting-texas-uvalde) - #2022-05-28 Chilling new footage shows Texas gunman Salvador Ramos during shirtless video call with 15-year-old German girl on social media app Yubo - days before he told her about his school massacre plans [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10862893/Uvalde-gunman-threatened-rapes-school-shootings-social-media-app-Yubo-weeks-massacre.html](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10862893/Uvalde-gunman-threatened-rapes-school-shootings-social-media-app-Yubo-weeks-massacre.html) - #2022-05-28 Texas gunman had threatened school shootings on social media, reports say [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/may/28/texas-gunman-threats-behavior](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/may/28/texas-gunman-threats-behavior) - #2022-05-27 The Gunman in Uvalde Left Multiple Hints Before His Attack Began [https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/27/us/uvalde-gunman-social-media.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/27/us/uvalde-gunman-social-media.html) - #2022-05-26 As young gunmen turn toward new social networks, old safeguards fail [https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/05/26/shooters-social-media/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/05/26/shooters-social-media/) - #2022-05-22 NYC Mayor Eric Adams slams social media after Texas school shooting [https://nypost.com/2022/05/25/eric-adams-slams-social-media-after-texas-school-shooting/](https://nypost.com/2022/05/25/eric-adams-slams-social-media-after-texas-school-shooting/) SEO Keyword Question someone would ask where this would be the answer Blog Post (<1000 words) Email Video Twitter Thread

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Show notes * whenyouwonder.org * 1–4–3 day in PA - 143rd day in the year. * Get their book “When You Wonder, You’re Learning” * Origin story - Gregg and philanthropy Grable Foundation * Translating learning from the learning sciences * sound like script writers in Fred Rogers. * Remake learning network - Learning landscape. * Rogers took the tech of his day and asked how can I make this good * Fred Rogers wanted to use the technology of his day to minister to kids. * Eric Erickson - identity development * How can people do things like what Fred was doing in his time? * How do I make what is attractive to kids good and constructive? * So many people who can and should carry the work of Fred forward. We’ve got to lift those examples up. * Go to church, go to a concert, go to a sporting event, go to school * The agony of creation. * Everything Fred was doing clearly had a purpose. * Fred bridged theory and practice in a powerful way. * Curiosity, collaboration, creativity * Parables of Peanuts * Whole child plus learning sciences equals = The Fred Method

When You Wonder, You're Learning: Mister Rogers' Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids

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Show notes Dr. Charol Shakeshaft is a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University who studies educator sex abuse towards students prevalence and prevention.

Subscribe to the Cybertraps Newsletter * How much abuse of kids is happening and has it gotten better? * Why has there been so much scandal around the catholic church and so little around * The power of grooming students, colleagues, parents, etc. * Uninterrupted and unobserved time with students. * Much still occurs in the school fact to face. * We don’t know how much this is happening, nor do we know whether it is increasing or decreasing. * UAWW data surprisingly showed that students had been touched inappropriately by adults, when the study was looking for peer interactions. * 10% of kids * People don’t want to fund research in this area. * Why the discrepancy between the catholic church and schools doing this. * Predominant genders involved * Districts are very closed when these things happen and don’t allow much to be said. * Organizational decisions that get made about * Structural issue rather than an individual issue. * Challenges of a school system: not judging a colleague, closed rooms, nobody * Did you see the signs? Why didn’t you say anything? * The culture is such that they don’t feel safe saying something. * SESAME Organization * 133 superintendents - Too much passing the trash. We took care of the problem so “our” kids would be safe. * By not saying anything, we are giving people permission to expand a predicliction * Schools don’t just allow this to happen, schools help people find this in themselves. * “It must be OK” if adults aren’t calling it out. * Pay attention to how a student reports. Kids don’t say it straight up. * Think of addictions, and what sets people up for doing that addiction. * Start out being lonely and then it leads to another thing. * Prevention - look at the organization - Policies (do they follow them?), training (not just mandatory reporting), hiring practices (not calling references), * Presidium training

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Show notes * News Item * Screen Time Went Up During the Pandemic * “The latest report from Common Sense Media confirms what many of us know intuitively: Entertainment media use grew faster in the last two years than it did in the four years before the pandemic. While many of us didn’t think it was possible to cram more entertainment screen time into our waking hours, we somehow managed to do so in 2021.” * Overview * What Is Screen Time? * We’ve Been Worried about It Since the Introduction of TV * Computers Accelerated the Issue (1980s and 1990s) * Gaming Devices, Cellphones, and Smartphones Put It All on Steroids * And Then There Was a Pandemic … * What Impact Has All of This Had on Your Screen Time? * Latest Studies * Common Sense Media Report + Tweens spend an average of 5.5 hours on entertainment media + Teens spend over 8 hours + Social media users are getting younger: 40% of children between 8 and 12 are on social media platforms + Some significant variations based on gender, race, and family income + Lower-income tweens spend as much as 3 hours more each day on entertainment media * Smartphone Usage in 2021 + 37% of 11-year-olds use a smartphone + 91% of 14-year-olds + You can get a Pinwheel phone for your child to help with screentime management * Screen Time Recommendations by The American Academy of Pediatrics * Infants/toddlers, ages 0–2 years: No screen time exposure for infants and toddlers. The only exception being connecting with loved ones on a screen. * Children ages 2–5 years: Up to one hour per day of high-quality screen time. * Do not use technology as a babysitter * In 2016, researchers found that babies (0–2 years) spend 42 minutes per day on screens, and children (3–4 years) spend two hours 40 minutes per day on screens. * Most parents teach their child how to use a touchscreen by age two. * Screen time usage per day was too high before the pandemic. It is even higher, now. * Positive Benefits of Non-Screen Play * Physical development * Brain development * Language development * Tactile learning * Critical-thinking skills * Development of imagination * Cooperation and conflict resolution * Consequences * Physical + Posture and Bone Development + Eyesight + Hearing * Psychological + Disconnection + Body image + Bullying + Anger and Hostility + Radicalization + Suicidal ideation * Responses and Solutions * Above all, balance * Focusing on content may be more important than screen time * Parents serving as good role models + Distracted parenting is a real phenomenon * Delay use of screens as long as possible + “Wait Until Eighth” Campaign * Create screen-free spaces + Separate space for art, crafts, reading, board games, etc. * Seek out seratonin + Waldeinsamkeit – the feeling of solitude in the forest + Shinrin-yoku – “forest-bathing” + Friluftsliv – “open-air living” * Set essential boundaries to promote: + Sleep + Real-World Activities + Concentration + Connection + Mental Health and Self-Esteem * Consistency Is Very Helpful to Both Kids and Adults * Help children understand the business model of social media * Help children put social media interactions in context * Coping with Boredom Is a Life Skill and a Pathway to Creativity * Resources

2022–05–16 Millennials vow to cut down on screen time for ‘more natural life’
“https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/millennials-vow-cut-down-screen–23968163”
2022–05–14 Too much screen time linked to ADHD, aggression, anxiety in children
“https://www.studyfinds.org/screen-time-children-adhd-aggression-anxiety/”
2022–05–13 Health experts: Time to kill screens and send kids back to camp
“https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/may/13/health-experts-time-kill-screens-and-send-kids-bac/”
2022–05–12 Should kids have smartphones? Debate grows on mental health impact
“https://www.today.com/parents/parents/kids-smartphones-parents-debate-smartphones-teens-tweens-rcna28489”
2022–05–11 How has the pandemic affected children’s screen time?
“https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/05/pandemic-children-screen-time/”
2022–05–10 Add virtual ‘supervision’ over your kids’ screen time and digital content with these settings, apps
“https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/05/10/add-virtual-supervision-over-your-kids-screen-time-and-digital-content-with-these-settings-apps/#/questions”
2022–05–10 Norway says no to screen time for kids under two
“https://www.thelocal.no/20220510/norway-says-no-to-screen-time-for-kids-under-two/”
2022–05–09 Experts Can’t Agree on How Much Screen Time Is Too Much for Adults
“https://time.com/6174510/how-much-screen-time-is-too-much/”
2022–05–07 Parents encouraged to reduce children’s screen time
“https://salinapost.com/posts/57b31704–8f93–48d9-a507-c3f1e3b44736”
2022–05–05 Between pandemic restrictions and screen time, one thing is clear: The kids are not OK
“https://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/nicole-russell/article260997087.html”
2022–05–05 UW Health study: Too much screen time isn’t a problem for most teens
“https://www.nbc15.com/2022/05/05/uw-health-study-too-much-screen-time-isnt-problem-most-teens/”
2022–05–05 Screen Time Went Up During the Pandemic
“https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/smart-parenting-smarter-kids/202205/screen-time-went-during-the-pandemic”
2022–05–04 Mom Shares How She Avoided Screen Time Until Her Son Was 2 Years Old: ‘Normalize Being Bored’
“https://www.intheknow.com/post/mom-shares-how-she-avoided-screen-time-until-her-son-was–2-years-old-normalize-being-bored/”
2022–05–04 Campaign urges rethink of Gen Z’s screen time habits
“https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/campaign-urges-rethink-gen-zs–23861187”
2022–05–02 Screen time vs. traditional play: Keeping kids balanced
“https://nsjonline.com/article/2022/05/screen-time-vs-traditional-play-keeping-kids-balanced/”
2022–0428 How parents’ views of their kids’ screen time, social media use changed during COVID–19
“https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/04/28/how-parents-views-of-their-kids-screen-time-social-media-use-changed-during-covid–19/”
2022–04–28 Worried about your kids’ screen time? Check your own first.
“https://www.washingtonpost.com/parenting/2022/04/28/parent-screen-time-phones/”
2022–04–24 Report: Kids’ time spent on screen soars during the pandemic
“https://cruxnow.com/cns/2022/04/report-kids-time-spent-on-screen-soars-during-the-pandemic”
2022–04–22 Experts Say This Small Change Can Drastically Reduce Your Screen Time—So I Tested It Out
“https://www.wellandgood.com/phone-black-and-white-screentime/”
2022–04–22 Too Much Screen Time Is Linked To Self-Harming Thoughts In Teens
“https://www.moms.com/excessive-screen-time-linked-self-harming-thoughts-teens/”
2022–04–22 Office of Children’s Mental Health Releases Tips for Parents and Guardians on Healthy Screen Time Use
“https://antigotimes.com/2022/04/office-of-childrens-mental-health-releases-tips-for-parents-and-guardians-on-healthy-screen-time-use/”
2022–04–21 Screen time for kids: How to create a stress-free routine
“https://www.verizon.com/about/parenting/screen-time-kids-how-create-stress-free-routine”
2022–04–20 This app helps parents feel less guilty about screen time
“https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/education/2022/04/19/1question-app-parents-screen-time-pandemic”
2022–04–20 Too much screen time can hinder development
“https://www.xeniagazette.com/news/55161/too-much-screen-time-can-hinder-development”
2022–04–20 Wisconsin health officials release tips on healthy screen time for youth
“https://www.nbc15.com/2022/04/21/wisconsin-health-officials-release-tips-healthy-screen-time-youth/”
2022–04–19 US: This Gorilla Is Addicted To Smartphones, So Now His Screen Time Has Been Cut Down
“https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/environment/gorilla-with-smartphone-addiction-gets-screen-time-cut-down–567308.html”
2022–04–06 The dark side of screen time
“https://scotscoop.com/the-hidden-side-of-screen-time/”
[n.d.] Wait Until Eighth
“https://www.waituntil8th.org/”

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Show notes News Item:
- On December 28, 2021, Illuminate Education was hacked. The intrusion, which lasted until January 8, 2022, compromised the private data of nearly one million students in New York State (and maybe more)
- The breach affected at least 24 school districts and 18 charter schools, along with one Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES)
- The company initially described the hack as an “attempted security incident” but then shut down both Skedula and PupilPath for more than a week to address the issue
- Possibly the largest school data breach in U.S. history
- What Is Illuminate Education?
- A California-based edtech company (founded in 2009) that runs a variety of school information platforms, including Skedula (aka IO Classroom), PupilPath, and eduCLIMBER
- From its website:
- Our solution brings together holistic data and collaborative instructional tools, and puts them in the hands of educators.
- As a result, they can visualize each student’s progress, determine the right instructional or intervention strategy, and take the best next action, moment-by-moment.
- More than 17 million students and 5,200 districts and schools across all 50 states rely on Illuminate every day to move the student performance needle.
- It does not have a NY state- or city-wide contract but it is an approved vendor, which means that it was “rigorously reviewed” by the IT Department for the state Department of Education
- Schools use the platforms for a variety of purposes:
- tracking grades and attendance
- communicating with parents
- contact tracing for COVID–19
- The company has earned about $5 million per year from NY schools
- What Data Was Compromised?
- A database containing a variety of personally identifying information, including:
- names
- birthdays
- ethnicities
- home languages
- student ID numbers of current and former public school students going back to the 2016–17 school year
- identities of special ed students
- class and teacher schedules
- identities of those receiving free lunch
- Post-Incident Responses
- Illuminate waited two months to formally notify the city
- Avoid bad publicity and/or litigation
- Negotiating with hackers
- Avoid compromising investigation
- Illuminate claimed that all student data is encrypted but the breach revealed that was not true
- New York state law requires that student information be encrypted both “at rest or in motion”
- The hack is still being investigated by the Dept. of Education, the New York Police Department, the FBI, and NYS Attorney General Leticia James
- A school district in Connecticut also reported a breach, as did at least two in Colorado
- New York State Education Department drafted a template for a letter/web page for parents
- Notification of “unauthorized release of such data”
- Notification of number of years of data affected (blank in template)
- A promise that more information will be provided
- What Are the Risks?
- Profound impact on the ability of schools to function
- Identity Theft using dark web tools and resources
- Credit damage to minors, who typically don’t monitor their credit
- What Can Schools Do?
- Make sure that their own house is in order
- Updated security patches
- Collaboration with other schools/districts
- Ongoing review and utilization of state and federal resources
- Consider bringing in outside security consultants
- Review what student data is collected and whether doing so is mission-critical
- Don’t just collect data because it is possible to do so
- Make local backups of any data that is being transmitted to third-party vendors
- Thoroughly vet third-party vendors who collect and store student data
- Have they had security or data breach issues in the past?
- Advocate for stronger regulation of data collection firms at both state and federal levels
- What Can Parents Do?
- Don’t ignore notices of potential data breaches
- Change any passwords used by you or your children to interact with the school or the vendor platform(s)
- Put a credit lock on child social security numbers
- Take advantage of offers for complimentary credit monitoring for themselves and their children
- Be wary of possible fraud – scam calls, phishing emails, etc.
- Double-check by phone with school personnel about any online request for information
- Talk to your children about possible misuse of their information
- The price of digital data is eternal vigilance
- Resources
- [n.d.] Illuminate Education
https://www.illuminateed.com/
- [n.d.] New York State Education Department Template for Breach Notification Letter
http://www.nysed.gov/data-privacy-security/illuminate-education-breach-notice
- [n.d.] How to Protect Your Child From Identity Theft
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-protect-your-child-identity-theft
- #2022–05–05 565 Schools, Over 1M Students in NY Impacted by Illuminate Data Breach, NYSED Says; 2nd Colorado District Notifies Parents
https://thejournal.com/articles/2022/05/05/565-schools-over–1m-students-impacted-by-illuminate-data-breach–2nd-colorado-district-affected.aspx?admgarea=News1
- #2022–05–05 List of Schools in New York Impacted by the Illuminate Education Data Breach
https://thejournal.com/articles/2022/05/05/list-of-schools-in-new-york-impacted-by-the-illuminate-education-data-breach.aspx
- #2022–05–03 Illuminate Education Data Breach Impacted At Least 24 Districts, 18 Charter Schools in NY; Investigation Launched
https://thejournal.com/articles/2022/05/03/illuminate-education-data-breach-impacted-at-least–24-districts–18-charter-schools-in-ny.aspx?m=1
- #2022–04–21 Illuminate Education breach that affected NYC schools spreads to Connecticut
https://statescoop.com/illuminate-education-coventry-connecticut-breach/
- #2022–04–21 Another School District Says Student Data Breached Within an Illuminate Education Product
https://thejournal.com/articles/2022/04/21/another-school-district-says-student-data-breached-within-an-illuminate-education-product.aspx
- #2022–03–29 After massive NYC student data breach, here are steps you can take to protect your family
https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2022/3/29/23002097/illuminate-education-pupilpath-skedula-nyc-school-student-data-breach-privacy-scam-tips
- #2022–03–28 Data Breach Alert: Illuminate Education
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/data-breach-alert-illuminate-education–2802445/
- #2022–03–25 Data of 820,000 NYC students compromised in hack of online grading system: Education Dept.
https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/ny-hack-illuminate-online-gradebook-compromised-personal-data–20220325-ahy3b3b3t5cjzajau63muqcniq-story.html
- #2022–03–21 Data breach exposes 820K New York City students’ information
https://www.k12dive.com/news/data-breach-exposes–820k-new-york-city-students-information/621352/
- #2022–01–15 NYC schools crippled by week-long data service systems outage
https://nypost.com/2022/01/15/nyc-schools-crippled-by-illuminate-educations-data-outage/
- #2022–01–14 Ransomware feared in weeklong outage of online grading and attendance system used by NYC schools
https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/ny-grading-attendance-program-experts-fear-ransomware–20220114-sk5dqssgbjfhzhc3t5lhtbdlai-story.html
- #2022–01–11 Online grade and attendance system used by many NYC schools down for days
https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/ny-nyc-online-grades-down-possible-security-incident–20220112-leqn2ovkdbapvjzacfijaah5bu-story.html SEO Keyword School Data Breach

Question someone would ask where this would be the answer My school was hacked

Blog Post (<1000 words) “My student’s school was hacked!” While there are certainly worse things that could happen at your child’s school, this idea of being hacked can and should cause trepidation among parents.

Here are three things parents and schools can do when they have been hacked

Email Video https://fb.watch/cV0rJb6vxP/

Twitter Thread The price of digital data is eternal vigilance @cybertraps

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Show Notes * Starting Place + Companies are constantly releasing new tools for tracking the physical movements of children. Should parents use them? + Child monitoring apps and devices are rapidly becoming a multi-billion market + By #2012, more than 20 million people were already using Life360 – just five years after the iPhone was released - #2019 UK study – 40% of parents/guardians had deployed real-time GPS tracking and 15% checked locations “constantly” * A Relatively New Phenomenon + Technology and consumer interest began growing in early 2010s + Two main models - Location-sharing – provides real-time updates of a device’s location - Geofencing – provides alerts only when a device leaves or enters a specific area + Specialized features are emerging - Speed monitoring and crash detection for teen drivers - Remote activation of device microphones - “Stealth mode” – parents can install monitoring without any knowledge of child * Motivations for Tracking + Keeping track of devices or belongings + Make sure kids are where they are supposed to be + Keep a digital eye on children with health issues + Stranger danger - Risk overblown by sensationalist headlines? + Violence + Natural disasters + Greater freedom for children? * Relevant Technologies + GPS (sometimes + WiFi) - Backpacks - Phones * Gabb Wireless
https://gabbwireless.com/ * Pinwheel
https://www.pinwheel.com/ - Trackers * Jiobit - Watches * Xplora X5 Play + Bluetooth – limited utility in moving vehicles - AirTags - Tile + Apps - Circle Home Plus - FamiGuard - Family360 - Find My Friends (Apple, 2011) - Find My Kids (2016) - iSharing - Life360 (GPS) (2008) - My Family * Potential for Abuse + Cybertraps for Spouses, Partners, and Lovers * Fundamental Questions + Is this legal? - Yes. Parents have the right to supervise their children. As the owners of electronic devices, parents also have the right to install or remove software and establish rules for the use of the device. + Does it work? - Sonia Livingstone, a professor in the department of media and communications at the London School of Economics and Political Science, believes there is in fact “zero evidence that any of these apps keep children safer”. "I’ve never seen any and I look at all the evidence,” she says. + Are both parents in agreement? + When does parental supervision cross over into invasive surveillance? - Are one or both parents becoming digital voyeurs? + Are parents unknowingly sharing information with third parties? + Could this intensely personal information be hacked? + Is it a breach of familial trust? - Very hard to justify hidden monitoring of child - Parents should not try to get into a contest with children re technology use - Open conversation is critical - Challenges in dual-custody situations. + Does it stunt the development of child independence and the ability to pay attention to their surroundings? - Developing a sense of privacy is a natural part of the maturation process - Are parents putting more trust in a device than their children? - Chilling effect on friendships, romances, etc.? - What about when kids voluntarily share their location (e.g., Snap Map) + When should parents stop monitoring? + Are subcutaneous GPS chips next? - #2018 “Black Mirror” episode called “Arkangel”
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5709250/ * Resources - #2022–05–01 Honey, let’s track the kids: the rise of parental surveillance
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/may/01/honey-lets-track-the-kids-phone-apps-now-allow-parents-to-track-their-children
- #2022–03–04 How to Track My Child’s Phone Without Them Knowing
https://novascotiatoday.com/how-to-track-my-childs-phone-without-them-knowing/19149/
- #2022–02–11 I Used Apple AirTags, Tiles and a GPS Tracker to Watch My Husband’s Every Move
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/11/technology/airtags-gps-surveillance.html
- #2021–12–29 ‘My husband tracks our kids’ every move – I think it’s an invasion of privacy’
https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/family/my-husband-tracks-kids-every–25806649
- #2021–12–20 5 Best GPS Watches for Kids to Safeguard Their Movement
https://urbanmatter.com/5-best-gps-watches-for-kids-to-safeguard-their-movement/
- #2021–11–07 The parents who track their children
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20211105-the-parents-who-track-their-children
- #2021–09–27 Should You Use Apple AirTags to Keep Track of Your Kids?
https://lifehacker.com/should-you-use-apple-airtags-to-keep-track-of-your-kids–1847752273
- #2021–09–08 The Case Against Tracking Your Kid’s Phone ($)
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021–09–08/back-to-school-the-case-against-tracking-your-kid-s-phone-location
- #2021–08–23 These gadgets can help you track your kids on the way to school
https://ktla.com/morning-news/technology/track-kids-way-walk-to-school-tech-gadgets-richontech/
- #2021–08–10 7 Phone Tracking Apps For Parents’ Peace of Mind
https://www.newsweek.com/7-phone-tracking-apps-parents-peace-mind–1610685
- #2020–03–10 Should Parents Track Their Children?
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/10/learning/should-parents-track-their-children.html
- #2015–10–18 Would YOU track your child’s every move? Three very sceptical mums test £80 GPS watch on their kids to see if it’s helicopter-parenting gone mad… or just good sense
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article–3275502/Three-mums-track-children-s–80-Moochies-watch.html
- #2012–09–14 Should You Use Your Smart Phone to Track Your Kids?
https://business.time.com/2012/09/14/should-you-use-your-smartphone-to-track-your-kids/

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New Item: British Journalist Yinka Bokinni led production of a documentary, “Inside the Metaverse: Are You Safe?”, which is airing on UK Channel 4 later today
- https://www.channel4.com/programmes/inside-the-metaverse-are-you-safe-dispatches
- She posed as both a 22-year-old woman and a 13-year-old girl
- The interactions horrified her
What Is the Metaverse?
- Portmanteau of “meta” (“after” or “beyond”) and “universe” – so, “beyond the universe”
- A vague and complex term for an online space, typically including virtual reality OR a virtual world (like Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft, World of Warcraft, etc.)
- No clear-cut definition, no established rules
- Few people fully appreciate how fast this will all happen
- Heavy reliance on user-generated content (particularly in chat rooms), which is protected by Section 230
- Headsets, glasses, contact lenses?
- Most companies anticipate some sort of digital economy within those spaces
- Some plans to incorporate physical sensations, like smell, touch, and sound
Who Can Access the “Metaverse”?
- Users of Oculus Quest (now called “Meta Quest”), a popular VR headset
- Apps are downloaded from the Oculus Quest Store that enable Oculus Quest users to interact with each in virtual space
- Apps can be used with multiple VR devices, not just Meta Quest
- Meta spokesperson:
  - “We prohibit anyone under 13 from creating Quest accounts and design some experiences only for people 18 and over.”
  - ’We have a suite of VR parental supervision tools to help parents and carers who choose to allow teens 13 and over to use the headset to monitor their use, limit the time they spend using it and ensure they take breaks."
Some Emerging Risks
- More Difficult for Parents to Monitor What Children Are Doing
- Distraction / Addiction
- Economics
  - Fraud
  - Overspending on upgrades
- Loss of Privacy
- Physical Harms
  - Motion sickness from immersive reality
  - Discomfort / pain from wearing headsets too long
  - Desensitization to harmful behavior
- Psychological Harms
- Racism / Misogyny / Hate Speech
- Crime
  - Probably analyzed on the basis of harmful speech, not physical crimes
- Sexual Harassment and Assault
  - User can’t “feel” unwanted physical contact but is aware that other user is making those motions in their physical space
Safety Measures
- Better Age Verification
  - Young children can get access to various examples of the metaverse
- Better Enforcement of Age-Limited Content
  - Easy for young children to get access to sexualized material and view other forms of anti-social behavior
- Parental Controls
- Proximity Shields
- Reporting Mechanisms
Resources
- Interesting Media Examples
  - “Tron”
  - Star Trek: The Next Generation holodeck
  - “Ready Player One”
  - Zoom / Microsoft Teams / etc.
  - “Mythic Quest”
  - Gather Town
  - “Free Guy”
  - “Upload” - #2022–04–25 What Is the Metaverse, Exactly?
    https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-the-metaverse/
2022–04–25 Metaverse is branded an ‘online Wild West’ by child safety campaigners as Channel 4 Dispatches uncovers evidence of sexual abuse and racism in the virtual reality world
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–10750407/Metaverse-branded-online-Wild-West-Channel–4-uncovers-evidence-sexual-abuse-racism.html
2022–04–25 A barrage of assault, racism and rape jokes: my nightmare trip into the metaverse
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/apr/25/a-barrage-of-assault-racism-and-jokes-my-nightmare-trip-into-the-metaverse
2022–04–14 Meta to reveal first version of its Star Trek-style smart glasses in 2024 – and they WON’T be tethered to a phone
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article–10718109/Meta-plans-release-version-Star-Trek-style-smart-glasses–2024.html
2022–04–10 Metaverse experts reveal if you can murder in VR – and whether you can be punished
https://nypost.com/2022/04/10/metaverse-experts-reveal-if-you-can-murder-in-virtual-world/
2022–04–05 Coca-Cola launches virtual drink inside the metaverse and you can try it TODAY
https://nypost.com/2022/04/05/coca-cola-launches-virtual-drink-inside-the-metaverse/
2022–04–03 Experts predict how Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse will change our mental health forever
https://nypost.com/2022/04/03/experts-predict-how-the-metaverse-will-change-our-mental-health/
2022–04–03 Struggling to buy a home? How spending your cash on land that DOESN’T EXIST could get you on the property ladder sooner
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–10646217/Hottest-Australian-real-estate-real-estate-metaverse-virtual-property-boom-explodes.html
2022–03–23 Inside the plan for utopian metaverse city that will have almost no rules or police
https://nypost.com/2022/03/23/inside-the-plan-for-utopian-metaverse-city-that-will-have-almost-no-rules-or-police/
2022–03–03 No Zuck-in way! Mark Zuckerberg claims we will all ‘live’ in the metaverse in the future and leave reality behind for a virtual world of our own creation
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article–10573907/Mark-Zuckerberg-claims-live-metaverse-future.html
2022–02–25 Welcome to the metaverse, where the art is virtual but the headache is real
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/02/25/metaverse-art-mint-museum/
2022–02–05 Meta is putting a stop to virtual groping in its metaverse by creating 4-foot safety bubbles around avatars
https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-metaverse-virtual-groping-personal-boundary-safety-bubble-horizons-venues–2022–2
2022–02–04 Meta adds ‘Personal Boundary’ to metaverse after ‘virtual gang rape’
https://nypost.com/2022/02/04/meta-adds-personal-boundary-to-metaverse-after-virtual-gang-rape/
2022–03–29 Mother says she was virtually groped by three male characters within seconds of entering Facebook’s online world Metaverse
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–10455417/Mother–43-avatar-groped-three-male-characters-online-Metaverse.html
2022–01–13 Surveillance will follow us into ‘the metaverse,’ and our bodies could be its new data source
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/01/13/privacy-vr-metaverse/
2022–04–25 What is the Metaverse and why are billions of dollars being spent on it?https://www.cnbc.com/video/2022/04/25/what-is-the-metaverse-and-why-are-billions-of-dollars-being-spent-on-it.html
2021–12–30 The Metaverse’s Dark Side: Here Come Harassment and Assaults
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/30/technology/metaverse-harassment-assaults.html
2017–03–20 Assault charge filed after tweet sent to journalist with epilepsy

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News Item: Colorado Supreme Court Strikes Down Electronic Harassment Ban
Three Speech-Related Crimes:
- Cyberbullying
  - Using electronic communication tools to bully someone
- Cyber- or Electronic Harassment
  - Online harassment (suggests a pattern of behavior more extensive than cyberbullying)
- Cyberstalking
  - Harassment using electronic communications that creates fear of physical harm or injury
Thanks to social media, these behaviors are increasingly a global problem
Growing concern about rise in electronic dating violence among adolescents
- Electronic harassment includes messaging, calling and sending other items to illicit compliance via intimidation and fear tactics; electronic coercion is pressuring a partner to share sexual or illicit messages, pictures or videos; and electronic monitoring is the viewing, listening or reading of messages, images or videos of one’s partner.
- “We found that at age 12, youth are at risk of engaging in all three forms of electronic dating violence that we studied, and that between 9th and 10th grade—when youth are 15 to 16 years old—the risk of all three domains increases substantially. But we see that risk becomes somewhat constant or perhaps even declines after age 16,” said Elyse Thulin, a doctoral candidate at U-M’s School of Public Health, noting that more research is needed to understand the undercurrents of this decline.
Connected homes and the Internet of Things is increasing the potential for this type of behavior
These types of behavior can cause or contribute to serious harm for victims, up to and including suicide
Children can be perpetrators as well as victims
Responses and Solutions
- Statutory
  - Most states have amended their relevant statutes to include the use of electronic communications to commit these crimes
  - Some states have adopted statutes specifically prohibiting cyberbullying, cyberharassment, and cyberstalking
  - In some states, these behaviors can be either a misdemeanor or a felony
  - With respect to speech, such statutes are a restriction of First Amendment freedoms and as such, are subject to strict scrutiny by the courts
  - In some instances, courts have struck down language in these statutes on the grounds that the phrases or terms used are “unconstitutionally vague and overbroad”
    - Colorado: Supreme Court struck down phrase “intended to harass”
    - Texas: Appellate court struck down a ban on online speech “intended to and reasonably likely to annoy”
- Corporate
  - Terms of Service
  - Site Behaviors
    - Mute/Block
    - Limiting Responses
    - Unmentioning
- Litigation
  - Lawsuits seeking damages for intentional infliction of emotion distress, invasion of privacy, etc.
From a 1975 decision by the Colorado Supreme Court:
- Indeed, a fundamental purpose of free speech in our system of government is to debate ideas. These debates may be vigorous and high-minded but may at times devolve into vituperative attacks. “Speech is often provocative and challenging. It may strike at prejudices and preconceptions and have profound unsettling effects.” But as the Bolles court aptly observed, if such speech could be restricted, “the protection of the First Amendment would be a mere shadow.”
Resources - #2022–04–11 Seeking to protect its users from cyberbullying, Twitter is experimenting with a feature to remove tags from mentions
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/424461
2022–03–28 Colorado Supreme Court Strikes Down Electronic Harassment Ban
https://reason.com/volokh/2022/03/28/colorado-supreme-court-strikes-down-electronic-harassment-ban/
2022–02–11 ‘Your digital safety matters to us’: New campaign for protection against electronic harassment, blackmail [Egypt]https://dailynewsegypt.com/2022/02/11/your-digital-safety-matters-to-us-new-campaign-for-protection-against-electronic-harassment-blackmail/
2021–12–27 Cyberbullying Laws
https://www.findlaw.com/criminal/criminal-charges/cyber-bullying.html
2021–11–08 Electronic dating violence starts as early as 12
https://www.futurity.org/electronic-dating-violence-teenagers–2653102/
2021–11–04 E-violence increases through early adolescence but declines as teens become adults
https://news.umich.edu/e-violence-increases-through-early-adolescence-but-declines-as-teens-become-adults/
2021–09–30 Two Toronto High School students facing charges in electronic harassment case
https://wtov9.com/news/local/two-toronto-high-school-students-facing-charges-in-electronic-harassment-case
2019–08–22 Florida case reveals terrors of cyberstalking
https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/special/special-sections/2019/08/22/florida-case-reveals-terrors-cyberstalking/4407314007/
2019–08–09 Texas Appellate Court Strikes Down Electronic Harassment Statute
https://reason.com/volokh/2019/08/09/texas-appellate-court-strikes-down-electronic-harassment-statute/
2017–11–22 Boy, 13, charged with hate crime, electronic harassment after threats and ‘racial statements’
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-met-huntley-student-charged-with-hate-crime-for-threats–20171121-story.html
2017–07–05 Ex-teacher pleads guilty to electronic harassment of high school student
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-teacher-electronic-harass-buffalo-grove-met–20170705-story.html
2014–04–15 Man pleads guilty to electronic harassment
https://www.news-gazette.com/news/man-pleads-guilty-to-electronic-harassment/article_a8b5a907–0b9a–58ac–8de5-be2ab4fd326c.html
2010–12–10 Billboard By Human Rights Activists Warns of Electronic Harassment
https://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/12/prweb4881944.htm

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Lynn Clark, the Superintendent of the Chicopee Public Schools, is arrested for lying to the FBI over harassing texts
See our interview with Quentin Dale about investigations.
- Relevant Facts
- Chicopee is a town of about 55,000, just north of Springfield, Mass. in the western part of the state
- The Chicopee Public School District serves about 7800 students in pre-K to 12th grade, in 14 different schools
- Clark, 51, was appointed superintendent in 2019 with an effective start date of February 2020. She began working in the district as a substitute teacher and eventually served as the principal of three schools and then assistant superintendent
- Her first year as superintendent was considered to “outstanding”
- During the city’s search for a new police chief, one candidate (a member of the Chicopee Police Dept.) began receiving a series of harassing texts
- The messages threatened “to damage his reputation” if he did not withdraw from the application pool (and in fact, the officer did withdraw)
- Some messages, the victim said, contained information that he had only shared with one person: Clark
- Chicopee Mayor John L. Vieau reported the threatening texts to the FBI in early December
- Clark was questioned by the FBI and initially denied sending the texts
- She also claimed to have received similar threats
- She subsequently admitted that she sent them and said “that the officer ‘had achieved many accomplishments based on [her] work’ and she wanted to see him ‘knocked down a peg.’”
- By an 8–3 vote, the Chicopee School Committee voted to put Clark on paid leave
- Issues
- The Importance of Restraint and Self-Control
- Big question regarding the relationship / connection between Clark and the police officer
- “The FBI said that in January, Clark told investigators she feared the investigation was harming her professional reputation and ‘tearing the city apart.’”
- How Clark Got Burned – The Difficulty of Truly Remaining Anonymous Online
- Clark allegedly used a “burner app” to send approximately 100 threatening text messages
- She told the FBI that she “she had also used similar burner apps to contact students’ parents who were ‘unresponsive’ to calls from numbers associated with the Chicopee Public Schools.
- What Are ”Burner Apps“?
- A ”burner app“ allows you to purchase one or more anonymous phone numbers. The company operating the burner app receives the call or text and routes it to your actual phone number, which the person on the other end does not know. When the user no longer needs the alternative phone number, he or she can ”burn“ it by discontinuing payment. Calls or texts to that number will no longer be forwarded.
- Promotional explanation for the Burner app:
- Use Burner for everyday situations. Create a disposable phone number for dating, salespeople, deliveries, shopping online or selling items on Craigslist. You can use it as a longterm second phone number for your business or side projects. Integrations with Dropbox, Google Drive, and Slack allow you to archive messages and voicemails, and communicate with your team. Create multiple numbers, keep them as long as you want, or burn them anytime. Share your Burner with anyone and everyone, or keep your new number secret for anonymous texting. No hassles, no contracts.
- Examples of burner apps:
- 2ndLine
- Burner
- Cloud SIM
- CoverMe
- Flyp
- GoogleVoice
- Grasshopper
- Hushed
- Line2
- MightyCall
- Sideline
- What Can a Digital Investigation Reveal?
- The ”phone number“ (burner number) from which the messages were sent
- Police can link phone number to specific burner app company
- Records held by the operator of the burner app showing which subscriber is using a particular number at any given moment
- Payment records that reveal device ID used to make the purchase (in this case, Apple ID)
- Records revealing link between user’s device and a specific home IP address, which in turn provides a physical address
- Records held by the cell carrier showing use of the individual’s phone, specifically time and date of calls, even if recipient is hidden
- From Burner: ”Calls made through Burner show up on your phone bill as calls between your Burner number and your personal number. The end numbers you are calling through Burner are not shown. Incoming calls show up as calls from your Burner number.“
- Text messages can be sent entirely within burner apps (assuming internet connectivity), which shields texting activity from cell carrier; however, records of burner app company can still reveal linkage between burner number and actual number
- Location of the device used (cell tower pings, Wi-Fi, even Bluetooth – consider implications of Find My network)
- Voicemail or other recordings that can be used for voice-matching technology
- Clark could face additional charges
- She has admitted deleting every message on her phone, which could constitute obstruction of justice
- Impact on administration, staff, school community, and city
- Prevention is challenging
- Not a systemic issue
- Few if any warning signs
- Personal demons / vulnerabilities
- Structure / resources for help?
- Persistent reminders to entire school community of the challenges of overcoming bad search results
- Use cautionary tales like this one to remind school community of significant legal risks; Clark is facing up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, in addition to the loss of her $175,000/year job.
- Resources
- #2022–04–11 Here’s what we know about the Mass. school superintendent who allegedly sent threatening texts — and then lied to the FBI.
”https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2022/04/11/chicopee-schools-superintendent-lynn-clark-alleged-threatening-texts-lie-fbi/“
- #2022–04–07 ‘A huge dark cloud over the city.’ Chicopee officials place superintendent on paid leave, ask for her resignation following arrest
”https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/07/metro/huge-dark-cloud-city-chicopee-officials-place-superintendent-paid-leave-ask-her-resignation-following-arrest/“
- #2022–04–07 Chicopee superintendent worked her way up to the school system’s top job
”https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/07/nation/chicopee-superintendent-worked-her-way-up-school-systems-top-job/“
- #2022–04–06 Schools Boss Arrested After Threatening Police Chief Hopeful in Dozens of Creepy Texts, Feds Say
”https://www.thedailybeast.com/chicopee-massachusetts-schools-boss-lynn-clark-threatened-police-chief-hopeful-in–99-creepy-texts-feds-say“
- #2022–04–06 Chicopee school superintendent arrested on federal charge of lying about alleged threatening text message plot
”https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/06/metro/fbi-searches-belchertown-home-part-ongoing-probe/“
- #2022–02–06 The 5 Best Apps for a Temporary Burner Phone Number
”https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-apps-getting-temporary-burner-phone-number/“
- #2022–01–07 10 Best Burner Phone Number Apps (Free and Paid)
”https://beebom.com/best-burner-phone-number-apps/"

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White House Proclamation
- Goals
  - Condemn and combat child abuse – physical, emotional, sexual, and online sexual exploitation
  - Heighten awareness of risk factors
  - Highlight importance of supporting families
- Child abuse occurs at all socioeconomic and educational levels, and in all religious, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds
- Key tool for fighting child abuse is prevention
Child Abuse Statists – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- At least 1 in 7 children have experienced abuse or neglect in the past year
  - In 2019, there were 73 million children in U.S.
- In 2019, 1,840 children died from abuse and/or neglect
- Long-term economic burden of child abuse and neglect is enormous
  - 2015 estimate – $428 billion, comparable to economic costs of strokes and Type 2 diabetes
- Risk factors
  - Risk Factors for Individual Perpetrators
    - Caregivers with drug or alcohol issues
    - Caregivers with mental health issues, including depression
    - Caregivers who don’t understand children’s needs or development
    - Caregivers who were abused or neglected as children
    - Caregivers who are young or single parents or parents with many children
    - Caregivers with low education or income
    - Caregivers experiencing high levels of parenting stress and economic stress
    - Caregivers who use spanking and other forms of corporal punishment for discipline
    - Caregivers in the home who are not a biological parent
    - Caregivers with attitudes accepting of or justifying violence or aggression
  - Risk Factors for Families
    - Families that have family members in jail or prison
    - Families that are isolated from and not connected to other people (extended family, friends, neighbors)
    - Family violence, including relationship violence
    - Families with high conflict and negative communication styles
  - Risk Factors in Communities
    - Communities with high rates of violence and crime
    - Communities with high rates of poverty and limited educational and economic opportunities
    - Communities with high unemployment rates
    - Communities with easy access to drugs and alcohol
    - Communities where neighbors don’t know or look out for each other and there is low community involvement among residents
    - Communities with few community activities for young people
    - Communities with unstable housing and where residents move frequently
    - Communities where families frequently experience food insecurity
Role of Technology
- Number of children using a mobile device has more than doubled in last few years
- Parents have legitimate concerns about online safety
- “Sad fishing” – Predators search “for kids who seem sad, lonely, or depressed based on their public profiles on a variety of social media platforms.”
- “Online sexual exploitation”
  - Grooming
  - Live streaming
  - consuming child sexual abuse material
  - Coercing and blackmailing children for sexual purposes (“sexploitation”)
Preventative Measures
- Child Abuse in General
  - Individuals
    - Caregivers who create safe, positive relationships with children
    - Caregivers who practice nurturing parenting skills and provide emotional support
    - Caregivers who can meet basic needs of food, shelter, education, and health services
    - Caregivers who have a college degree or higher and have steady employment
  - Families
    - Families with strong social support networks and stable, positive relationships with the people around them
    - Families where caregivers are present and interested in the child
    - Families where caregivers enforce household rules and engage in child monitoring
    - Families with caring adults outside the family who can serve as role models or mentors
  - Communities
    - Communities with access to safe, stable housing
    - Communities where families have access to high-quality preschool
    - Communities where families have access to nurturing and safe childcare
    - Communities where families have access to safe, engaging after school programs and activities
    - Communities where families have access to medical care and mental health services
    - Communities where families have access to economic and financial help
    - Communities where adults have work opportunities with family-friendly policies
- Online Sexual Abuse
  - Familiarize yourself with the apps and online services used by each child and supervise activity
  - Open lines of communication
  - Acknowledge importance of online interactions for children
  - Persistent discussion of online safety over a long period time, beginning early and adjusting to age and maturity of each child
  - Clear and reasonable rules regarding online activity, developed in conversation with each child
  - Deploy technology to assist in child safety, but don’t expect it to replace adult supervision
  - Assist each child in setting and adjusting privacy controls
Resources - #2022–04–04 Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama Awards Grant to Create Digital Safety Video to Better Educate Alabaman’s Youth
https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/566781873/children-s-trust-fund-of-alabama-awards-grant-to-create-digital-safety-video-to-better-educate-alabama-s-youth
2022–04–03 April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month: Maui events promote healthy keiki
https://mauinow.com/2022/04/03/april-is-national-child-abuse-prevention-month-maui-events-promote-healthy-keiki/
2022–04–02 Juneau recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Month
https://www.peninsulaclarion.com/news/juneau-recognizes-child-abuse-prevention-month/
2022–04–01 Nebraska To Recognize April As Child Abuse Prevention Month
https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Nebraska-to-Recognize-April-as-Child-Abuse-Prevention-Month–04012022.aspx
2022–03–31 A Proclamation on National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2022
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/03/31/a-proclamation-on-national-child-abuse-prevention-month–2022/
2022–03–28 Flickr Press Release
https://blog.flickr.net/en/2022/03/28/building-a-safer-flickr-for-generations-to-come/
2022–03–16 Protecting children from online abuse
https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/online-abuse
2021–11–01 How to protect children from online sexual harm
https://www.internetmatters.org/hub/news-blogs/how-to-protect-children-from-online-sexual-harm/
2021–10–25 U.S. Department of Justice – Keeping Children Safe Online
https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/keeping-children-safe-online
#2021 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – 2021/2022 Prevention Resource Guide
https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/guide_2021.pdf
2019–12–07 How to Protect Your Children From Online Sexual Predators
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/07/us/protect-children-online-sex-abuse.html
[n.d.] End Violence Against Children Online
https://www.end-violence.org/safe-online
[n.d.] Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina
https://www.preventchildabusenc.org/
[n.d.] U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime – Online child sexual exploitation and abuse
https://www.unodc.org/e4j/en/cybercrime/module–12/key-issues/online-child-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse.html
[n.d.] U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/index.html
[n.d.] U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Preventing Child Sexual Abuse
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childsexualabuse/fastfact.html

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Ransomware is a growing problem for organizations, including schools
- What is it?
- How does it happen?
- Why does it happen? $$$ – $7bn in 2021
- Who’s doing it?
- We are all on the front lines now
Problems for Schools
- Down time for school personnel, distraction from mission
- Inability to access data; closure of schools
- Loss of data, identity theft, invasions of privacy
- Reputational damage
- Financial loss
  - Technical and legal fees
  - Ransomware payment
How Can Schools Protect Themselves
- Have air-gapped backups
- Conduct routine cybersecurity audits and threat analysis
- Training and education for all members of the school community
  - The greater the access, the more training is needed
  - Particular focus on phishing (leading attack vector) and other intrusion methods
- Competent and thorough IT department
  - Patch, patch, patch
  - Limit ability to install new programs without thorough testing
- Collaboration with law enforcement
- Take advantage of increased funds for cybersecurity
  - Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
  - American Rescue Plan Act
- Increased interest in cybersecurity offers great opportunities for education and job training
How Much Should Schools Share with the Public?
- Organizations often face a temptation to not report cybersecurity breaches
- Have a thorough response plan in place; review and update on a regular basis
- Consult with law enforcement to avoid interfering with investigation
- Communicate quickly and thoroughly with parents if (when) a cyberattack occurs
- Increased transparency helps define the scope of the problem and risk factors for others
Resources - #2022–03–28 Funding Is Flowing for Cybersecurity Efforts in Every Government Jurisdiction
https://www.cpomagazine.com/cyber-security/funding-is-flowing-for-cybersecurity-efforts-in-every-government-jurisdiction/
2022–03–27 LI schools hit with 29 ransomware attacks, hacks, other cyber incidents in past 3 years
https://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/ransomware-cyberattack-virus-school-computer-networks-p5wjjhed
2022–03–24 Officials are still in the dark on ransomware
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/03/24/officials-are-still-dark-ransomware/
2022–03–24 Why school districts need to be more transparent on cyber
https://statescoop.com/podcast/why-school-districts-need-to-be-more-transparent-on-cyber/
2022–03–23 Cybercriminals made $7bn in pure profit in 2021, says FBI
https://www.theregister.com/2022/03/23/cybercriminals_made_7bn_2021/
2022–03–23 FBI, CISA advise 13,000 orgs to have ‘low threshold’ for reporting cyberattacks
https://therecord.media/fbi-cisa-advise–13000-orgs-to-have-low-threshold-for-reporting-cyberattacks/
2022–03–22 Add a New Dimension to Ransomware Defenses in Education
https://campuslifesecurity.com/articles/2022/03/22/add-a-new-dimension-to-ransomware-defenses-in-education.aspx?m=1
2022–03–16 APS says no data compromised during January’s cyberattack
https://www.abqjournal.com/2480114/aps-said-no-data-compromised-in-cyber-attack.html
2022–03–15 Cyber Notification Bill Critical, But Won’t Stop Bad Actors Entirely, Says Senator
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/2022/03/cyber-notification-bill-critical-but-wont-stop-bad-actors-entirely-says-senator/
2002–03–11 Superintendent speaks out about cyber security incident at Altoona Area School District
https://wjactv.com/news/local/superintendent-speaks-out-about-cyber-security-incident-at-altoona-area-school-district
2022–03–10 MA Offers Free Cybersecurity Training to Schools, Cities
https://www.govtech.com/education/k–12/ma-offers-free-cybersecurity-training-to-schools-cities
2022–03–07 Greensville County School board orders technology audit after cyber-attack
https://www.emporiaindependentmessenger.com/news/article_e50d935e–9ccc–11ec–8051–2382b6a94403.html
2022–03–07 Valley Educators Prepare Students For Cybersecurity Workforce
https://businessjournaldaily.com/educators-prepare-students-for-cybersecurity-workforce/

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https://www.cybertraps.com/additional-resources * Increased Use of Technology

A Global Issue
Explosion in the Use of Technology for Remote Learning
General Increase in Screen Time
Algorithmic Rabbit Holes
Scope of the Problem
90% of Kids Are Regular Social Media Users
Impact of Pandemic on Mental Well-Being of Children in General -- Almost Certainly Bad
Some Disagreement as to Role of Technology and Social Media
Particular Challenges for Girls
Rise in Loneliness and Suicide Attempts
Issues and Concerns
Access to Inappropriate Materials on Poorly Set-Up School Devices (or Personal Devices)
Impact on Student Privacy
What Are the Search Terms Used by the School to Flag Messages or Searches?
Emerging Technologies: Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence
Responses
Reasonable Limits on Screen Time for Children
Possible legislation by U.S. Congress and EU to force tech companies to do a better job protecting children
Increased surveillance of children by schools?
Better training of school employees to recognize symptoms and warning signs
More effective education regarding mental health; destigmatize
Encourage students to seek help for themselves or their classmates
Mental health days?
Resources
General
2022-03-21 Kids, teens and mental health: Parents report challenges in screening, getting care https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/childrens-health/kids-teens-and-mental-health-parents-report-challenges-screening-getting-care
"Even before the pandemic, mental health disorders in adolescents, such as depression and anxiety, were prevalent,” said Mott Poll co-director and Mott pediatrician Gary L. Freed, M.D., M.P.H."
"The pandemic caused significant stress and social disruption for kids that likely exacerbated these problems, as we’re seeing a growing number of young people face mental health concerns. This places a heavier burden on parents, health providers and other trusted adults in their lives to be aware of potential warning signs."
2022-03-21 The pandemic has changed the way we perceive technology — and how we resist it https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/03/21/covid-technnology-zoom-fatigue-spyware/
2022-03-21 Social media is turning 25. Let’s take a mental health checkup https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2022/03/21/social-media-is-turning-25-lets-take-a-mental-health-checkup/
First social media site: sixdegrees.com in 1997
2022-02-15 Social anxiety in teens higher during pandemic; speaker gives ways to cope https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/social-anxiety-in-teens-higher-during-pandemic-speaker-gives-ways-to-cope/
2022-02-08 Clues Your Teen May Be Facing a Mental Health Challenge https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20220208/clues-teen-facing-mental-health-challenge
2022-02-02 AHA News: Amid a National Mental Health Crisis For Kids, Here's How Parents Can Help https://consumer.healthday.com/aha-news-amid-a-national-mental-health-crisis-for-kids-here-s-how-parents-can-help-2656533386.html
2022-02-01 In pandemic’s isolation, an alarming number of teenage girls are attempting suicide https://www.texastribune.org/2022/02/01/teenage-girls-suicide-pandemic-covid/
2021-11-18 US states investigate Instagram for ‘wreaking havoc’ on teens’ mental health https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/nov/18/instagram-investigation-teenagers-children-facebook
Use of Technology
2022-03-20 Lawmaker Seeks to Ban Students’ Cell Phones From Nebraska Classrooms https://www.the74million.org/article/lawmaker-seeks-to-ban-cell-phones-from-nebraska-classrooms/
2022-03-17 COVID-19 and Edtech for Schools: The apps are here to stay https://news.careers360.com/covid19-schools-online-classroom-edtechs-hybrid-learning-aicte-ugc-education-neat
2022-03-16 Social Media and Kids’ Mental Health: Q&A with Jean Twenge https://newscenter.sdsu.edu/sdsu_newscenter/news_story.aspx?sid=78708
"Among teens, heavy users of social media (five-plus hours a day) are twice as likely to be depressed as non-users. Facebook's own research found that using Instagram led to body image issues for many teen girls. Screen time in general (TV, gaming, texting) is also linked to depression, but not as strongly."
2022-03-16 Wake may be spying on your child’s school computer to look for dangerous behavior https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article259436694.html
2022-03-15 AI in Ed Tech: Privacy Considerations for AI-powered Ed Tech tools https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=91a1a3d2-1c02-4a26-8fcd-b17777d15310
2022-03-14 Study: Social Media Didn’t Cause Teens’ Pandemic Stress https://www.verywellhealth.com/pandemic-teen-mental-health-dont-blame-social-media-5221966
"A new study did not find evidence of a direct link between teens’ increased use of social technology during the COVID-19 pandemic and changes to their well-being."
"Although the teens showed more problematic social technology behaviors overall, these behaviors were not necessarily linked to increased social anxiety, loneliness, or depression."
"Social technology can have a negative impact on any person’s well-being, but it can also be beneficial. The outcome depends on many factors and can’t be predicted just by looking at how often a person uses social media."
2022-03-08 Staff Editorial: Our dependence on technology is dangerous https://www.mvnews.org/staff-editorial-our-dependence-on-technology-is-dangerous/
2022-03-08 Study: Too much screen time harmful on molecular level https://news.asu.edu/20220308-discoveries-study-too-much-screen-time-harmful-molecular-level
2022-03-07 Parents, help your teens protect their mental health with tech limits https://www.nebraskamed.com/behavioral-health/parents-help-your-teens-protect-their-mental-health-with-tech-limits
2022-03-07 What we know now about screen time for kids https://www.deseret.com/2022/3/7/22965534/what-we-know-now-about-screen-time-for-kids-jean-twenge-igen-social-media
2022-03-02 How digital wellbeing tools can help teens https://www.verizon.com/about/parenting/how-digital-wellbeing-tools-can-help-teens
2022-02-25 Linewize Webinar Stresses Need for K-12 Safety Monitoring https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/linewize-webinar-stresses-need-for-k-12-safety-monitoring
2022-02-24 Is virtual reality bad for our mental health? https://techmonitor.ai/emerging-tech/is-virtual-reality-bad-for-mental-health
"Simulation sickness"
Feeling of unreality
2022-02-24 Remote Learning Accidentally Introduced a New Danger for LGBTQ Students https://slate.com/technology/2022/02/remote-learning-danger-lgbtq-students.html
2022-02-23 City leaders sign off on contract to surveil students’ technology usage during school day https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2022/02/23/city-leaders-sign-off-on-contract-to-surveil-students-technology-usage-during-school-day/
2022-02-21 Parents: 70% of kids spending more time in front of a screen than before coronavirus pandemic https://www.fingerlakes1.com/2022/02/21/parents-70-of-kids-spending-more-time-in-front-of-a-screen-than-before-coronavirus-pandemic/
Non-Tech Solutions
2022-03-14 MacPhee: Schools and Educators Are Uniquely Positioned to Support Students’ Mental Health. Here Are 7 Things They Can Do https://www.the74million.org/article/macphee-schools-and-educators-are-uniquely-positioned-to-support-students-mental-health-here-are-7-things-they-can-do/
2022-03-08 More States Are Allowing Students to Take ‘Mental Health Days.’ But Could the Practice Backfire? https://www.the74million.org/article/more-states-are-allowing-students-to-take-mental-health-days-but-could-the-practice-backfire/]()

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Show notes

Https://jethrojones.com/how2be
About the book
Over 500 episodes of Transformative Principal
9 key dispositions and skills
![[how2be 1.jpg]]
Self-care
- The fallacious idea that you should take care of yourself so you have enough in the tank to take care of others is one of the worst lies in education. Take care of yourself because YOU matter.
Support for them, Support for you
- Support doesn’t always mean what you think it does. We’ll talk about how to have difficult conversations, how to understand your staff better, and how to help them be the best they can. In order to support others, you have to have support yourself. This program is a good start!
Delegation
- We usually speak of strengths and delegation in terms of tasks. We need to start thinking in terms of people.
Vision
- At the end of the calendar year, but in the middle of the school year, we address the vision. Is your school achieving your vision, or is it taking the path of least resistance?
Observations
- Observations are not for evaluation! The evaluation is a nice way to summarize your observations. Observations are for measuring how well your vision is implemented.
Communication
- Communication is not just about you speaking to others. It’s a two-way street, fraught with potholes, car accidents, and detours.
Relationships
- Relationships can make or break a school. You’ll learn how to build good, strong, healthy relationships and how to maintain them, even through difficult conversations. You can’t force anyone to do anything, you can only invite.
Hiring
- It’s never too early to talk about hiring. The earlier you have a plan, the better.
Culture
- Culture is the foundation of everything in a school, but there is so much to it, it can be overwhelming. We’ll talk about how to make it work with small steps that make a difference.
Why Jethro took so long to write the book
Launch Party

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Al Kingsley is CEO of NetSupport and also serves as the Chair of two Multi Academy Trusts and a local School Governors’ Leadership Group in the UK. Al is a sought-after speaker and popular podcaster (NetSupport Radio). His book My Secret #EdTech Diary is not only a walk through his 30 year history in education, but also expresses a new way of thinking about technology in education.

How technology use has changed.
It’s about the usage of the technology.
Redefining what our measures of impact are!
No two schools are the same.
Reflective practice.
How do we know it is being used effectively?
Be realistic in how we are interacting.
Tech is part of what we already do!
How do you decide which tools to use when?
Pedagogical expertise to decide when to use tools
Trust the people that are in the position to help the kids.
Empower teachers to make choices, but peer assess of colleagues and what they are using.
The role of students regarding ed tech.
Student voice is critical in evaluating ed tech.
Competence is not the same thing as wisdom.
Digital Citizenship
routine, connectivity with a familiar face, were vital during the emergency remote teaching
Learner to learner engagement is important.
Skills rather than knowledge are what unlocks the future.
We need to get kids to the right place to learn.
No matter how much technology grows, it requires humans to be focused.
It’s not about the technology, it’s about the behavior.
How to utilize technology. Pause and make sure all stakeholders understand why, how, and what you’re using.
Always expect to invest at the same amount in professional development as you do in the tool itself.
Less is more.
Do you have any advice for these education leaders to do their best with the technology investment they’ve made in their schools? Is that advice different in 2022 than it was in 2019?
What are the one or two changes in technology use (or even new tech tools) that would make a real difference in mental health and self-actualization of students?
What security aspects should schools look out for when buying/reviewing technology?

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Motivations
School safety
Student safety
Political / religious orthodoxy
Legal Issues
First Amendment rights
Federal / State Legislation
- 2019 – Restoring, Enhancing, Securing, and Promoting Our Nation’s Safety Efforts (RESPONSE) Act
- Includes a provision called “Children’s Internet Protection” amendment that encourages districts to invest in programs that detect “online activities of minors who are at risk of committing self-harm or extreme violence against others.” Under the bill, almost all federally funded schools would be required to install software of this kind.
Targets
Teachers
Students
Parents
Types of Monitoring
Publicly-Available Content
Private Accounts
Messaging Tools
Hacking / Unauthorized Intrusion
Risks
Invasion of privacy / overreach
Chilling of speech
Abuse of power against teachers, students, and/or parents
Tools
Human Resources / School Investigators
Software / Artificial Intelligence
Third Party Investigators
Parents
Resources
2022–03–03 Mother at center of Rochester Community Schools social media scandal speaks out

“https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2022/03/04/mother-at-center-of-social-media-scandal-against-rochester-community-schools-speaks-out/”
2022–02–25 Linewize Webinar Stresses Need for K–12 Safety Monitoring
“https://www.govtech.com/education/k–12/linewize-webinar-stresses-need-for-k–12-safety-monitoring”
2022–02–24 Lee County school district accused of spying on social media
“https://www.winknews.com/2022/02/24/lee-county-school-district-accused-of-spying-on-social-media/”
2021–12–17 Utah officials urge social media monitoring after school threats
“https://kutv.com/news/local/officials-urge-social-media-monitoring-after-school-threats”
2021–12–16 Schools ask parents to help monitor student’s social media amid vague threats
“https://kutv.com/news/local/schools-ask-parents-to-help-monitor-students-social-media-amid-shooting-threats”
2021–11–02 Berkeley County school leaders encourage parents to learn apps, monitor social media to keep children safe
“https://www.counton2.com/news/local-news/berkeley-county-news/berkeley-county-school-leaders-encourage-parents-to-learn-apps-monitor-social-media-to-keep-children-safe/”
2019–11–07 A Newly introduced Federal Bill prompts Texas schools to begin to monitor students social media
“https://www.newschannel10.com/2019/11/07/river-road-isd-begins-utilize-software-monitor-students-social-media/”
2019–11–01 New Bill Would Require Schools to Monitor Social Media
“https://www.govtech.com/education/new-bill-would-require-schools-to-monitor-social-media.html”
2019–08–22 School Safety Package Includes AI, Social Media Monitoring
“https://www.govtech.com/biz/school-safety-package-includes-ai-social-media-monitoring.html”
2021–09–03 Texas school district to monitor employees’ social media accounts
“https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/texas-social-media-austin-school-district”
2021–09–02 Texas schools are surveilling students online, often without their knowledge or consent
“https://www.dallasnews.com/news/investigations/2021/09/02/texas-schools-are-watching-millions-of-students-online-often-without-their-knowledge-or-consent/”
2019–05–30 Schools Are Deploying Massive Digital Surveillance Systems. The Results Are Alarming
“https://www.edweek.org/technology/schools-are-deploying-massive-digital-surveillance-systems-the-results-are-alarming/2019/05”
2015–07–31 How one school district is monitoring social media of students and teachers
“https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2015/07/31/how-one-school-district-is-monitoring-social-media-of-students-and-teachers/”
2013–09–18 California school district hires firm to monitor students’ social media
“https://www.cnn.com/2013/09/14/us/california-schools-monitor-social-media/index.html”
2013–09–15 Calif. school district monitors kids’ social media
“https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/15/school-district-monitors-social-media/2817299/”
[n.d.] Schools: Social Media Surveillance
“https://www.brennancenter.org/issues/protect-liberty-security/social-media/schools-social-media-surveillance”

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The TikTok Video about how to drive a captured Russian Tank: https://twitter.com/JoshuaPotash/status/1498332884121399307 - Our question today: Can Congress eliminate some of the worst content online without breaking the Internet? - Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act of 2022 or the EARN IT Act of 2022 - First introduced in 2019 and has garnered bipartisan support - Legislation is designed to reduce or eliminate "child sexual abuse material" (CSAM). - Main provisions: - Establishes the National Commission on Online Child Sexual Exploitation Prevention. The commission must develop best practices for interactive computer services providers (e.g., Facebook and Twitter) to prevent, reduce, and respond to the online sexual exploitation of children. - Limits the liability protections of interactive computer service providers with respect to claims alleging violations of child sexual exploitation laws. - Replaces various statutory references to "child pornography" and "material that contains child pornography" with "child sexual abuse material." - Makes changes to the reporting requirements for electronic communication service providers and remote computing service providers (providers) who report apparent instances of crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. - Among the changes, the bill requires providers to report facts and circumstances sufficient to identify and locate each minor and each involved individual. - The bill also increases the amount of time that providers must preserve the contents of a report. - Potentially significant amendment of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act - Section 230 originally adopted to shield online service providers from legal liability for statements made by users - Provision is directly responsible for huge growth in services that rely upon user-created content (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) - EARN IT Act would remove Section 230 protection for online services that do not adhere to state laws regarding the identification and removal of CSAM material - Legislation was approved unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee but may face a tougher vote in the full Senate - Concerns - Impact on personal privacy - Commission could conclude that a service that uses end-to-end encryption is not following best practices because E2EE makes it harder to detect the movement of CSAM - Patchwork of state standards could impose significant burdens on smaller services and companies - Online service providers may feel forced to examine user content before transmission - EARN IT Act could effectively turn online service providers into law enforcement agents, raising significant Fourth Amendment search and seizure issues - Risk of overreaction by tech companies and the deletion of a much wider range of content than is necessary - Adoption of SESTA/FOSTA led to extensive deletion of content by and about sex workers, driving them underground and increasing the dangers of sex work - Resources - #2022-02-23 Unintended Consequences of the EARN IT Act "https://www.americanactionforum.org/insight/unintended-consequences-of-the-earn-it-act/" - #2022-02-11 The EARN IT Act Would Give Criminal Defendants a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card "https://slate.com/technology/2022/02/earn-it-act-fourth-amendment-violation.html" - #2022-02-11 A controversial bill to protect kids online just advanced in the Senate. Here's what you should know "https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/11/tech/earn-it-act-senate/index.html" - #2022-02-10 A bill aiming to protect children online reignites a battle over privacy and free speech "https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/02/10/senators-earn-it-privacy-children-safety/" - #2020-08-25 The New EARN IT Act Still Threatens Encryption and Child Exploitation Prosecutions "https://cdt.org/insights/the-new-earn-it-act-still-threatens-encryption-and-child-exploitation-prosecutions/" - #2020-03-03 Congress, Justice Department take aim at tech, hoping to halt spread of child sexual exploitation online "https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/03/03/section-230-justice-department-congress/" - #2018-03-21 Senate approves anti-sex-trafficking bill "https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/21/politics/sex-trafficking-bill/index.html"

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Get resources from Fred’s Presentations at ASTE
ASTE is back in action!
Educational technologists coming out of the classroom.
crowdsourcing in edu is moving forward regardless of where you are.
How can we share what we’re doing with each other without feeling overwhelmed and alone.
Personalized learning is crowd-sourced learning
stunned at the level of interaction from our people.
Best takeaway from this conference: extending more into the student-led.
Really focusing on individual kids.
We haven’t had the connection, so it needs to be the center.
Breaking the walls down.
The culture and community in Alaska.
What can we do to extend the learning beyond the four-day conference.
Focusing on going forward - rollover.
What was yesterday cannot possibly be tomorrow
Don’t just fix something, find out why it broke.
Alaska Society for Technology in Education 2022 Annual Conference
“https://www.aste.org/”
“Where Technology and Education Converge” – “Promoting access to technology, connectivity to information resources, and technology integration for all”
Theme for 2022 Conference: “Crowdsourced”
“https://web.cvent.com/event/cdc41d91–1f61–46e0–8756–7789f8ef8ee0/regProcessStep1”
Conference Partners
- Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
- Alaska Librarians Association
- Alaska Council for the Social Studies
- Computer Science Teachers of Alaska
Wide range of tech company sponsors
iDidaContest
- ASTE recognizes the best photos, movies, documentaries, podcasts, music, books, apps and things through its annual digital media contest. This year, ASTE is partnering with the Alaska Council for Social Studies to offer several Social Studies themed categories.
Presentations by Frederick Lane (10th Anniversary!)
2022–02–19 – “Don’t TikTok Back to Me”
The widespread use of mobile devices and social media by students poses profound challenges for educators. At the most basic level, there are issues of distraction and student honesty. But other more serious concerns have emerged. Virtually every student carries a powerful tool for recording the world around them and publishing nearly instantly to a global audience. Moreover, the extensive use of remote instruction has given students endless opportunities to record their instructors. Some students have taken such footage to make mocking or even defamatory social media posts about their teachers. These are deeply challenging issues that require a response not only from school communities but also political leaders and social media companies.
2022–02–20 – “Cybertraps for Educators 3.0”
Resource page for Hawai’i HSTA lectures
“https://www.cybertraps.com/hsta–2022-additional-resources/”
This presentation is a preview of my June 2022 publication of the third edition of my book, “Cybertraps for Educators.” In addition to providing updates of new hardware and software that has emerged over the past two years, “Cybertraps for Educators 3.0” reorganizes digital risks for teachers into three distinct categories: personal, professional, and criminal. Educators will get a thorough overview of current cybertraps, the applicable provisions of the Model Code of Ethics for Educators, and practical steps that they can take to minimize their personal and professional risks.
2022–02–21 – “The Cyberethics of Remote Instruction”
It turns out that nothing will drive the roll-out of remote edtech than a global pandemic. We have all had a crash course in the use of remote communication and educational tools. Although the majority of schools have returned to in-person instruction, the persistence of the pandemic and the threat of future viruses means that remote instruction, to one degree or another, is here to stay (particularly in geographically-expansive states like Alaska). What are the unique challenges and concerns arising from remote instruction? What did we learn–or what should we have learned–from the pandemic ?
2022–02–21 – “Does Your Social Media Feed Have Any FERPA Violations?”
The Family Education Records Privacy Act (https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/) is designed to protect the privacy rights of students. As with so many other things, the combination of social media and mobile devices has made adherence to this law much more challenging. Even accidental disclosure of personally identifying information on school records can have serious legal and personal consequences. This presentation will offer a basic overview of FERPA, discuss the potential cybertraps for educators, schools, and school districts, and offer educators practical information for avoiding unnecessary mistakes.

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Dr. Bryant Paul Associate Professor in the Media School at Indiana University, focusing on speech regarding sex and sexuality.
Pornography vs obscenity
Obscenity definition is constantly changing.
Pornography is not necessarily obscenity.
One-handed economist quote by Harry Truman
Variable obscenity.
Why we should ban all books in school.
Resources
2022–01–24 Greg Abbott’s Parental Bill of Rights puts targets on Texas teachers’ backs

“https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/reidout-blog/greg-abbott-parental-bill-rights-texas-rcna13286”
2021–11–09 Texas officials to target obscene content in school libraries at governor’s request
“https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/11/09/texas-officials-target-obscene-content-school-libraries/6343346001/”
2021–11–02 Texas governor decries school library books with ‘pornographic or obscene material’
“https://www.kut.org/education/2021–11–02/texas-governor-decries-school-library-books-with-pornographic-or-obscene-material”
[n.d.] A GUIDE TO TEXAS OBSCENITY LAWS
“https://wilderfirm.com/guide-to-texas-obscenity-laws/”

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Jeff Wright is the founder of LimitlessLife Media.
He wants to empower others to be limitless.
- What is an NFT?
- What is a Blockchain?
- Ethereum & Smart Contracts
- Digital Assets can now be sold for money.
- Intelligent NFTs - use Artificial Intelligence. Allows for interaction with NFTs instead.
- NFT is about flexing.
- Hopefully it will be in alignment with our core values.
- How will it apply to our day-to-day lives?
- Look for mentors not influencers. Look for collaborators.
- 1.7 Million views on web3 metaverse chat youtube video in just a few months.
- It’s about getting attention.
- What about not being able to forget our mistakes and bad decisions?
- NFTs and Education from EdSurge
- There’s going to be huge downsides at some point. We don’t have the answers
- Smart contracts and getting royalties off of the use of NFTs.
- Microsoft Teams Mixed Reality
- Reality isn’t what it used to be. NFT pins down the reality of something.

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News Items
- New Jersey toddler Ayaansh Kumar bought nearly $2,000 in Walmart furniture, unbeknownst to his parents
  https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/01/25/new-jersey-toddler-walmart-cart-online-shopping/
  - Mother Madhu Kumar shopped for furniture and other household goods but did not actually purchase them
  - Her son Ayaansh (22-months) was playing on her phone and somehow would up in the Walmart app, where he executed the purchases
  - His parents tried to cancel the undelivered orders but were unable to do so
  - They’ve arranged to return the items (most of them) to Walmart for refunds
  - Parents will install passcodes and prevent the automatic loading of payment info
How It Happens
- This is a problem that has been around since the rise of the world wide web (and probably even before that)
- A kid with access to a parent credit card could use it online to make purchases, since there are no reliable tools for checking identity online
- More recently, credit cards are stored by online merchants or in apps, making it much easier for unauthorized purchases to occur
- So-called “bait apps” aggressively encourage children to make in-app purchases to enhance their playing experience
- Problem has spread to smart speakers (Alexa,
Legal Issues
- Parents are legally liable for the purchases made by their children when children use their parents’ credit cards
  - Credit card companies that promise zero liability for unauthorized purchases may offer refunds but others will only do so if the card is lost or stolen
- Refunds may be available
  - However, some service providers or game companies may refuse to issue refunds if payment is made through a third-party (the Apple Store, for instance)
  - Refunds may also be denied if you have made your child an authorized user
- If the online service provider is guilty of fraud or inducements aimed at children, the Federal Trade Commission may order refunds
  - In 2014, the FTC settled a class action lawsuit with Google, Apple, and Amazon, in which all three companies paid millions in refunds.
Recovery / Restitution
- Try to cancel pending orders
- Request refunds from the merchant
- Dispute the charges with your credit card
- Contact the Federal Trade Commission
- Set up a GoFundMe?
Prevention
- Supervision and Education
  - Browser Filters
  - Parental Control Accounts
    - Apple’s Ask to Buy and Family Sharing sends a request to the card holder each time a child tries to make a purchase or download. You can eliminate in-app purchases entirely by turning on Screen Time on their devices.
  - Child-Specific Browsers
  - Help your child(ren) understand the use of credit cards and possible consequences
- Clear Boundaries
  - Set up separate Apple IDs for children (make sure you know the password)
  - Turn on “guest mode” on your device (if available) before handing it to a child
  - Require password or biometric confirmation by an adult for purchases
- Financial Restrictions
  - Do not link your credit card to apps used by your child
  - If your child is an authorized user, see if your credit card company will let you set a limit on his or her spending, or create real-time notifications for purchases
  - Consider using a debit card or topping-off card for in-app purchases
- Device protection
  - Make sure that your device locks within a short time – 10–15 seconds
  - Use a password that is complicated/long enough that it cannot easily be memorized by a watching child
  - Try not to leave mobile devices unattended
Resources
- Advice and Tips - #2021–08–03 How to protect your credit card from small kids
  https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/save-credit-card-from-games-small-kids/40997/
- 2021–01–26 Who’s responsible for your kids’ unauthorized credit card charges?
  https://www.cnbc.com/select/whos-responsible-for-kids-unauthorized-credit-card-charges/
- 2019–08–23 Children and Internet: How to avoid accidental purchases
  https://www.santander.com/en/press-room/dp/children-and-internet-how-to-avoid-accidental-purchases
- 2019–01–25 5 Ways to Curb Kids’ In-App Purchases on the iPhone
  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/5-ways-to-curb-kids-in-app-purchases-on-the-iphone
- 2018–08–18 How To Prevent Your Kid From Ordering $400 Worth of Toys on Amazon
  https://thepointsguy.com/news/how-to-prevent-your-kid-from-ordering-toys-on-amazon/
- 2018–04–18 How to Stop Your Kids From Buying Stuff in Fortnite
  https://lifehacker.com/how-to-stop-your-kids-from-buying-stuff-in-fortnite–1825339110
- 2014–03–31 Apple Lets Parents Get Refunds for In-App Purchases
  https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/apple-lets-parents-get-refunds-in-app-purchases-n67811
- 2013–04–16 How to Prevent Your Kids From Spending Thousands of Dollars on In-App Purchases
  https://www.howtogeek.com/142491/how-to-prevent-your-kids-from-spending-thousands-of-dollars-on-in-app-purchases/
- Cautionary Tales - #2021–05–07 A mom panicked when her 4-year-old bought $2,600 in SpongeBob Popsicles. Good Samaritans are paying.
  https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2021/05/07/spongebob-popsicles-noah/
- 2021–02–16 Boy, 7, accidentally spends £1,200 on online games, including £800 on virtual cat food
  https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/boy–7-accidentally-spends–1200–23508222
- 2020–12–13 Child spends $16K on iPad game in-app purchases
  https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/12/13/kid-spends–16k-on-in-app-purchases-for-ipad-game-sonic-forces
- 2020–03–11 My kids spent £600 on their iPads without my knowledge #Roblox
  https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/mar/11/my-kids-spent–600-on-their-ipads-without-my-knowledge
- 2019–07–15 ‘My son spent £3,160 in one game’
  https://www.bbc.com/news/technology–48925623
- 2018–03–23 Parents Are Sharing the Hilariously Random Things Their Kids Accidentally Purchased Online
  https://www.workingmother.com/parents-are-sharing-the-hilariously-random-things-their-kids-accidentally-purchased-online
- 2017–01–27 Amazon’s Alexa started ordering people dollhouses after hearing its name on TV
  https://www.theverge.com/2017/1/7/14200210/amazon-alexa-tech-news-anchor-order-dollhouse
- 2016–11–23 11 WTF Items That Kids Ordered Online Without Telling Their Parents
  https://cafemom.com/parenting/202014–11_wtf_items_that_kids
- 2016–04–24 A car, flights and a 6ft Womble cutout: What kids accidentally bought on their parents’ phones
  https://metro.co.uk/2016/04/24/a-car-flights-and-a–6ft-womble-cutout-what-kids-accidentally-bought-on-their-parents-phones–5837975/
- 2013–07–13 U.S. toddler accidentally buys car while playing with dad’s smartphone
  https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/u-s-toddler-accidentally-buys-car-while-playing-with-dad-s-smartphone–1.1365693
- 2013–03–02 5 year old accidentally spends $2570 on iPad in-app purchases
  https://www.slashgear.com/5-year-old-accidentally-spends–2570-on-ipad-in-app-purchases–02272254/

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Activism - Activities that students engage in that are in the scope of the first amendment.
- News Item
- #2022–01–11 A CNY gay teen shares his ‘biggest challenge’; school’s response sets off a storm
“https://www.syracuse.com/schools/2022/01/a-cny-gay-teen-shares-his-biggest-challenge-schools-response-sets-off-a-storm.html”
- #2022–01–10 Crisis in the Classroom: Gay high school senior censored by school publication
“https://cnycentral.com/news/local/crisis-in-the-classroom-gay-tully-high-school-senior-censored-by-school-publication”
- Gay student named Tyler Johnson chosen for a senior spotlight profile in school newspaper
- One question was to identify his biggest challenge
- “So, I said that my biggest challenge was essentially growing up gay and having to navigate through bullying and navigate through life itself, and like, all the negative experiences I’ve had from that,” said Tyler.
- High school principal asked him to change his answer or it would not be printed
- Johnson said the interaction with the principal illustrated his point
- Johnson made a TikTok video describing the incident, which has been viewed by thousands of people
- https://www.tiktok.com/@_tylerrayjohnson_/video/7050249865988771119
- Shortly afterwards, the district’s superintendent overruled the principal, saying that Johnson’s original answer would be published. He also promised several initiatives to better support LGBTQ+ students.
- The American President Final Speech
- Question: How have smartphones and social media changed the power dynamic in schools?
- Anecdote
- Fred’s underground high school newspaper
- Positives
- Activism
- Education
- Accountability
- Negatives
- Distraction
- False Allegations
- Hate Speech / Threats
- Radicalization
- Legal Concerns
- 1st Amendment
- Privacy
- Resources
- #2022–01–14 Students, seeing lax coronavirus protocols, walk out and call in sick to protest in-person classes
“https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/01/14/students-walkout-covid-safety/”
- #2021–12–27 ‘My perspective matters’: Students say activism helped them find their voice
“https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/12/27/boston-quincy-student-activism-power-change”
- #2020–11–05 Student Voice: How young people use social media to engage civically
“https://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/student-voices/student-voice-how-young-people-use-social-media-to-engage-civically/”
- #2021–06–07 While Students Use Social Media to Speak to Power, Schools Tutor Them in Slavish Sycophancy
“https://thewire.in/education/students-social-media-modi-cancel-board-exams-schools-sycophancy”
- #2021–05–13 ‘Make them listen’: Baltimore-area students use social media to campaign for change
“https://www.baltimoresun.com/education/bs-prem-md-students-social-media-activism–20210506–20210513-vuisz4a6bjg63evswcbl7lqk5a-story.html”
- #2020–07–06 Can students use social media to make positive change?
“https://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/daily-videos/can-students-use-social-media-to-make-positive-change/”
- #2018–03–19 Can Schools Discipline Students for Social Media Use Outside of School?
“https://www.edweek.org/education/opinion-can-schools-discipline-students-for-social-media-use-outside-of-school/2018/03”
- #2018–01–06 Teach Students To Use Social Media (The Right Way) And The Possibilities Are Endless
“https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/01/26/579955559/teach-students-to-use-social-media-the-right-way-and-the-possibilities-are-endle”
- #2017–12 How Social Media is Reshaping Today’s Education System
“https://csic.georgetown.edu/magazine/social-media-reshaping-todays-education-system/”
- #2017–03–10 SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE STUDENT/TEACHER RELATIONSHIP: THE PROS AND CONS OF ESTABLISHING CONNECTIONS WITH A GRADE SCHOOL STUDENT
“https://www.theedadvocate.org/social-media-and-the-studentteacher-relationship-the-pros-and-cons-of-establishing-connections-with-a-grade-school-student/”
- #2016–10–13 Infographic: The Use of Social Media in School
“https://www.powerschool.com/resources/blog/infographic-use-social-media-school/”

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Dr. Glenn Lipson, a diplomate in forensic psychology, has spent three decades preventing different forms of violence. He works with the district attorneys, schools, and civil cases where there were claims of abuse by such individuals as the clergy and teachers. As an expert witness, speaker, and advisor, he has testified in court martials, regulatory hearings and submitted briefs through counsel to the United States Supreme Court.

Dr. Lipson founded MRC (Making Right Choices) and the NASDTEC Academy, offering online courses that address interpersonal violence and prevention. As a public speaker, he has presented for the US State Department and US Army. He has received the Doug Bates Award from NASDTEC for his international contribution to making schools safer.

Glenn’s previous podcast episode
Background on the shooting in Michigan
Hindsight bias - we can look back and see all the ways they handled it incorrectly.
Procedures that have been in place.
Have particular training involved.
Handbook of threat assessment
Jim Cawood
RAGE-V
What role does that game play in the formation of someone’s identity?
Coolidge effect- highly stimulating encourages us to continue to engage in that behavior.
GVRO - Gun Violence Restraining Orders
People are trained within their area of expertise.
Trauma-informed schools
not punitive but facilitative reactions to kids
NTAC secret service
Ways to do things that.
No child is safe if every student is not safe.
The weapons effect
Polyvagel theory
CASEL
Minister of Loneliness in UK
The Trevor Project
If you’re not connecting with someone in person, you’re going to connect more with people online.

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Glenn's previous podcast episode
Background on the shooting in Michigan
Hindsight bias - we can look back and see all the ways they handled it incorrectly.
Procedures that have been in place.
Have particular training involved.
Handbook of threat assessment
Jim Cawood
RAGE-V
What role does that game play in the formation of someone's identity?
Coolidge effect- highly stimulating encourages us to continue to engage in that behavior.
GVRO - Gun Violence Restraining Orders
People are trained within their area of expertise.
Trauma-informed schools
not punitive but facilitative reactions to kids
NTAC secret service
Ways to do things that.
No child is safe if every student is not safe.
The weapons effect
Polyvagel theory
CASEL
Minister of Loneliness in UK
The Trevor Project
If you're not connecting with someone in person, you're going to connect more with people online.

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Show Notes
- News Item:
  - Florida representative from Naples, FL files HB 1055, which would require schools to consider and vote on a plan to install cameras at the front of every classroom
  - Any installed system would have the ability to record audio and video throughout the classroom, except any area in which children might change clothing.
  - Schools would be required to maintain video archives for at least three months, after which the video could be destroyed unless a request to review was made, or other legal proceeding.
  - Schools would required to blur the faces of any children not part of an "incident" under investigation.
  - Video may not be used to evaluate teachers
  - No provision for funding
    - Motivations for Camera Proposals
  - Student Safety
  - Teacher Safety
  - Parental Surveillance of Teaching Methods and Curricula
  - Teacher Evaluations
    - Potential Downsides
  - Financial and Logistical
    - Installation of Surveillance Systems Can Be Expensive
    - Video Storage Requirements Can Be Large - Legal
    - New duty of care for schools
      - Was video system properly installed?
      - Was video properly archived?
      - If system was not running, why not? * Possible evidence in myriad proceedings * Further temptation for obstruction of justice and spoliation - Privacy
    - Once Data Has Been Collected, It Is Very Difficult to Limit Its Use and Misuse
    - We Should Always Be Reluctant to Collect Data in the First Place
    - Will video be used to evaluate which students are friends or dislike each other?
    - Will cameras be powerful enough to read papers, notes, passwords being entered into devices, etc.
    - Risk of voyeuristic misuse - Mission Creep
    - Use of video to evaluate teachers
    - Will Students Be Graded on Attentiveness?
    - Anti-cheating tool? - Broader social issues
    - Trust in teachers and the educational system
    - Over-empowering small but highly vocal groups within the community
    - Furthering the culture of surveillance
    - Training children to accept surveillance as a constant fact of life (corporatist approach) - Has Dystopia Already Arrived?
    - Extensive surveillance already in schools (but typically not in classrooms)
    - Classrooms are already filled with potential "surveillance" cameras
    - Remote instruction has emboldened some parents
      - Resources
  - Florida HB 1055
    https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/1055/BillText/Filed/PDF
  - 2021-12-30 Proposal Would Lead to Surveillance Cameras in Every Classroom, and Teachers to Wear Microphones
    https://flaglerlive.com/171423/florida-gop-bill-cameras/
  - 2021-07-20 The Absurd Proposal to Put Bodycams on Teachers Is ... Feasible?
    https://www.wired.com/story/the-absurd-proposal-to-put-bodycams-on-teachers-is-feasible/
  - 2021-07-08 Tech Companies Are Already Building Tucker Carlson’s School Surveillance Fever Dream
    https://www.vice.com/en/article/bvzyaa/tech-companies-are-already-building-tucker-carlsons-school-surveillance-fever-dream
  - 2021-07-08 Tucker Carlson calls for teachers to wear body cameras to prevent critical race theory teaching
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/tucker-carlson-teachers-race-theory-b1879886.html
  - 2021-06-11 ‘Watchdog’ group wants teachers to wear bodycams to assure they don’t teach Critical Race Theory in Nevada district
    https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-bodycam-school-teachers-critical-race-theory-nevada-20210611-3zqbbhzmprbqxpbwk6mbsjjxvy-story.html
  - 2021-06-11 Nevada group is pushing for teacher BODY CAMERAS to make sure they're not teaching students critical race theory
    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9677295/Nevada-group-wants-teachers-wear-body-cameras-stop-CRT.html
  - 2017-02-09 I would never wear a body camera while teaching in school. Here’s why
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/feb/09/never-wear-body-camera-in-school-teaching
  - 2017-02-08 Should schools give teachers body cams?
    https://nypost.com/2017/02/08/should-schools-give-teachers-body-cams/
  - [n.d.] Calla Body Worn Cameras
    https://www.calla.co/

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Paul Shaw received his doctorate from University of South Carolina.

He has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, Dean of Men at St. Leo College, assistant superintendent, and superintendent.

In 2000, he Was recognized as State Superintendent of the Year in South Carolina and State Superintendent of the Year in Georgia in 2010.

Served on the Executive Board for the American Association of School Administrators, teach part-time for Piedmont University, and currently serve as Director of Educator Ethics for the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Paul is married to Cindy and we have a son (Brian), daughter (Ashley) and 4 grandchildren-Madison, Rogers, Keegan, and Shaw.

1/2 a percent of teachers are reported for teacher misconduct
Just a few educators that put a black eye on Atlanta public schools and teachers
Better monitoring now than before.
Difference between model code of ethics and a code of conduct.
Georgia code of ethics is a list of “thou shalt not’s”
The experience of COVID–19 has helped us be prepared.
Worked with a lot of HR people in the state to help make better guidelines.
Teachers should be professional at all times.
Ethical behavior is doing what’s right even when nobody is looking.
Teach the kids, protect the kids, conduct ourselves appropriately.
If in doubt, at least talk it over with someone.
Teachers are quick to go to social media.
You could lose your effectiveness in the classroom because of your political view, and so you need to be careful when they’re known as a teacher rather than something else.

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The Problem
https://twitter.com/kalane99/status/1471847077810515972
In the wake of virtually every school shooting, dozens (if not hundreds) of copycat threats are made to schools around the country.
Thanks to prevalence of mobile devices, threats are being made by students in virtually all grade levels
Such threats can initially be anonymous, although law enforcement has resources that can often reveal the initial poster
Threat can originate from anywhere in the world
A significant problem is ease with which such threats are reshared
School districts face problem that they cannot be wrong once about seriousness of threat
The intent of the poster (“just a joke”) or the poster’s inability to carry out the threat are NOT defenses
Vectors for Threats
Phone / Voicemail
Email
Social Media
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Snapchat
- WhatsApp
- TikTok
- Etc.
Why Is This Happening?
Makers of copycat threats seek notoriety and enjoy the chaos they cause
Correlation between size of tragedy and number of copycat threats
Parents have a responsibility to supervise their children and warn about the potential consequences of making threats of violence
Effects
Disruption of routine
School cancellations
Mental health Issues
How Can We Reduce This Behavior?
Culture of cybersafety
Teachable Moments
- Students
- Parents
- School Community
Cooperation between schools and law enforcement
Increased police presence?
What Are Social Media Platforms Doing?
https://twitter.com/TikTokComms/status/1471572096111239175
Algorithms and Human Inspection of Possible TOS violations
Automation to take down content that violates guidelines
Safety teams that coordinate with law enforcement
Can social media respond quickly enough?
Consequences for Children Who Make Threats
School sanctions
Counseling
Criminal proceedings
- Fines
- Jail Time
Resources
2021–12–18 At least a dozen students are ARRESTED nationwide following ‘school shooting TikTok challenge’ after copycat Ethan Crumbley massacre threats

“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–10324583/A-dozen-students-ARRESTED-nationwide-following-Michigan-copycat-school-shooting-TikTok-challenge.html”
2021–12–17 Copycat threats after Oxford school shooting leave juveniles facing drastic consequences
“https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/12/17/oxford-school-shooting-copycat-threats/8932506002/”
2021–12–17 Threats of school violence on TikTok spur educators into action
“https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2021/1217/Threats-of-school-violence-on-TikTok-spur-educators-into-action
” - #2021–12–17 Amid alleged TikTok school shooting threats, here’s what we know about app’s response
“https://www.recordonline.com/story/tech/2021/12/17/tiktok-alleged-school-threat-guidelines/8937761002/”
2021–12–16 School threats and their impact on students’ mental health
“https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/michigan/school-threats-and-their-impact-on-students-mental-health”
2021–12–16 School threats posted on TikTok deemed not credible; security beefs up across nation
“https://www.recordonline.com/story/news/nation/2021/12/16/tiktok-violence-threats-schools-united-states-security/8933323002/”
2021–12–13 Extra officers at JL Mann high school after threatening Snapchat post
“https://www.wyff4.com/article/greenville-county-school-district-responds-to-threatening-post/38496240”
2021–12–10 What’s behind all the ‘non-credible’ school threats in Virginia?
“https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/law-enforcement-responds-to-school-threats”
2021–12–08 Multiple students charged in string of copycat threats after Oxford High shooting
“https://abcnews.go.com/US/multiple-students-charged-string-copycat-threats-oxford-high/story?id=81623370”
2021–12–08 Two people in custody, charged with threatening metro Atlanta schools
“https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/loganville-high-school-atlanta-public-schools-student-arrested-threats/85–23e5e8ec–3f51–499b-b361–45ddd5109579”
2021–12–08 Richview Middle student arrested over threat posted to social media
“https://clarksvillenow.com/local/richview-middle-student-arrested-over-threat-posted-to-social-media/”
2021–12–08 Police arrest 13-year-old after second threat on Maple Valley Schools this week
“https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2021/12/08/police-arrest–13-year-old-after-another-threat-maple-valley-schools/6431790001/”
2021–12–03 Since Oxford Shooting, At Least 519 Schools Have Closed Nationwide Due to Threats
“https://www.newsweek.com/since-oxford-shooting-least–519-schools-have-closed-nationwide-due-threats–1655897”
2021–12–03 13-year-old in custody after threat on Holt Junior High School
“https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2021/12/03/13-year-old-custody-after-threat-holt-junior-high/8855537002/”
2021–12–02 Copycat threats of violence force some school districts in Michigan to close Thursday
“https://www.wtvr.com/news/national/copycat-threats-of-violence-force-some-school-districts-in-michigan-to-close-thursday”
2021–11–20 Threats against school were hoaxes to create ‘fear and panic,’ Wayne County officials say
“https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/wayne-county-news/threats-against-high-school-were-hoaxes-to-create-fear-and-panic-wayne-county-officials-say/”
2018–02–20 Copycat school threats boil over following major shootings; how do we stop them?
“https://www.cleveland19.com/story/37552106/copycat-threats-following-school-shooting-web/”
2018–02–16 Copycat Threats and Jittery Nerves Force School Shutdowns Across the U.S.
“https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/us/school-threats-closings.html”
Safe Kids Inc.
“https://safekidsinc.com/”

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Sini Ninkovic, who is today better known as “The Untethered Guy”, is a Berkeley MBA, and Silicon Valley professional turned digital wellness guru.

After a lifelong struggle with digital dependency, Sini quit his job at Apple to live in a van and untether from tech. Along the way he learned that the key to inner harmony wasn’t found in removing tech, but in redefining his relationship with it. The tools he discovered for himself were so transformative that sharing them with the world has become his personal mission.

After releasing his book Untethered, Sini started traveling globally as a speaker and digital wellness educator. In his engaging talks he teaches our tech dilemma and shares a long term future where we overcome distraction and truly embrace our devices without becoming tethered to them.

How Sini arrived in Austria as a refugee.
As an adult while still playing games roommates said there was something wrong.
At 24, finally realized that he was addicted to technology.
Games are no better now than they were, but they are better at sucking you in.
Working at Apple - but not knowing what he’s doing afterwards.
Silent meditation retreat.
Redefining your relationship with technology.
Inner voice told me what to do: 1. learn language. 2. write a book 3. combine those two.
Huge financial loss
How to have a healthy relationship with technology
Mindset upgrade - what if the smartphone is our first relationship with a piece of technology?
What would it be to be a 10!
We are all seeking an emotional connection.
Reduce the effects of algorithms.
Mindset upgrades
Smartphone is the average of our 5–10 most used apps.
Drained of willpower by the end of the day.
Use peers to help you do better.
Tristan Harris - The Social Dilemna

Untethered: Overcome Distraction, Build Healthy Digital Habits, and Use Tech to Create a Life You Love

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Some recent examples of school board cybertraps
AZ – Google Drive with “dossiers” on parents
- Great example of a classic cybertrap – unintended disclosure of Google Drive URL
CA – Board president arrested for possession of child pornography
MA – Hostile text messages
NJ – Anti-Muslim Facebook posts
TX – Alleged “doxxing” of parents
VT – Sharing of sexist and racist memes
WA – Transphobic comments by board member
CA – School board mocks parents during COVID, entire board resigned
Issues Raised
Relationship with Constituents
- Most boards have policies requiring board members to treat the public with dignity and respect.
Relationship with Educators and Staff
- Criticism of specific individuals is highly inappropriate, given board’s role in disciplinary proceedings
First Amendment Issues
- Board members have greater protection than school employees because of political process
- At the same time, the social media comments of public officials are subject to greater scrutiny
- Tension between supporting legally-adopted district policies and free speech
Public Records Obligations
- Board members should maintain a clear boundary between personal and board resources (i.e., devices, accounts, etc.)
- Regardless of what platform or service is used, public officials have a duty to preserve communications regarding official business
Understanding How Technology Works
- Privacy Settings
- Retweets and re-sharing inevitably will be seen as endorsements
Discipline of Board Members
- Can a board remove one of its members?
- Generally, no.
- However, board may take other actions, including:
  - Censure
  - Removal from positions of leadership
- Even criminal arrest and conviction is not grounds for removal from office
- However, access restrictions can be put in place
Misuse of School Resources
- Misconduct involving the use of school resources may raise legal issues for the district and possible criminal consequences for board member
Cybertraps of Family Members
- Generally not a legal concern for board members
- May pose political liability
Resources
2021–12–08 Protesters demand Salem-Keizer board member Danielle Bethell resign after Facebook post

“https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/education/2021/12/08/salem-keizer-lus-protesters-call-resignation-danielle-bethell-school-board-county-commission/6426974001/”
2021–12–06 Parents demand Hispanic Fort Worth school board member be fired after she ‘doxxed’ white parents who sued over COVID mask mandate and left abusive voicemails for one mother
“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–10280653/Hispanic-Fort-Worth-school-board-member-admits-doxxing-parents-sued-COVID-mask-mandate.html”
2021–12–02 Scottsdale Police determine no criminal conduct committed by school board member
“https://ktar.com/story/4792525/scottsdale-police-determine-no-criminal-conduct-committed-by-school-board-member/”
2021–11–09 The Greenburg files: Is there a file on you?
“https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/the-greenburg-files-is-there-a-file-on-you,270628”
2021–06–07 After sharing racially charged texts about West Roxbury families in October, a Boston school official has resigned

“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/07/metro/boston-appears-have-illegally-withheld-inappropriate-texts-after-career-ending-school-committee-meeting/”](
Some recent examples of school board cybertraps
AZ – Google Drive with “dossiers” on parents
- Great example of a classic cybertrap – unintended disclosure of Google Drive URL
CA – Board president arrested for possession of child pornography
MA – Hostile text messages about parents during public meeting
NJ – Anti-Muslim Facebook posts
TX – Alleged “doxxing” of parents
VT – Sharing of sexist and racist memes
WA – Transphobic comments by board member
Ethics Quote from Stephen M.R. Covey’s Speed of Trust
The problem in organizations, however, is that many “ethics” solutions focus on compliance. The compliance definition of “ethics” is not one of integrity or integratedness; it is a watered-down, devalued definition that essentially means “follow the rules.” Ethics training, therefore, is often focused exclusively on conformity to Sarbanes-Oxley and other regulatory and rules-based legislation—and not on clarifying values and fostering integrity to those values and to enduring principles. As a result, companies have huge, complex policy manuals. In addition, people can be duplicitous or even brutal in how they treat others, but unless they’re caught fudging on an expense account or violating some other measurable rule, as long as they’re getting results, most companies typically won’t do anything about it.
The SPEED of Trust: The One Thing that Changes Everything (p. 63). Free Press. Kindle Edition.
Issues Raised
Relationship with Constituents
- Most boards have policies requiring board members to treat the public with dignity and respect.
Relationship with Educators and Staff
- Criticism of specific individuals is highly inappropriate, given board’s role in disciplinary proceedings
First Amendment Issues
- Board members have greater protection than school employees because of political process
- At the same time, the social media comments of public officials are subject to greater scrutiny
- Tension between supporting legally-adopted district policies and free speech
Public Records Obligations
- Board members should maintain a clear boundary between personal and board resources (i.e., devices, accounts, etc.)
- Regardless of what platform or service is used, public officials have a duty to preserve communications regarding official business
Understanding How Technology Works
- Privacy Settings
- Retweets and re-sharing inevitably will be seen as endorsements
Discipline of Board Members
- Can a board remove one of its members?
- Generally, no.
- However, board may take other actions, including:
  - Censure
  - Removal from positions of leadership
- Even criminal arrest and conviction is not grounds for removal from office
- However, access restrictions can be put in place
Misuse of School Resources
- Misconduct involving the use of school resources may raise legal issues for the district and possible criminal consequences for board member
Cybertraps of Family Members
- Generally not a legal concern for board members
- May pose political liability
Resources
2021–12–08 Protesters demand Salem-Keizer board member Danielle Bethell resign after Facebook post

“https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/education/2021/12/08/salem-keizer-lus-protesters-call-resignation-danielle-bethell-school-board-county-commission/6426974001/”
2021–12–06 Parents demand Hispanic Fort Worth school board member be fired after she ‘doxxed’ white parents who sued over COVID mask mandate and left abusive voicemails for one mother
“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–10280653/Hispanic-Fort-Worth-school-board-member-admits-doxxing-parents-sued-COVID-mask-mandate.html”
2021–12–02 Scottsdale Police determine no criminal conduct committed by school board member
“https://ktar.com/story/4792525/scottsdale-police-determine-no-criminal-conduct-committed-by-school-board-member/”
2021–11–09 The Greenburg files: Is there a file on you?
“https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/the-greenburg-files-is-there-a-file-on-you,270628”
2021–06–07 After sharing racially charged texts about West Roxbury families in October, a Boston school official has resigned
“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/07/metro/boston-appears-have-illegally-withheld-inappropriate-texts-after-career-ending-school-committee-meeting/”
2021–02–19 Entire California school board out after disparaging parents on accidental Zoom broadcast
“https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-school-board-members-caught-disparaging-parents-accidental-zoom-broadcast-n1258351”
2016–11–11 Burlington School Board Rips Member’s Racist, Sexist Posts
“https://www.wamc.org/new-england-news/2016–11–11/burlington-school-board-rips-members-racist-sexist-posts”
2010–09–20 Utah Board member censured for making disparaging remarks toward an employee

"https://www.deseret.com/2011/9/21/20387657/member-of-canyons-school-district-board-of-education-member-issued-censure-by-fellow-board-members](
Some recent examples of school board cybertraps
AZ – Google Drive with “dossiers” on parents
- Great example of a classic cybertrap – unintended disclosure of Google Drive URL
CA – Board president arrested for possession of child pornography
MA – Hostile text messages about parents during public meeting
NJ – Anti-Muslim Facebook posts
TX – Alleged “doxxing” of parents
VT – Sharing of sexist and racist memes
WA – Transphobic comments by board member
Ethics Quote from Stephen M.R. Covey’s Speed of Trust
The problem in organizations, however, is that many “ethics” solutions focus on compliance. The compliance definition of “ethics” is not one of integrity or integratedness; it is a watered-down, devalued definition that essentially means “follow the rules.” Ethics training, therefore, is often focused exclusively on conformity to Sarbanes-Oxley and other regulatory and rules-based legislation—and not on clarifying values and fostering integrity to those values and to enduring principles. As a result, companies have huge, complex policy manuals. In addition, people can be duplicitous or even brutal in how they treat others, but unless they’re caught fudging on an expense account or violating some other measurable rule, as long as they’re getting results, most companies typically won’t do anything about it.
The SPEED of Trust: The One Thing that Changes Everything (p. 63). Free Press. Kindle Edition.
Issues Raised
Relationship with Constituents
- Most boards have policies requiring board members to treat the public with dignity and respect.
Relationship with Educators and Staff
- Criticism of specific individuals is highly inappropriate, given board’s role in disciplinary proceedings
First Amendment Issues
- Board members have greater protection than school employees because of political process
- At the same time, the social media comments of public officials are subject to greater scrutiny
- Tension between supporting legally-adopted district policies and free speech
Public Records Obligations
- Board members should maintain a clear boundary between personal and board resources (i.e., devices, accounts, etc.)
- Regardless of what platform or service is used, public officials have a duty to preserve communications regarding official business
Understanding How Technology Works
- Privacy Settings
- Retweets and re-sharing inevitably will be seen as endorsements
Discipline of Board Members
- Can a board remove one of its members?
- Generally, no.
- However, board may take other actions, including:
  - Censure
  - Removal from positions of leadership
- Even criminal arrest and conviction is not grounds for removal from office
- However, access restrictions can be put in place
Misuse of School Resources
- Misconduct involving the use of school resources may raise legal issues for the district and possible criminal consequences for board member
Cybertraps of Family Members
- Generally not a legal concern for board members
- May pose political liability
Resources
2021–12–08 Protesters demand Salem-Keizer board member Danielle Bethell resign after Facebook post

“https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/education/2021/12/08/salem-keizer-lus-protesters-call-resignation-danielle-bethell-school-board-county-commission/6426974001/”
2021–12–06 Parents demand Hispanic Fort Worth school board member be fired after she ‘doxxed’ white parents who sued over COVID mask mandate and left abusive voicemails for one mother
“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–10280653/Hispanic-Fort-Worth-school-board-member-admits-doxxing-parents-sued-COVID-mask-mandate.html”
2021–12–02 Scottsdale Police determine no criminal conduct committed by school board member
“https://ktar.com/story/4792525/scottsdale-police-determine-no-criminal-conduct-committed-by-school-board-member/”
2021–11–09 The Greenburg files: Is there a file on you?
“https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/the-greenburg-files-is-there-a-file-on-you,270628”
2021–06–07 After sharing racially charged texts about West Roxbury families in October, a Boston school official has resigned
“https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/07/metro/boston-appears-have-illegally-withheld-inappropriate-texts-after-career-ending-school-committee-meeting/”
2021–02–19 Entire California school board out after disparaging parents on accidental Zoom broadcast
“https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-school-board-members-caught-disparaging-parents-accidental-zoom-broadcast-n1258351”
2016–11–11 Burlington School Board Rips Member’s Racist, Sexist Posts
“https://www.wamc.org/new-england-news/2016–11–11/burlington-school-board-rips-members-racist-sexist-posts”
2010–09–20 Utah Board member censured for making disparaging remarks toward an employee
"https://www.deseret.com/2011/9/21/20387657/member-of-canyons-school-district-board-of-education-member-issued-censure-by-fellow-board-members

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Not only is Dr. Joaquina Kankam an expert in youth protection compliance and risk management, but her practical experience has made her a leader in understanding the needs of youth serving organizations. In addition to being an educator (K–12 & Higher Education), Joaquina has presented at several national association conferences and participated as a panelist in several discussions regarding youth. She is the founder of the School of Solutions.

First week of University - preparing for youth coming to campus.
All I saw were a bunch of liabilities.
Why cybersafety is so important right now.
Encouraging our employees on social media and interact with people.
Issues of accountability and transparency
Policies on any form of communication outside of educational programming.
Checks and balances in place
It’s important to involve our human element.
Parents should still be involved, as well.
Parents don’t abdicate responsibility to watch over child communication.
How to have proactive conversations.
Address school boards, becuase they have the power
Lifelong skills in dealing with online activity.

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Show Notes

Item – November closed with the news of a terrible tragedy in Michigan, as 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley used a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun to kill four of his schoolmates
This incident is remarkable for the role that social media and digital evidence should have played in its prevention, and the importance both will play in the subsequent investigation and trial of not only Crumbley but his parents as well.
Litigation is also likely against the school district and various school officials
Questionable Parenting
Black Friday present for dad or kid?
Stoking (or allowing unchecked) fetishism
Warning Signs
Instagram Posts
- Lots of Instagram images attributed to Ethan Crumbley (some probably spurious)
- Generally agreed that 4 days before shooting, he posted a photo of a gun on Instagram with the caption “Just got my new beauty today SIG SAUER 9mm. Ask any questions I will answer.”
Rumors Circulating Among Students (Some Stayed Home)
- Some number of students told their parents that they did not want to be in school because “something was going down.”
- This will require more investigation.
- How did they know?
- Where did they see the information or threats?
- What did they hear?
- Who posted it?
In-School Searches for Ammunition
- Crumbley told the teacher that he and his family like to visit shooting ranges and that was why he was looking at ammunition. The parents confirmed that shooting is a hobby.
Threatening drawing
- Crumbley told his teacher and counselors that he made the drawing for a video game he was designing.
Terrible Miscalculations
Earlier Warnings
- On two separate occasions in early November, the school sent out warnings regarding threats of violence. Not clear if one or both were related in any way to Crumbley but people were on edge.
School-Parent Conference
- The school met with all of the Crumbleys following the discovery of the teen’s drawing.
- Parents refused to take Ethan home.
Failure to Search
- Despite having clear reasonable cause, the school did not search Ethan’s backpack or locker.
Failure to Separate or Isolate
- A good argument can be made that there was sufficient evidence to isolate or suspend Ethan until a proper psych evaluation could be conducted
Digital Documentation of Tragedy
Surveillance Videos
- Investigators have been able to document Ethan’s actions using school video surveillance footage.
Witness Videos and Text Messages
- Increasingly, students in these situations are documenting what takes place using their mobile devices
- One chilling video shows students responding to a knock at the door. They believed that it was Ethan, although local law enforcement says it was one of their officers.
Digital Investigations
Devices
- Investigators have already discovered videos recorded on Ethan’s phone the night before the killings in which he talks about shooting students
Social Media
- Investigators have promised a “deep dive” into Ethan’s social media to look for planning, possible motives, etc.
- “Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said the shooting was “not just an impulsive act.” She said investigators had uncovered a “mountain” of evidence showing that the attack was premeditated.”
Potential Liability
Will the school or district employees be sued?
- Almost certainly.
- Michigan law may provide immunity to the school district if the school officials were “engaged in a governmental function”
- Individuals have immunity unless their actions constituted “gross negligence”
Will they be found liable?
- That’s a tougher question.
- Were all applicable procedures followed?
- If yes, then they made a judgment call that had a terrible outcome. That’s not the same as being “grossly negligent.”
Just two months ago, the Broward County school district settled 52 lawsuits in the Parkland shooting for a total of $25 million
Policy and Procedure Changes
“The challenge for administrators is properly identifying the one student who might act violently amid far more who display warning signs but never do any harm.”
School officials warn that pandemic stress and time away from school “has led to a surge in behavior problems and violence in schools, including a huge spike in gun incidents.”
Fallout
Fake Social Media Accounts
Copycat Threats against Schools
Resources
2021–12–05 After Michigan school shooting, experts question what could have prevented it

“https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/12/05/michigan-school-shooting/”
2021–12–04 In the Michigan Shooting, What Is the School’s Responsibility?
“https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/04/us/oxford-high-school-responsibility-legal.html”
2021–12–02 Oxford High School shooting: Everything we know about deadly Michigan attack and suspect Ethan Crumbley
“https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/oxford-school-shooting-what-happened-b1968122.html”
2021–12–01 Michigan suspect recorded video about killing students night before shooting, officials say
“https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/michigan-suspect-discussed-killing-students-video-phone-authorities-sa-rcna7328”
2021–11–30 4 dead, 7 injured in Oxford High School shooting; suspect is 15-year-old student
“https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2021/11/30/oxford-high-school-active-shooter-victims/8810588002/”
2021–10–20 Parkland victims’ families reach $25 million settlement with school district 3 years after massacre
“https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/10/20/parkland-massacre-families-settlement-cruz/ ”
[n.d.] Principal Recovery Network, a project of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, which helps support education leaders who face these tragedies.
“https://www.nassp.org/community/principal-recovery-network/”
[n.d.] Safe Havens International
“https://safehavensinternational.org/”

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Clarence Tan (Co-Founder) is the Chief Executive Officer and a Co-Founder of Boddle Learning— a gaming platform for education. Clarence Tan graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. He started his entrepreneurial journey into educational games during his junior year at the university when he started a game development company in Colombia, South America in 2011. Clarence is a veteran in the games industry with over 10+ years of game design experience. He has designed engaging interactive experiences for schools, government institutions, and large corporations. He is also a speaker on classroom gamification at educational conferences such as KCPT(PBS), LearnFest (formerly iPadpalooza), and ISTE.

Developing games in Colombia
Game-based learning vs. gamification
Games are the best medium to reach kids.
Clear goal, know steps to get there. Strong feedback loop.
Kinds of games that work well.
Rewards
Hogwarts competition
Gaming drives certain behaviors.
Leaderboard works poorly for kids on bottom half.
Use of random draws for raffle tickets.
Actionable Gamification
What actions will cause kids to be more motivated?
The process can always be painful.
Gamification lets you as the user know and track your progress.
My performance increased because I could see the improvement.
Why gamification is better and more scalable.
Dragonbox
Obviously, we got kicked out of all the schools for that!

Actionable Gamification - Beyond Points, Badges, and Leaderboards

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Show Notes The Problem The K–12 Cybersecurity Resource Center, tracked 408 cybersecurity incidents that hit K–12 institutions over the past year, an 18 percent increase from 2019 and an average of two cyberattacks per school day aimed at the nation’s education system. The most widespread cyber incidents were ransomware attacks, in which a hacker infiltrates a network and hold it for ransom, along with data breaches of student and staff personal data that included everything from bullying reports to Social Security numbers. Class invasions were also a significant trend, with these incidents involving a malicious actor gaining access to an online video conferencing system and disrupting it, often with inappropriate images or words. This trend was seen particularly at the beginning of the pandemic, and was used to interrupt classes on video conferencing platform Zoom in so many situations that the term “Zoombombing” was coined. News Items Passage of $1 Billion Department of Homeland Security cybersecurity grant program While the grants will technically be administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has long been DHS’s main grant-making unit, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act calls on CISA to serve in an advisory capacity — work that Wales said has already started. The infrastructure law requires each state to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity plan to qualify for the grants, and about 80% of the total funds will eventually make their way to local jurisdictions. Wales told Clarke that leaves CISA with several questions to answer before the money begins flowing, which is expected in 2022. Goal is development of “common baseline” – That’s likely to include some cybersecurity steps that are commonly described as fundamental — multi-factor authentication, limiting the number of privileged user accounts on a government network, patching vulnerabilities as soon as they’re identified and running regular risk assessments. But those are sometimes unaffordable for the small, local governments that stand to benefit from the new grant program. Signature of K–12 Cybersecurity Act requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to create cybersecurity recommendations and tools for schools to use to defend themselves against hackers after conducting a study on the cybersecurity risks facing K–12 institutions. What Should Schools Be Doing Now? Educate themselves about the grant process and information needed Educate teachers, students, and parents about the importance of cybersecurity Cultivate a culture of cybersecurity For K–12 IT Departments Check CISA Web site regularly Review lists of potential threats [from Ikon Business Group] Advanced Persistent Threat Attack [APT]: a network attack in which an unauthorized person gains access to a network and stays there undetected for a long period. Brute-force Cracking: a trial and error method used by application programs to decode encrypted data such as passwords or Data Encryption Standard (DES) keys, through exhaustive effort (using brute force) rather than employing intellectual strategies. Credential Reuse: Once attackers have a collection of usernames and passwords from a breached website or service (easily acquired on any number of black market websites on the internet), they know that if they use these same credentials on other websites there’s a chance they’ll be able to log in. Distributed Denial of Services [DDoS]: an attempt to make an online service unavailable by overwhelming it with traffic from multiple sources. Drive-by Download: a program that is automatically downloaded to your computer without your consent or even your knowledge. Malware: refers to various forms of harmful software, such as viruses and ransomware. Once malware is in your computer, it can wreak all sorts of havoc, from taking control of your machine, to monitoring your actions and keystrokes, to silently sending all sorts of confidential data from your computer or network to the attacker’s home base. Network-probe: a probe is an attempt to gain access to a computer and its files through a known or probable weak point in the computer system. Phishing: When internet fraudsters impersonate a business to trick you into giving out your personal information. Phishing Attacks are the primary vector for malware attacks and are usually comprised of a malicious e-mail attachment or an e-mail with an embedded, malicious link. Ransomware: a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid. Session Hijacking and Man-in-the-Middle Attacks: The session between your computer and the remote web server is given a unique session ID, which should stay private between the two parties; however, an attacker can hijack the session by capturing the session ID and posing as the computer making a request, allowing them to log in as an unsuspecting user and gain access to unauthorized information on the web server. SQL Injection Attack: uses malicious code to get a server to divulge information it normally wouldn’t. This is especially problematic if the server stores private customer information from the website, such as credit card numbers, usernames and passwords (credentials), or other personally identifiable information, which are tempting and lucrative targets for an attacker. 7 Steps for Better Cybersecurity [from Ikon Business Group] Get buy in from top administration – A good cybersecurity plan requires line items in the budget for people, hardware, and software – which means getting the principal, CIO, Operations Manager, and any other top-level decision makers on board. Perform live simulations and training exercises with students and staff – The best training today is one in which users undergo a simulated attack specific to their job or role. Follow up any training by testing how well the lesson was learned. Send out occasional phony phishing emails to check how many employees still fail to recognize the threat. Conduct evaluations – Don’t be afraid to perform evaluations of both employees and systems to find out how vulnerable your organization is to attack. Present users with a realistic type of cyber-attack and include a follow-up meeting for end users and IT personnel to discuss the results of the campaign and how to avoid scams in the future. Communicate – Don’t opt for scare tactics. The goal is to build a culture of cyber awareness. Start small with a few videos or infographics to kick things off. Don’t waste time sending out long memos that will only get ignored. Keep it fun, keep it short. Create a formal plan – IT teams should develop a formal, documented plan for cybersecurity training that is reviewed and updated often with the latest information on attack vectors and other risks. Stress the importance of security at school and at home – Tech leaders should help employees understand the importance of cyber hygiene not just in the workplace, but also at home, Pollard said. “Teach users about privacy, security, and how the lessons learned at work can apply at home and in their personal lives to give them a ‘what’s in it for me’ they can apply all the time, not just at work,” he added. Reward users – Reward users that find malicious emails, and share stories about how users helped thwart security issues. IT leaders should also empathize with people who make mistakes. Include posters, contests and other reminders to drive home an easy-to-understand message that security is everyone’s personal responsibility. Resources Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency “https://www.cisa.gov/” A Guide to Cybersecurity for K–12 Schools “https://www.ikonbusinessgroup.com/a-guide-to-cybersecurity-for-k–12-schools/” - #2021–11–22 Schumer: LI school districts should get ready to apply for funding to fight off cyberattacks “https://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/cyberattacks-school-districts-infrastructure-bill–1.50430756” - #2021–11–17 Cyber grants are a ‘game changer,’ CISA leader tells Congress “https://statescoop.com/cyber-grants-game-changer-cisa-leader-tells-congress/” - #2021–11–16 K–12 School Districts Failing at Cloud Security “https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/k12-school-districts-failing-at/” - #2021–10–31 FBI: K–12 schools a leading target for ransomware attacks. Are local districts secure? “https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/education/2021/10/31/ransomware-attacks-concern-school-districts/8543466002/” - #2021–10–22 The K–12 Cybersecurity Act Becomes Law “https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2021/10/k–12-cybersecurity-act-becomes-law” - #2021–10–08 Biden signs bill to strengthen K–12 school cybersecurity “https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/575957-biden-signs-bill-into-law-to-strengthen-k–12-school-cybersecurity?rl=1” - #2021–09–09 K–12 Cybersecurity Standards Released, Along with Free District Self-Assessment Tool “https://thejournal.com/articles/2021/09/09/k12-cybersecurity-standards-released-along-with-free-district-self-assessment-tool.aspx” - #2021–03–10 New research finds ‘record-breaking’ number of K–12 cyber incidents in 2020 “https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/542518-new-research-finds-record-breaking-number-of-k–12-cyber-incidents-in ” - #2021 The State of K–12 Cybersecurity: 2020 Year in Review “https://k12cybersecure.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/StateofK12Cybersecurity–2020.pdf”

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Richard Shell is a global thought leader and senior faculty member at one of the world’s leading business schools, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He serves as Chair of Wharton’s Legal Studies and Business Ethics Department, the largest department of its kind in the world. His forthcoming book, The Conscience Code: Lead with Your Values. Advance Your Career. addresses an increasingly urgent problem in today’s workplace: standing up for core values such as honesty, fairness, personal dignity, and justice when the pressure is on to look the other way.

You’re not a bad person if you do a bad thing.
Misconstrued or perverse incentives
Deadlines, compensation, etc. are rewards for achieving a goal
Doing it, and covering up from it.
Rationalizations - People anchor their pride in their role and in moral identity
We do a lot to avoid admitting making a mistake.
No Child Left Behind forced people to cut corners.
Change incentives or strengthen people to resist them?
Incentives are creating a toxic culture
If you label it as something wrong, you’ll stand to the side of it.
You have to think of yourself as a person of conscience first?
What would a person of conscience do?
Violate your values or you quit.
Your values are what you’re willing to pay for them.
When people get to impasse, they get more creative.
How to stand and fight instead of quitting.
The five pressures: peer, authority pressure, incentives, role, systemic PAIRS.
Easier to implement a conscience
When people are arguing over their interests they are different than arguing over their beliefs.
Incentives don’t work when talking about beliefs.
George Washington story
3 sources for values: family, spiritual, education
Competing aspects of conscience
Move from person of conscience to process

The Conscience Code: Lead with Your Values. Advance Your Career.

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New substack: subscribe here. https://cybertraps.substack.com
- Show Notes
- Social media and digital communication threats are a rising problem
- Every threat has to be taken seriously
- Incredibly disruptive
- Warning notices to parents – upsetting
- Lockdowns
- School closures / switch to remote learning
- Myriad vectors
- Email
- Text messages
- Social media apps
- Snapchat
- TikTok
- Instagram
- WhatsApp
- Facebook
- What Can Schools Do to Address the Problem?
- Short-Term
- Incident response plan
- Assessment of severity of threat (err on side of caution)
- Notification to the school community
- Cooperation with law enforcement to identify source
- Every incident is a teachable moment
- Spiderman – “With great power comes great responsibility”
- Long-Term
- Role of parents
- Cybersecurity measures
- Monitoring of social media
- Balancing resources and student privacy
- Creating a culture of awareness among students and staff
- Reluctance to get involved?
- Concern about being a “snitch”
- Relationship with law enforcement, including FBI
- Investigations
- Selfie-incrimination
- Mistaken belief in anonymity
- Digital investigations
- Computer forensics
- Penalties are serious
- Resources
- #2021–11–12 Photos from Oregon students’ social media pages taken, uploaded on site with ‘highly inappropriate content,’ district says
“https://www.channel3000.com/photos-from-oregon-students-social-media-pages-taken-uploaded-on-site-with-highly-inappropriate-content-district-says/”
- #2021–11–12 Ossining High School switches to full remote learning following social media threat
“https://bronx.news12.com/ossining-high-school-switches-to-full-remote-learning-following-social-media-threat”
- #2021–11–11 Hopewell superintendent addresses next steps after guns found in schools, social media threat
“https://www.nbc12.com/2021/11/11/hopewell-superintendent-addresses-next-steps-after-guns-found-schools-social-media-threat/”
- #2021–11–11 Maine East High School student facing charges for alleged threats, ‘hateful’ comments on social media
“https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/park-ridge/ct-prh-social-media-threats-tl–1118–20211111–7wwpot6yofc3hkpobh7mdytvcu-story.html”
- #2021–11–10 Helena schools, police prepared as social media threats target schools across the country
“https://www.ktvh.com/news/helena-schools-police-prepared-as-social-media-threats-target-schools-across-the-country”
- #2021–11–10 1 person arrested after social media threat made against Braden River High School
“https://www.mysuncoast.com/2021/11/10/1-person-arrested-after-social-media-threat-made-against-braden-river-high-school/”
- #2021–11–03 Parents Panic over unfounded social media rumor of planned Florence school shooting
“https://wpde.com/news/local/parents-panic-over-unfounded-social-media-rumor-of-planned-florence-school-shooting”
- #2021–11–01 Sheriff: No threat to schools from vague social media post
“https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/sheriff-no-threat-to-schools-from-vague-social-media-post”
- #2021–10–29 Social media trend leads to threats made at NorCal schools
“https://www.kcra.com/article/norcal-schools-social-media-trend-threats-made/38099339”
- #2021–10–25 Nationwide social media threat warning of school shootings hit several CNY districts; police say it’s not credible
“https://www.syracuse.com/schools/2021/10/nationwide-social-media-threat-warning-of-school-shootings-hit-several-cny-districts-police-say-its-not-credible.html”
- #2021–10–27 3 Savannah GA schools locked down after social media threat
“https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/2021/10/27/savannah-chatham-georgia-schools-lockdown-social-media-threat/8564651002/”
- #2021–10–18 Four students at Peachtree Ridge High School facing charges after threatening social media posts
“cbs46.com](https://www.cbs46.com/news/four-students-at-peachtree-ridge-high-school-facing-charges-after-threatening-social-media-posts/article_24336e66–3033–11ec-aede–97973c7b12ee.html”
- #2021–11–01 Deputies: Juvenile responsible for social media threats against Colleton Co. schools taken into custody
“https://www.live5news.com/2021/11/01/2-colleton-county-schools-lockdown-after-weekend-threat-social-media/”

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Small community of states with a small focus.
Clearinghouse benefits
No automatic suspension in Connecticut
Oklahoma
How teachers are responding to technology generationally.
Teachers rely on technology more.
Teachers are always a role model.
Coaches and boundaries
Still lots of learning that needs to be done.

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In this episode, we are sharing Fred’s presentation at PPI in Oklahoma City.

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General Counsel for State Department of Education

Authority to prosecute licensed personnel.
Educational professional has to bring complaints against others.
Teachers are connecting more and more online.
Sometimes teachers are just four years older than the students they could be teaching.
How to help those adults that don’t know what’s going on.
Why not equip schools with tools to manage what’s happening?
We’re getting better at investigating and knowing about issues.
I wish there had been training on this?
How to reduce harm? Increase training. Licensing requirement to have training. Ethics training, assessment, and continuing education.

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Show Notes
The power of experience for adults in teaching
- The holidays are rushing towards us
- Welcome to the Debby Downer holiday gift review!
- It may be a challenging shopping season
- Still significant post-pandemic supply chain issues
- What are the hot tech toys for 2021?
- Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet
- The latest and greatest kid-centric Amazon Fire gives kids more freedom to explore via a digital store where kids can request apps (pending parental approval). They can also make video and voice calls and play all their favorite age-appropriate games.
- Google Stadia
- Stadia is a blast. Let’s start there. Once you’re set up, having the ability to play anywhere you want, is pretty great. The games are fun, well-rendered, hook you quickly, and we had really good experiences in terms of resolution on our TV and frankly our Chrome browser too. The entire set up for Google Stadia is $99 — and that includes one month free access to games, with pricing $9.99 a month after that. This is a fun option for families (especially parents) particularly as a budget entertainment option at home — and a great treat for the holidays.
- Nintendo Switch
- Nearly every child (and many adults!) have the Nintendo Switch on their holiday list. This on-the-go-slash-household device is great for keeping kids entertained with family-friendly games and also makes for a fun family game night. It’s also one of the tech gifts you’ll want to keep for yourself.
- Osmo Math Wizard & the Magical Workshop
- Osmo Math Wizard & the Magical Workshop makes learning fun and interactive, providing a smart way to use screen time. While Osmo offers a range of programming for all ages, this one in particular caters to those six to eight, teaching addition and subtraction via hands-on play. In order to use it, an Osmo Base for iPad or Fire Tablet and an iPad or Fire Tablet are required.
- Play.date
- Handheld game console with a crank designed by a software company called Panic
- What are factors that parents should consider?
- Should you opt out of the shopping splurge altogether?
- Used or refurbished?
- Experiences instead of things? Family outings or trips?
- Subscription boxes?
- Remarkably few safety guides at this time of year
- Take the time research any toys that you are considering purchasing
- What types of connectivity does the toy have?
- What can your child do online with the toy?
- Who can they communicate with
- What data might be or is collected from your child?
- Check out our earlier podcast, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
“https://www.cybertraps.com/2021/09/21/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-childrens-online-privacy-protection-act-coppa-cybertraps–78/”
- Is your child ready for a more advanced tech toy or gadget?
- Pay attention to age ratings
- Err on the side of waiting
- How much screen time has your child had over the past year+? Is more a good idea?
- Have you discussed rules regarding the use of new toys or gadgets with your spouse? Are you ready to discuss those rules (and enforce) them with your child?
- Consider toys that are interactive, emphasize physical skills, and family interaction
- Tech gifts and gaming devices can certainly be a family activity, if you are actually interacting while you play
- There are no supply chain issues for your time and interaction with your child
- Resources
- #2021–11–07 How to Buy Nothing New This Holiday Gifting Season
“https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/07/opinion/culture/holiday-gift-shopping-secondhand.html”
- #2021–11–05 59 Best Gifts for Kids 2021
“https://www.rd.com/list/gifts-for-kids/”
- #2021–11–04 Here are the hottest toys of the 2021 holiday season, according to Amazon
“https://www.cbsnews.com/essentials/amazon-hottest-toys-holiday-season–2021/”
- #2021–11–03 PARENTS Names The Best Toys Of 2021
“https://finance.yahoo.com/news/parents-names-best-toys–2021–142600120.html”
- #2021–10–25 The Best Subscription Boxes for Kids
“https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-subscription-boxes-for-kids”
- #2021–10–20 The Ultimate Holiday Tech Gift Guide for Parents 2021
“https://www.gearbrain.com/high-tech-gifts-guide-parents–2493419810.html”
- #2021–10–15 The Hottest Tech Toys for Kids
“https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-hottest-tech-toys-for-kids”
- #2021–09–23 These Are the Hottest Toys for the Holidays, According to The Toy Insider
“https://tinybeans.com/toy-insider-hot-toys/”

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Live from PPI in Oklahoma City we are talking to Craig King and Taylor Pipkin from South Carolina, Palmetto State Teachers Association.

How my mom taught me about ethics
the role of social media in indiscretion.
The difference between being a teacher association representative vs investigators
Investigators are not out to get people, they’re not bad people.
Green construction paper non-instructional routine
Teachers need to be trained on decision making
Assess the risk
All about having those conversations.
Responding to the specific way things are presented.

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Raising Cyberethical Kids: Audio Course and Ebook
- News Item: In June 2021, UK Education Secretary Gavin Williamson suggested banning mobile phones in schools
- He argued that a ban would help students “remain calm” and overcome the effects of the pandemic
- Some schools expressed opposition, saying individual schools and districts should establish their own policies without government mandate
- Williamson seen as strong opponent of mobile phones in school, pointing to cyberbullying, sexting, and abuse of girls.
- Officials acknowledged that an in-school ban would do little to prevent harm occurring outside of school
- [Note: Williamson subsequently lost his position during a cabinet re-shuffle in September 2021]
- Several countries have limits on in-school mobile use, including:
- Afghanistan
- Australia
- China
- France
- Reframe the Discussion?
- Educators should not view these devices as mere “phones” or communication tools
- Instead, they should be recognized as powerful pocket computers and integrated into education accordingly
- “A plan, not a ban”
- Input from students and parents
- Negative Effects of Phones
- Full extent of potential problems still being analyzed
- 2013 study
- students not using cellphones:
- wrote an average of 62 percent more in their notes
- wrote more detailed notes
- recalled more detailed information
- scored one-and-a-half letter-grades higher on assessments
- students with digital devices:
- engage in more off-task behavior
- have more concentration and focus issues
- have a higher incidence of physical and mental health issues.
- 2015 study
- banning mobile phones led to an increase in test scores by an average of 6.4%
- “This is equivalent to adding five days to the school year or an additional hour a week.”
- Greater benefits (2x) for low-performing students
- Similar results from studies in Spain and Norway
- Excessive use can lead to multiple harms, including:
- anxiety and depression
- neglecting other activities
- conflict with peers or parents
- poor sleep habits (sleep deprivation and sleep texting)
- increased exposure to cyberbullying
- poor decision making
- physical harms, including posture, repetitive stress syndrome, vision, etc.
- learning disabilities
- FOMO or cyberchondria(?)
- emotional dysregulation
- decline in conversation skills
- Positive Uses of Smartphones
- keep track of homework
- setting up other reminders
- looking up facts and formulas
- taking photos, videos, or audio of lessons or confusing topics
- note-taking
- accessing education apps
- Impact on the classroom environment and school community
- mobile devices change dynamic between educator and student
- can be used to record and report educator misconduct
- can also be used to harass or embarrass educators
- Are mobile devices (and other digital tools) changing the way students learn?
- Suggestions on mitigating negative impacts of mobile devices
- More sleep
- More playtime (especially outdoors)
- Less time on digital media
- Read more books
- Develop a regular writing habit
- Resources
- #2021–10–30 David Lammy: Ban smartphone use in schools
https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/david-lammy/david-lammy-ban-smartphone-use-in-schools/
- #2021–08–16 Plan to ban phones from classrooms is out of touch, say UK school leaders
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/aug/16/plan-to-ban-phones-from-classrooms-is-out-of-touch-say-uk-school-leaders
- #2021–06–28 Education secretary wants ban on mobile phones in English schools
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jun/29/education-secretary-wants-ban-on-mobile-phones-in-english-schools
- #2021–05–10 Smartphones are powerful personal pocket computers – should schools ban them?
https://theconversation.com/smartphones-are-powerful-personal-pocket-computers-should-schools-ban-them–159826
- #2021–03–21 Banning mobile phones in schools can improve students’ academic performance. This is how we know
https://theconversation.com/banning-mobile-phones-in-schools-can-improve-students-academic-performance-this-is-how-we-know–153792
- #2021–02–21 Curse or necessity? Schools grapple with whether students should be allowed smartphones
https://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/300233731/curse-or-necessity-schools-grapple-with-whether-students-should-be-allowed-smartphones
- #2021–02–02 China bans children from using mobile phones at school
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology–55902778
- #2021–01–14 Digital teaching and learning in the smartphone era
https://www.eschoolnews.com/2021/01/14/digital-teaching-and-learning-smartphone/
- #2020–06–02 Why Principals Worry About How Mobile Devices Affect Students’ Social Skills, Attention Spans
https://www.edweek.org/technology/why-principals-worry-about-how-mobile-devices-affect-students-social-skills-attention-spans/2020/06
- #2020–01–21 Six ways smartphones enhance learning
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/share/2020/01/21/six-ways-smartphones-enhance-learning/4492982002/
- #2019–06–21 Are Students Spending Too Much Time on Mobile Devices During Class? Yes, Educators Say
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/are-students-spending-too-much-time-on-mobile-devices-during-class-yes-educators-say/2019/06
- #2019–05–14 How should teachers manage smartphone distractions in the classroom?
https://edscoop.com/how-should-teachers-manage-smartphones-distractions-in-the-classroom/
- #2019–02–27 ‘Students Are Using Mobile Even If You Aren’t’
https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/article/2019/02/27/mobile-devices-transform-classroom-experiences-and
- #2018–09–21 Schools are banning smartphones. Here’s an argument for why they shouldn’t — and what they should do instead.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2018/09/21/schools-are-banning-smartphones-heres-an-argument-why-they-shouldnt-what-they-should-do-instead/
- #2018–09–20 France Bans Smartphones in Schools Through 9th Grade. Will It Help Students?
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/20/world/europe/france-smartphones-schools.html
- #2018–08–14 Cellphones at school: Should your kid have one?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/baig/2018/08/14/should-smartphones-allowed-classroom/959154002/
- #2016–12–14 9 Uses for Smartphones in the Classroom
https://www.govtech.com/education/cellphones-in-classrooms-part–2.html
- #2016–12–14 Cellphones in Classrooms, Part 1
https://www.govtech.com/education/cellphones-in-classrooms-part–1.html
- #2016–03–08 Fomo, stress and sleeplessness: are smartphones bad for students?
https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2016/mar/08/children-mobile-phone-distraction-study-school
- #2015 Ill Communication: Technology, distraction & student performance
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.labeco.2016.04.004
- #2013 The Impact of Mobile Phone Usage on Student Learning
https://edscoop.com/how-should-teachers-manage-smartphones-distractions-in-the-classroom/

Raising Cyberethical Kids: How a Family Acceptable Use Policy Can Make Your Young Digital Citizens Safer, Smarter, Kinder, and More Empathetic

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Catherine Slagle is the director of Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Office of Professional Practice in the state of Washington.

Worked in prisons and then in professional practices of State Superintendent office.
Didn’t have anything in code of conduct relating to social media.
Finding out culture of the school.
Letter of concern vs. Letter of reprimand.
District reluctance to report teachers to state.
Superintendent
Teachers need specific training around ethics in teacher preparation programs.
Be friendly to a certain point, but not their friends.
Talk with people who aren’t doing something right.

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Show Notes

Two articles on Cybertraps.com
- Halloween Costumes Result in the Suspension of 14 Idaho Educators
  https://www.cybertraps.com/2018/11/04/halloween-costumes-result-in-the-suspension-of–14-idaho-educators/
- What Do Pokémon Balls, Pumpkins, and Death Stars Have in Common? Just Google “Baby Bump Costumes”!
  https://www.cybertraps.com/2016/10/18/what-do-pokemon-balls-pumpkins-and-death-stars-have-in-common-just-google-baby-bump-costumes/
When did Halloween become such a big deal?
- Blame the 1980s
First Amendment – Is dressing up a form of speech?
- Yes, but same analysis as other types of speech
Educators Are Role Models
The Role of Social Media
- All it takes is one photo
- How well do you know your friends
Potentially Problematic Costumes
- Political commentary
- Overly sexualized
- Cultural appropriation
- Mocking specific groups or an individual
- Making fun of a tragedy
Considerations for Administrators
- Halloween celebrations and costume parades can put pressure on disadvantaged families
- Costumes can create division in the school community
- Impact on the repu
- Students may feel marginalized or attacked
Resources - #2021–10–19 Native American Chief, Anne Frank, And 15 Other Costumes You Should Absolutely Steer Clear Of On Halloween
https://www.buzzfeed.com/simrinsingh/problematic-halloween-costumes
2021–05–29 London principal removed from position after backlash over wearing student’s dreadlocks
https://globalnews.ca/news/7905066/london-ont-principal-removed-wearing-dreadlocks/
2020–10–31 Two Syracuse school employees put on leave for racist Halloween costumes
https://cnycentral.com/news/local/two-syracuse-school-employees-put-on-leave-for-racist-halloween-costumes
2020–10–30 Political costume nixed at Okay Elementary
https://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/schools/political-costume-nixed-at-okay-elementary/article_f55fe23e–8e76–5822-a2db-d79d49825e0c.html
2019–11–07 Milpitas blackface teacher admits he made ‘horrible mistake’
https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/11/07/milpitas-blackface-teacher-admits-he-made-horrible-mistake/
2019–11–05 A teacher wore blackface to school while dressing up as Common. He’s been suspended.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/11/05/teacher-wore-blackface-school-while-dressing-up-common-hes-been-suspended/
2019–11–02 Halloween Costumes and a Facebook Post Upset NHUHSD Community
https://kymkemp.com/2019/11/02/halloween-costumes-and-a-facebook-post-upset-nhuhsd-community/
2019–05–24 Southern California teachers under fire for dressing up in sombreros and mustaches for yearbook photos
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/05/24/southern-california-teachers-under-fire-dressing-up-sombreros-mustaches-yearbook-photos/
2019–03–19 Lingering anger over teacher’s Trump-hat Halloween costume fuels racial tensions at top Newark high school
https://newark.chalkbeat.org/2019/3/19/21107175/lingering-anger-over-teacher-s-trump-hat-halloween-costume-fuels-racial-tensions-at-top-newark-high
2019–02–01 Teacher who wore blackface for Bob Marley Halloween costume may get fired
https://www.yahoo.com/now/teacher-wore-blackface-bob-marley-halloween-costume-may-get-fired–191526845.html
2018–10–26 Why has Halloween become so popular among adults?
https://theconversation.com/why-has-halloween-become-so-popular-among-adults–104896
2018–10–25 Iowa teacher under investigation after wearing blackface to Halloween party
https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/413188-iowa-teacher-under-investigation-after-wearing-blackface-to
2016–11–04 Seattle high school teacher suspended for controversial Halloween costume
https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/seattle-high-school-teacher-suspended-for-controversial-halloween-costume/463887455/
2014–10–29 In Classrooms, Halloween Costumes Can Raise Sensitive Issues
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/in-classrooms-halloween-costumes-can-raise-sensitive-issues/2014/10
2014–10–21 10 Days until Halloween: Step Away from the “Indian” Costume
https://nativeappropriations.com/2014/10/10-days-until-halloween-step-away-from-the-indian-costume.html

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The Importance of Senior Leadership’s Involvement in Youth Protection Decision-Making.

CAPTA (Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, 1974)
Children youth-service organizations.
Background checks and mandatory reporting training
Sexual abuse or other harm?
Audit systems to ensure organizations are helpful in preventing harm to kids.
We do only what we know how to do.
Our procedures are good enough, we’ve talked with the attorneys and they approved them.
Protecting image of university
Loudon County, VA school board member resigns
We don’t differentiate in adult professional development
Start with a good understanding of what the law is.
How to teach schools to do this work correctly.
It’s too much to put on my plate.
how to be a transformative principal? If sometihng bothers you, don’t let it go. Fix it!

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Updates
Travel to the 24th Annual Professional Practices Institute in Oklahoma City, OK
- My first flight trip in a year+(!)
PPI is a program of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC)
NASDTEC has operated since 1928 as “a professional membership organization representing state departments of education and professional standards boards/commissions that are responsible for the preparation, licensure, and discipline of K–12 educational personnel.”
It has members from all 50 states, DC, the Dept. of Defense Education Activity, Guam, and the province of Ontario
Vision: “NASDTEC believes that all students should have educators who are held to high standards.”
Mission: “NASDTEC is dedicated to providing leadership and support to those responsible for the preparation, certification/licensure, employment, ethical and professional practice, and continuing professional development of educators.”
TikTok! … It’s 10 p.m.–Do You Know What Apps Students Are Using?
- PPI General Session 2 (2:45 - 3:45 pm)
  - Introduction (including Center for Cyberethics)
  - U.S. Supreme Court Snapchat decision
  - Apps popular with teens
    - GroupMe
      - Direct and group messages
      - Photos, videos, and calendar links
    - Kik Messenger
      - Text messages, etc.
      - Allows communication with strangers
    - WhatsApp
      - Text, audio, videos, and photos
    - Instagram
      - Photos and videos (public or private)
      - Instagram Direct
    - TikTok
      - Short-form videos
    - Tumblr
      - Microblog – scrapbook of text, photos, videos, and audio.
    - Houseparty
      - Live video and group video chat
      - Screenshots can be taken
    - Live.me
      - Live video streaming that can be watched by anyone
    - YouNow
      - Live video streaming
    - Snapchat
      - Time-limited pictures and videos
    - Whisper
      - “Anonymous” confession app
    - Monkey
      - Modern version of Chatroulette – uses Snapchat to connect users for 10 second chats with strangers
    - MeetMe: Chat and Meet New People
    - Omegle
      - Anonymous chat with strangers
    - Yubo
      - “Tinder for Teens” – if two users "match, they can chat via Snapchat and Instagram
    - Amino
      - Interested-based groups for chatting via text, voice, or video.
    - Among Us
      - In-game chat feature
    - Bitlife
      - Quiz app
    - Discord
      - Voice and text chatting tool
    - Holla
      - Live video chat
    - Lipsi
      - Anonymous feedback on Instagram posts
  - Types of Educator Misconduct
    - Personal Cybertraps
    - Professional Cybertraps
    - Criminal Cybertraps
  - Legal Considerations
    - U.S. Constitution
      - 4th Amendment
      - “Right to Privacy”
    - State Laws and Regulations
    - District Policies and Procedures
  - Investigations
    - Types of Witnesses
      - Cooperative Witnesses
      - Uncooperative Witnesses
      - Third-Party Data Sources
    - Types of Data
      - Data Stored on or Transmitted over School Equipment
      - Public-Facing Social Media
      - Data Stored on Personal Devices
    - Sources of Data
      - Examination of Data in App
      - Screenshots or Photos of App Data
      - Digital Forensics
        
        Mobile Devices
        
        Hard Drives and Other Data Storage
        
        Cloud Storage

Resources

PPI Agenda
https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nasdtec.net/resource/resmgr/2021_ppi_okc/october_1_2021_ppi_agenda.pdf
2021–08–04 The Most Popular Apps for Teenagers: What’s Hot, What’s Not

https://yourteenmag.com/technology/the-most-popular-apps-for-teenagers
2021–06–29 18 Social Media Apps and Sites Kids Are Using Right Now
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/16-apps-and-websites-kids-are-heading-to-after-facebook
2021–03–23 TikTok Is Now the Most Used App by Teens & Pre-teens in the US
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tiktok-is-now-the-most-used-app-by-teens–pre-teens-in-the-us–301253639.html
2020–12–09 Nine Popular Apps for Teens That Parents Should Monitor
https://www.learningliftoff.com/nine-popular-apps-for-teens-that-parents-should-monitor/
2020–10–06 TikTok passes Instagram as second-most popular social app for U.S. teens
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/06/tiktok-passes-instagram-as-second-most-popular-social-app-for-us-teens.html
2021–10–18 Popular student monitoring software could have exposed thousands to hacks https://www.fastcompany.com/90686770/netop-student-monitoring-software-hack
2018–09–27 Top Apps Teens are Using Right Now
https://besociallysmart.com/top-apps-teens/

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As current VP at Drip7, a microlearning platform for Cybersecurity education, Tara Anderson has been instrumental in increasing the revenue of some of the largest and most prestigious corporations in the world while mitigating cyber and compliance risk. Passionate about risk management, cyber security, behavior design, and education; Snapshots of her contributions can be found on IBMTV ‘World Edition’; Cyber Talk with Rex Lee and Merle Garrison; KUTV Channel 4 (Utah), KSL News Radio, and more.

Please add questions that we would ask here, and you can add anything that you would like to add as well.

Positioning: school IT systems collect and manage sensitive data about students, about their parents, guardians, and families, about educators and other school staff, and about school district operations. In some cases, these IT systems are locally hosted on school district premises or in shared hosting arrangements with other local government entities; increasingly, they are hosted by an ecosystem of vendors ‘in the cloud’ on systems accessible by any internet-connected device. While there are myriad benefits to the adoption and use of IT systems by school districts—and to the collection and sharing of education-related data with trusted partners—it is important we acknowledge that any adoption of technology also introduces cybersecurity risk.

145 data breach incidents involving public schools (representing 36 percent of all incidents disclosed during 2020).
Why have cyber threats to schools escalated?
What types of information/data are cyber criminals after?
Not making learning punitive
Within the context of the school, does gamification raise the potential for cyberbullying?
Don’t want learning to be punitive.
If I felt judged or looked at, things were harder.
How microlearning helps us learn.
Varying the way it is delivered.
Awake, bathroom, coffee, dog,
attention span is decreasing.
Brain starts forgetting critical things because of what we are stuffing in it.
App headway
With all the information out there in this digital age, there seems to be many training opportunities that come along with it; What are the challenges?
“You will lose it if you don’t use it.” But since our brains can only hold a limited amount of information (1,000 - 2.5 million gigabytes), how do we keep every bit of information that we want to remember?
How many different learning types have been identified?
How can we meet the training needs of these students?
As cybersecurity isn’t the most exciting topic; How can we make learning more fun and interesting?
There’s a lot of buzz around microlearning in education. Why is this form of training delivery becoming so popular?
As security awareness is an important part of a preventative plan. How would you incorporate the training to encourage the most adoption?
What do you think is the biggest hurdle for schools in changing their culture toward one that prioritizes cybersecurity?

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Today we take a look at the issue of surveillance of students in and by schools
- Three areas of surveillance
- In school
- Physical and network surveillance
- Online
- Surveillance of social media activity
- At home
- Surveillance through school-issued equipment
- What information is being collected and what is being done with it?
- Center for Democracy and Technology study:
- 86% of teachers reported that schools provided equipment to students, twice the pre-pandemic rate
- 80% of teachers and 77% of students said that the schools used surveillance software
- The more the devices were used, the more surveillance occurred
- Disparate economic impact
- Economically disadvantaged students more likely to need school provided equipment and thus be subject to more constant and intrusive surveillance
- Varying degrees of transparency
- Justifications
- Are students paying attention?
- Some systems allow teachers to view all the tabs opened by students
- Are students accessing inappropriate content, either during class or outside of it?
- Are students misbehaving (cyberbullying, etc.)?
- Are students showing signs of mental illness or self-harm (depress, suicidal ideation, etc.)?
- The pandemic has had a measurable impact on the mental health of children
- Protection of school equipment
- The Technology
- Different installation protocols
- Standalone software
- Browser extensions
- Raises specter of monitoring of private devices if browser is set to sync extensions
- Real-time monitoring of web activity, emails, etc. by AI or human moderators
- A growing number of software platforms
- Bark
- Gnosis IQ
- Gaggle
- GoGuardian
- Lightspeed
- Securly Classroom
- Real-time access of web cams
- Online classes
- Private time
- Educators Misconduct
- Lurking or snooping on social media accounts
- Web cam voyeurism
- Implications
- Training students to view surveillance by employers and governments as “normal”
- Legal Issues
- Invasion of Privacy and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
- Federal and state wiretapping laws
- Child Online Privacy Protection Act
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
- Resources
- #2021–10–11 US schools gave kids laptops during the pandemic. Then they spied on them
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/11/us-students-digital-surveillance-schools
- #2021–10–07 Borrowed a School Laptop? Mind Your Open Tabs
https://www.wired.com/story/borrowed-school-laptop-mind-open-tabs/
- #2021–10–04 Democratic Lawmakers Demand Student Surveillance Companies Outline Business Practices, Warn the Security Tools May Compound ‘Risk of Harm for Students’
https://www.the74million.org/article/democratic-lawmakers-demand-student-surveillance-companies-outline-business-practices-warn-the-security-tools-may-compound-risk-of-harm-for-students/
- #2021–09–22 New Research Probes Surveillance of Students’ Online Activities
https://www.govtech.com/security/new-research-probes-surveillance-of-students-online-activities
- #2021–04–02 Teachers Are Watching Students’ Screens During Remote Learning. Is That Invasion of Privacy?
https://www.edweek.org/technology/are-remote-classroom-management-tools-that-let-teachers-see-students-computer-screens-intrusive/2021/04
- #2019–12–05 Is Your School Spying on Your Child via Webcams?
https://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/is-your-school-spying-on-your-child-via-webcams
- #2019–12–04 How To Know If Your School-Issued Laptop Has Spyware Installed
https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/how-to-know-if-your-school-issued-laptop-has-spyware-installed/
- #2010–10–21 $610K Settlement in School Webcam Spy Case
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/610k-settlement-in-school-webcam-spy-case/

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Dimitri Nemirovsky holds BBA and MBA degrees from Baruch College and earned his JD from Brooklyn Law School. Prior to co-founding Atakama, Dimitri spent 15 years practicing regulatory and enforcement law, most recently at Bingham McCutchen where he represented large financial institutions in high-stakes matters. Dimitri began his career at Merrill Lynch where he focused on the various Federal and state e-discovery regulations that developed during the early 2000’s.

Dimitri has been enamored by computer science since an early age, having taken his first coding class in 8th grade. Throughout his professional career he has always focused on technology, including during the early dotcom era and more recently with bitcoin and blockchain. It was his infatuation with the distributed nature of blockchain technology that led to the founding of Atakama.

Decentralized encryption solution
Cybersecurity vs. information security.
Cybersecurity protecting the castle
Information security protects the crown jewels within the castle.
How is Atakama different from other cybersecurity solutions?
Individual consumers vs. enterprise solutions
We as individuals should not be apathetic as it relates to security.
Thousands of in-points now that everyone is remote.
What makes it hard for us to be security conscious.
The more secure you make something, the less productive it is.
Value that people put on the information.
Trust!
It’s incumbent on the individual to be aware.
Be judicious about who we trust and what we trust.
Quantum Computing threats

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The question of the day: What role can or should video games play in the classroom?
A massive, massive economic sector
- 2020 – Approximately $66 billion dollars for the U.S. industry as a whole; worldwide, $177 billion
- According to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA):
  - Average age of video game player is 31
  - 90% of gamers are over 18
  - Largest segment is 18–34 year olds (38 percent)
  - 76% of people under the age of 18 play video games
  - 74% of parents play with their children at least weekly
Impact of video games on learning
- The jury is still out; there are competing studies that show varying effects, both positive and negative
- Chief question is whether gaming interferes with performance of necessary school tasks
- Positives may include:
  - collaboration and teamwork
  - social skills
  - planning
  - language skills
  - preparation for remote learning
- Negatives may include
  - distraction
  - sleep deprivation
  - risk of bullying and abuse
  - grooming
Can video games be a positive force in the classroom?
- Gamification of learning
- Games as a form of engagement
- Trophies, badges, and rewards
- Leveling up
Risks for Educators
- Games overwhelm the content
- Inappropriate conversations
- Inappropriate interactions within the games
- Giving consoles or games to student could be perceived as grooming
Popular video games
- Roblox
- Fortnite
- Minecraft
Resources - #2021–08–07 Could video gaming hold the key to better learning?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2021/08/07/how-some-teachers-gaming-education-system/5454842001/
2021–05–28 How teachers can use video games to motivate students
https://theconversation.com/how-teachers-can-use-video-games-to-motivate-students–161624
2021–04–05 Former Teacher At Church Farm School Gets 15–30 Years For Abuse (PA)
https://patch.com/pennsylvania/westchester/former-teacher-church-farm-school-gets–15–30-years-abuse
2021–02–22 Struck off: Catholic primary school teacher, 27, banned after talking about her sexuality while playing FORTNITE with two young pupils on PlayStation (England)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–9286621/Catholic-school-teacher-banned-talking-sexuality-playing-FORTNITE-pupils.html
2019–02–13 Middle school gym teacher, 30, is fired for playing Fortnite with his students to ‘reward’ them for doing their work (NY)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–6699891/Brooklyn-gym-teacher–30-fired-playing-Fortnite-students-reward-them.html
2018–08–27 Fontys teacher unravels the success of game Fortnite with her students
https://innovationorigins.com/en/fontys-teacher-unravels-the-success-of-game-fortnite-with-her-students/
2018–05–03 Educators Battle ‘Fortnite’ for Students’ Attention
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/educators-battle-fortnite-for-students-attention/2018/05
2018–01–02 The effects of video games on school achievement
https://parentingscience.com/effects-of-video-games-on-school/
Zachary Hartzman has a whole curriculum based on video games: Listen on Transformative Principal
Hey Listen Games - using games to teach
[n.d.] Best Video Games for Teens
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/best-video-games-for-teens

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Marcus Marena is a felony investigator in the public defender’s office in Chittenden County, Vermont.

Why Marcus loves working for public defenders.
You may deserve to be in jail, but how did we get here?
Felony and other investigations.
Digital investigations
Technology is always there.
Law enforcement extractions and phone dumps.
Marcus advises to always make the police get a warrant.
Is technology making younger people commit more crimes?
If you don’t want people to read your messages, don’t put them in writing.

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First Question: How old is your little app user? Do they really need a smartphone or tablet?
“Raising Cyberethical Kids”
- Book: https://link.cybertraps.com/RCK_PB
- Audio Course: https://gum.co/rckaudio
Issues to Consider When Planning Child App Use
- Age
- Maturity
- Life Balance
- Necessity (School Work, Family Communication, etc.)
- In-App Purchases / Costs
- Privacy Issues (COPPA)
- Deception and Danger (Inappropriate MessagingHidden Albums
What Needs to Be Managed?
- Screen Time
  - Can Be Tough During a Global Pandemic
- Downloading and Installation of Apps
- Communication with Unknown Individuals
  - Not Necessarily a Threat But Worth Monitoring
- Taking and Posting of Inappropriate Photos
- Access to Inappropriate Content / Goods / Services
  - Algorithms Are Not Your Child’s Friend
  - TikTok Is Emerging as a Particularly Powerful Source of Risky Challenges
- Location
How to Manage Your Child’s Online Experience
- Educate Yourself
  - Manuals and Company Information
  - Web Searches
- Communicate with Your Child
- Encourage Kids to Be Educators within the Family
- Use Built-in Parental Controls
  - Cellular Companies
  - Device Manufacturers
  - Software Providers
    - Operating Systems
    - Specific Programs or Apps
  - Game Manufacturers
- Consider a Third-Party Solution
- Regularly Review and Recalibrate Settings
- Set a Good Example
- Be Realistic
  - No Tool Is Perfect
  - Your Child May Be Highly Motivated to Circumvent
Resources for Review
- ADDitude: Mo Devices Mo Problems: ADDitude’s Top 10 Parental Control Apps
  https://www.additudemag.com/screen-time-parental-control-apps/
- Common Sense Media: Parents’ Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls
  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/parents-ultimate-guide-to-parental-controls
- PC Magazine: The Best Parental Control Software for 2021
  https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-parental-control-software
- PC Magazine: Apple vs. Google vs. Microsoft: Who Has the Best Free Parental Controls?
  https://www.pcmag.com/picks/apple-vs-google-vs-microsoft-who-has-the-best-free-parental-controls
- Safewise: The Best Parental Control Apps of 2021
  https://www.safewise.com/resources/parental-control-filters-buyers-guide/
- The New York Times: What Weird Games Lurk on Your Kid’s Tablet?
  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/12/parenting/toddler-tablet-games.html
- The Washington Post: Teens find circumventing Apple’s parental controls is child’s play
  https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/10/15/teens-find-circumventing-apples-parental-controls-is-childs-play/

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In this episode we talk about supply chain issues and how technology impacts that sector.

Rosemary Coates is the Founder and Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute She is also the President of Blue Silk Consulting, a supply-chain management consulting firm. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute, a 501c3 nonprofit and non-partisan organization focused on expanding U.S. manufacturing. She has been a management consultant for 25+ years, helping over 80 global supply chain clients worldwide. She is an Amazon.com best-selling author with five Supply Chain Management books, including The Reshoring Guidebook, 42 Rules for Sourcing and Manufacturing in China, and the Legal Blacksmith – How to Avoid and Defend Supply Chain Disputes. She also works as an Expert Witness on legal cases involving global supply chains. Rosemary serves on the Board of Directors at the University of San Diego Supply Chain Management Institute and teaches Global Supply Chain Strategy at UC Berkeley. She earned an MBA from the University of San Diego and a bachelor’s degree in business logistics from Arizona State University.

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In this episode, we discuss the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). It’s not nearly as boring as it sounds!
- A project Fred’s been working on for drip7 - Heather Stratford, Episode 61
- What is COPPA?
- Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in 1998
- COPPA required the Federal Trade Commission to issue and enforce regulations concerning children’s online privacy. The Commission’s original COPPA Rule became effective on April 21, 2000
- The FTC has an excellent and detailed FAQ: https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/complying-coppa-frequently-asked-questions–0
- What is it designed to do?
- The primary goal of COPPA is to place parents in control over what information is collected from their young children online.
- The Rule was designed to protect children under age 13, while accounting for the dynamic nature of the Internet.
- The Rule applies to operators of commercial websites and online services (including mobile apps and IoT devices, such as smart toys) directed to children under 13 that collect, use, or disclose personal information from children, or on whose behalf such information is collected or maintained (such as when personal information is collected by an ad network to serve targeted advertising).
- It applies not only to U.S. operators but to foreign ones as well
- Does COPPA help to limit child access to inappropriate content?
- No. COPPA is not designed to prevent child access to any content online. Its only purpose is to regulate the collection of information from children under the age of 13.
- What “personal information” is protected under COPPA?
- First and last name;
- A home or other physical address including street name and name of a city or town;
- Online contact information;
- A screen or user name that functions as online contact information;
- A telephone number;
- A Social Security number;
- A persistent identifier that can be used to recognize a user over time and across different websites or online services;
- A photograph, video, or audio file, where such file contains a child’s image or voice;
- Geolocation information sufficient to identify street name and name of a city or town; or
- Information concerning the child or the parents of that child that the operator collects online from the child and combines with an identifier described above.
- What rights do parents have under COPPA?
- If a company, web site, or service is covered by COPPA, it must adhere to the following requirements:
- Post a clear and comprehensive online privacy policy describing their information practices for personal information collected online from children;
- Provide direct notice to parents and obtain verifiable parental consent, with limited exceptions, before collecting personal information online from children [under the age of 13];
- Give parents the choice of consenting to the operator’s collection and internal use of a child’s information, but prohibiting the operator from disclosing that information to third parties (unless disclosure is integral to the site or service, in which case, this must be made clear to parents);
- Provide parents access to their child’s personal information to review and/or have the information deleted;
- Give parents the opportunity to prevent further use or online collection of a child’s personal information;
- Maintain the confidentiality, security, and integrity of information they collect from children, including by taking reasonable steps to release such information only to parties capable of maintaining its confidentiality and security;
- Retain personal information collected online from a child for only as long as is necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected and delete the information using reasonable measures to protect against its unauthorized access or use; and
- Not condition a child’s participation in an online activity on the child providing more information than is reasonably necessary to participate in that activity.
- Recent News
- #2021–08–29 Angry Birds maker sued for allegedly violating child privacy
https://appleinsider.com/articles/21/08/29/angry-birds-maker-sued-by-new-mexico-for-allegedly-violating-coppa
- New Mexico’s attorney general Hector Balderas alleges that Rovio Entertainment has been collecting and selling the personal data of children under the age of 13
- Balderas also alleges “aggressive targeting” of underage children “through the sale of in-game goods, out-of-game media, and merchandise.”
- Allegation that Revio surreptitiously “exfiltrates” the personal information of children and then sells it.
- #2021–08–10 Google will add privacy steps for teenagers on its search engine and YouTube.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/10/business/google-youtube-teenagers-privacy.html
- #2021–07–08 FTC settles with app for violating COPPA
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=d6c81d0a-d363–4f3e-a5fa–455a3fd83e55
- #2021–07–01 Online Coloring Book App Recolor Settles FTC Allegations It Illegally Collected Kids’ Personal Information
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/07/online-coloring-book-app-recolor-settles-ftc-allegations-it
- #2021–03–18 Facebook is working on a version of Instagram for kids under 13
https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/18/22338911/facebook-instagram-kids-privacy-coppa
- #2020–07–27 COVID–19 and COPPA: Children’s Internet Privacy in a New, Remote World
https://www.natlawreview.com/article/covid–19-and-coppa-children-s-internet-privacy-new-remote-world
- #2019–12–18 Parents Sue TikTok for COPPA Violations, Settle for $1.1M
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/parents-sue-tiktok-for-coppa-violations–67961/
- Possible class action against Musical.ly (creator of TikTok) and ByteDance (current owner)
- Allegations that defendants “failed to deploy appropriate safeguards,”
- #2017–07–28 COPPA and Schools: The (Other) Federal Student Privacy Law, Explained
https://www.edweek.org/technology/coppa-and-schools-the-other-federal-student-privacy-law-explained/2017/07

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Dr. Ora D. Tanner is the Assistant Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research at the University of South Florida (USF).

She previously worked as a nuclear physicist, science educator, and more recently as a graduate researcher on NSF-funded grant projects related to digital game-based learning and assessment.

Ora earned her B.S. and M.S. in physics from Dillard University of New Orleans and USF, respectively, and expects to complete her doctorate in Instructional Technology and Educational Measurement in 2019.

In her “free” time she studies the latest emerging technologies and explores how they can be used to empower both K-12 students and teachers in science education.

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Show Notes * The Cybertraps Podcast is a production of The Center for Cyberethics, an independent, non-partisan educational institute dedicated to the study and promotion of cyberethics as a positive social force through research, curricula development, publishing and media, professional training, and public advocacy. * Build the Non-Profit One Pillar at a Time + First Pillar: Cyberethics in the School Community - Draws on experience of Jethro as principal and educational consultant, and Fred as lecturer/author of Cybertraps for Educators 2.0, etc. + Future Pillars of Cyberethics - Employers and Employees - Caretakers for the Vulnerable - Lawyers - Health Care Providers - First Responders - Public Figures (Politicians, Athletes, Celebrities * Ongoing Activities + The Cybertraps Podcast + Cybertraps for Educators 2.0 –> Cybertraps for Educators 3.0 - Reorganization of Cybertraps into 3 Categories * Personal Cybertraps (Mistakes or Self-Harm) * Anti-Social Cybertraps (Acting Badly Towards Others – Non-criminal) * Criminal Cybertraps + Conferences and Webinars - October – Professional Practices Institute * Recent Cyberethical Issues in School Communities + Malvern (AR) teacher reaches students via social media app TikTok
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/jan/25/teacher-reaches-students-social-media-app-tiktok/ + Dr. Trevor Boffone – Viral TikTok teacher writes book on building bridges through social media (“Renegades: Digital Dance Cultures from Dubsmash to TikTok”)
https://abc13.com/dr-trevor-boffone-tiktok-social-media-justice/10843562/ - 300,000 followers on Instagram, 25,000 on TikTok – as of last June + High school teacher fired after praising antifa: ‘I have 180 days to turn them into revolutionaries’
https://news.yahoo.com/high-school-teacher-fired-praising–193600139.html + ‘It’s a new Cultural Revolution’: Mom who survived Maoist China’s purges rages against woke Loudoun County School Board for pushing ‘neo-racism’ and teacher warns against ‘indoctrination camps’ in classrooms
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–9672569/Virginia-mom-survived-Maoist-Chinas-purge-slams-Critical-Race-Theory.html + Portland teacher says colleagues who don’t want to teach critical race theory are like PEDOPHILES and warns they’ll be fired if they keep up ‘old views of colonialism’
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–9640189/Oregon-elementary-school-teacher-warns-colleagues-theyll-FIRED-refused-teach-CRT.html + Alaska high school teacher is suspended for telling Zoom class that George Floyd ‘would still be alive’ if he had complied with police and ‘sidled into their car’
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–9551277/Alaska-teacher-leave-telling-students-George-Floyd-alive-complied.html + Teachers work to deprogram kids of QAnon and anti-vaxxer parents after pandemic
https://www.rawstory.com/qanon-anti-vaxx/ + Teachers Turned to Social Media as a Remote Learning Tool During the Pandemic, but Privacy Experts Warn the Trend Could Open ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Problems
https://www.the74million.org/teachers-turned-to-social-media-as-a-remote-learning-tool-during-the-pandemic-but-privacy-experts-warn-the-trend-could-open-pandoras-box-of-problems/ + How to Talk About Social Media and the Capitol Insurrection: A Guide for Teachers
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/how-to-talk-about-social-media-and-the-capitol-insurrection-a-guide-for-teachers/2021/01 + Hundreds defend Michigan high school teacher after post on social media (nose ring, blue lipstick)
https://www.abc12.com/2021/06/11/hundreds-defend-grand-blanc-high-school-teacher-after-post-social-media/ + Maryland Teacher Posted Photos and Videos on Instagram from January 6 Events Prior to Storming of the Capitol, and Criticism of George Floyd
https://www.fox5dc.com/news/mcps-quince-orchard-teachers-social-media-posts-from-capitol-march-under-review + Miami teacher’s social media posts under review after an email to officials (citizen complaint, not a parent) #Parler
https://www.local10.com/news/local/2021/01/28/miami-schoolteachers-social-media-posts-under-review-by-district-after-an-email-to-officials/ + Judge dismisses fired OH teacher’s lawsuit against superintendent
https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/education/judge-dismisses-fired-teachers-lawsuit-against-state-superintendent/article_79d48a16–4d3f–5502-a652-c0d90aabc5eb.html + Christchurch (NZ) relief teacher issued stern warning over racist posts, given final warning
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch-relief-teacher-issued-stern-warning-over-racist-posts-given-final-warning/PSWSD67ND7DQW3B6FGGNB57ROA/ + Mayfield Middle School (OH) teacher accused of sexual misconduct against students on social media
https://www.cleveland.com/crime/2021/06/mayfield-middle-school-teacher-accused-of-sexual-misconduct-against-students-on-social-media.html + Trending in China: The ‘Tyranny’ of Parent Teacher Social Media Chat Groups
https://www.caixinglobal.com/2020–11–02/trending-in-china-the-tyranny-of-parent-teacher-social-media-chat-groups–101622054.html + Teacher misconduct cases treble as teacher shortage forces schools to ‘cut corners’
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/teacher-misconduct-cases-treble-as-teacher-shortage-forces-schools-to-cut-corners/C3DGXTZSOB6TAQJBLJPCTJA5YI/ * How Can You Help? + Donate + Volunteer to Help with Our Work + Contact Us

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Joshua Powell spent 23 years in the Marines doing Command and Control operations and the last 5 working as a contractor. Spent 3 years with the Navy working Electronic Warfare / Information Operations and the last two working with George Mason University, Rapid Prototyping Research Center as a Senior Research Faculty. Focused on airborne networking technologies.

From the time our kids are born they are leaving behind a virtual shadow. This shadow can quickly become a tool for not only nation state actors but local individuals to manipulate individuals through their life.

Eagle Eye movie example - an AI computer “activates” an individual to do what they deem required to save the country. Well what if it was your kid or spouse activated by someone you didn’t know?

Who is studying this problem? Congress Defense Primer: Information Operations Think Tanks

“Information Operations,” RAND Corporation

The Evolution of Special Operations as a Model for Information Forces

RUSSIAN HYBRID WARFARE

DoD

JP 3-13, Information Operations

Bottom line - when you have the ability to individualize the targets on-line behavior, habits, and schedule. You have an extraordinarily powerful tool that should be looked at as a weapons grade. We do not allow our enemies to have our tanks, jets, weapons, but we give them nearly unlimited access to our personal data.

Personal information is powerful - behavior and habits are the vector for threats to access your life.

Look at the attack on Congressmen Hawley’s home in DC. This is terror and it can be done to our families and to our children in very personal and intimate ways.

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Greg Edwards is the CEO of CryptoStopper™, which provides ransomware protection by automatically detecting and stopping actively running ransomware attacks. The are the world’s first digital security product to offer 100% ransomware protection.

Ransomware is affecting so many people. How big of a problem is it really?
How can you guarantee to protect companies against ransomware?
What steps can every day people take to protect themselves.
Why is ransomware the number two threat to businesses today, behind the pandemic of course?
backupify - google drive

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Heather is a researcher and author in the United States who has spent 15 years studying innovation in education and the rise of blended learning as the enabler of student-centered learning. She is the co-author of the Amazon bestseller Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools, as well as The Blended Workbook

As the founder of Ready to Blend, Heather leads a team of 150 facilitators in the United States, Middle East, and South America who have been certified to deliver blended-learning workshops to their teachers.
Prior to this role, Heather was a senior research fellow for the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation and a strategy consultant for McKinsey & Company.

She holds a BA magna cum laude in government from Harvard University and an MBA with distinction from the Harvard Business School. She is the mother of five children and lives in Austin, Texas.

How student-centered learning matters.
We can’t just say go all in or go off and do wholly Waldorf method.
Heather on Transformative Principal episode 210 and 211
What is the purpose of school?
Having transparency on what kids were learning.
Stay away from simulteaching.
Opportunities: modalities of instruction that are out of the box.
Look for synchronous group discussion.
Collaborative experiences.
1 on 1 check ins.
Constraints:
children are empowered when they use technology to go to any destination - field trip analogy.
Gate at the top, but also an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff.
Crash and tell.

Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools

The Blended Workbook: Learning to Design the Schools of our Future

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WhatsApp Pussy Cat? Today Fred and Jethro talk all about WhatsApp, the background, how it’s used, and what to look out for.

What Is It?
- WhatsApp Messenger
Who Built It?
- Brian Acton and Jan Koum, former Yahoo! employees, wrote the first version in 2009
- Facebook acquired WhatsApp in 2014 for $19 billion
Who Is Using It?
- Lots and lots of people … Roughly 2 billion monthly users worldwide
- WhatsApp has users in 109 countries
How Are People Using It?
- Group chats (up to 256 people)
- Broadcast feature (message to multiple people, reply just to sender)
- Video Calls (w/ filters)
- Text Messages
- Share Videos, Photos, and Audio Messages
What Are the Risks Parents Should Consider?
- No real enforcement of 16+ age rating
- Potential contact from strangers (no verification of user identity)
- Multiplatform service (kids can move from device to device)
- Multiple tools to “hack” WhatsApp
- Disappearing Messages (Status Feature)
- Cyberbullying (particularly in group chats)
- Grooming
- Live Location
- Access to Inappropriate Content – It only takes a few seconds to find links to public WhatsApp groups with
- Hoaxes and Misinformation
  - Some limits on forwarding messages to groups
- Malware (particularly on PCs and Macs)
- Sharing of data between WhatsApp and Facebook
- Multiple security breaches and software flaws
Anecdotes and Headlines
- 2021–08–15 Did America just lose Afghanistan because of WhatsApp?
  https://prestonbyrne.com/2021/08/15/did-america-just-lose-afghanistan-because-of-whatsapp/
- 2021–08–07 WhatsApp CEO calls out Apple over Child Safety tools announcement
  https://9to5mac.com/2021/08/07/whatsapp-ceo-calls-out-apple-over-child-safety-tools-announcement/
- 2021–08–04 Warning issued to anybody who uses WhatsApp as loophole could see strangers access your messages
  https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/uk-news/whatsapp-urgent-warning-loophole-hackers–21220126
- 2021–07–19 Biology teacher, 57, at £40,000-a-year boarding school is struck off after sending naked shower ‘selfie’ to an 18-year-old schoolgirl he told ‘aroused him’ over explicit WhatsApp texts
  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–9803385/Biology-teacher–57-struck-sending-naked-shower-selfie–18-year-old-schoolgirl.html
- 2020–10–24 ‘She’s no longer hurting or afraid’: Devastated family say final farewell to girl, 12, who killed herself after being hounded with abuse on school laptop during lockdown by bullies who labelled her ‘lesbian emo freak’
  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–8874807/Northumberland-suicide-Loved-ones-say-goodbyes-cheeky–12-year-old-schoolgirl.html
- 2018–12–20 WhatsApp has an encrypted child porn problem
  https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/20/whatsapp-pornography/
- 2018–09–26 The problem with ‘dark social’
  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/theworldpost/wp/2018/09/26/whatsapp/
- 2018–07–19 WhatsApp introduces new limits on message forwarding in an effort to stop deadly lynchings in India
  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article–5971935/India-issues-fresh-warning-WhatsApp-lynching-deaths.html
- 2015–06–15 Sexting, webcams and naked Whatsapp contests: The secret online lives of children
  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/11674931/Sexting-webcams-and-revenge-porn-Secret-online-lives-of-our-children.html
Resources
- 2021–06–24 Is WhatsApp Safe? 5 Scams, Threats, and Security Risks to Know About
  https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/4-security-threats-whatsapp-users-need-know/
- 2021–05–10 15 phone apps parents should be aware of: Are any of these on your child’s phone?
  https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/2021/05/10/pender-sheriffs-office-warns-parents-dangerous-phone-apps/4871525001/
- 2020–11–16 Three most dangerous WhatsApp settings that could get you hacked, scammed or exposed
  https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/13211541/dangerous-whatsapp-settings-hacking/
- 2020–03–07 Is WhatsApp Safe for Kids? Here’s What Parents Need to Know
  https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/consumer/family-safety/is-whatsapp-safe-for-kids-heres-what-parents-need-to-know/
- n.d. WhatsApp
  https://www.net-aware.org.uk/networks/whatsapp/
- n.d. WhatsApp: a guide for parents and carers
  https://parentinfo.org/article/whatsapp-a-guide-for-parents-and-carers
- n.d. WhatsApp Messenger Common Sense Media
  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/whatsapp-messenger

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In this episode we talk with Andrea Hainsworth about how to help family members who are struggling with unwanted pornography use.

Andrea Hainsworth is an associate licensed mental health counselor in Spokane Washington. She is a graduate of Gonzaga university with a masters degree in marriage and family counseling. She is trained in emotionally focused therapy and owns a private practice which works primarily with couples, many of whom are dealing with unwanted pornography use and associated infidelity and other forms of acting out in their marriages. She also runs a support group for women who have been betrayed by their partner’s unwanted pornography use. Andrea is married and is the mother of 6 children. andreahainsworth.com

Daniel Siegel
The Power of Showing Up.

The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired

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Richard Byrne is the President of Byrne Instructional Media, LLC. He is best known for developing the award-winning blogs Free Technology for Teachers and Practical Ed Tech. His work is focused on helping teachers use technology to improve their students’ learning experiences. He has been a high school social studies teacher and is currently a computer science teacher. Richard’s print work includes columns for School Library Journal, contributing author to What School Leaders Need to Know About Digital Technologies and Social Media, and articles for Teacher Librarian.

In this episode Richard, Fred and Jethro talk about how to decide if you should free technology in your classroom (and your life).
Invent to learn by Gary Stager
Empowering online learning
Scott McCleod - Dangerouslyirrelevant.org Harnessing technology for deeper learning

Invent To Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom

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Scott Schober is the author of three best-selling security books: Senior Cyber, Hacked Again, and Cybersecurity is Everybody’s Business. He has dedicated himself to educating as many people as possible by telling his own stories of being hacked with the hope that others can learn from his mistakes.
As a lifelong technology innovator and inventor, Scott began seeking ways to help seniors seamlessly adapt to our ever-technological world, based on his and his brother Craig’s experiences with their elderly parents and the myriad of questions from a growing elderly population. In Senior Cyber, Scott and Craig pick apart a multitude of cybersecurity scams that relate directly to the financial, socioeconomic, and health & well-being of all seniors by offering simple advice for all levels of cybersecurity experience for grandparents, grandchildren, and everyone in between.
In addition to his writing prowess, Scott is a highly sought-after author and expert for live security events, media appearances, and commentary on the topics of ransomware, wireless threats, drone surveillance and hacking, cybersecurity for consumers, and small business. He is often seen on ABC News, Bloomberg TV, Al Jazeera America, CBS This Morning News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more networks.

Why are seniors and the elderly often targeted by cybercriminals and scammers, and what can they do to stay safe?
Don’t talk down to those who are elderly.
Phone scams.
Many think that a person needs to be technically savvy or spend a lot of money to improve their security.
Skimmers at a gas station.
What are some best practices we can all take with our credit and debit cards at the gas pump or ATM?
Family dynamics and senior independence.
Start the conversations earlier.

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In this episode we will do a deep dive about TikTok and give parents ideas and suggestions for how to manage TikTok at home.

What Is TikTok?
- A free social network service that focuses on the sharing of short videos (15 seconds to 3 minutes) with background music
- It is available on iOS and Android
- It was originally launched in 2017 but did not really take off until it merged with another Chinese social media service called Musical.ly
- Interesting question: Is TikTok the new Facebook?
- Who Built It?
- TikTok is the global version of a Chinese app called Douyin.
- Both apps were developed and are owned by a Chinese company called ByteDance
- Douyin has a number of features not available outside of China yet, including e-commerce, in-video search (using facial recognition), etc. Expectation is that those will come to TikTok soon.
  - Will propaganda follow?
    - Trump attempted to ban the app, but Biden reversed his executive order
    - ByteDance reported earnings of over $34 billion in 2020
    - Company is testing a Stories feature that will cause videos to disappear in 24 hours
  - Who Is Using It?
- As of October 2020, TikTok had over 2 billion mobile downloads
- In its Terms of Service, TikTok says that use of its app is restricted to people age 13 and older
- However, a NY Times article in August 14, 2020 reported that "TikTok classified more than a third of its 49 million daily users in the United States as being 14 years old or younger ..." ( https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/14/technology/tiktok-underage-users-ftc.html )
- Underage use without specific parental consent violates the Child Online Privacy Protection Act
- In 2018, Musical.ly paid the Federal Trade Commission a fine of $5.7 million for violating COPPA
- In the UK, an estimated 44% of children ages 8-12 use the app
- How Are People Using It?
- Production of amusing / goofy videos
- Education
- Influencing
- By following specific users
- Searching hashtags
- Anecdotes
- Woman writes nice comment on a TikTok user's video; they wind up dating (TikTok as dating app??)
- Mother shares TikTok vidoes of her dancing with her 3-year-old daughter just 3 weeks before beating her to death ( https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9882635/Evil-mothers-chilling-TikTok-videos-three-year-old-girl-just-weeks-killed-her.html )
- English police officer reprimanded for posting topless videos of himself and making sexualized jokes ( https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9132751/Police-officer-scolded-topless-TikTok-videos-singing-making-crude-sexualised-jokes.html )
- What Are Some of the Risks That Parents Should Consider?
- Privacy
  - TikTok asks for a user's age during the registration process but it is easy for kids to lie
  - TikTok also says that it uses software tools to estimate a user's age, including:
    - Facial recognition
    - Comparing the user's social media network and activity with other people whose age has been estimated
    - Buying information from other sources (presumably linked through user ID or mobile ID)
    - Company statement: “As is standard practice across our industry,” the company conducts “high-level age-modeling to better understand our users and allow our safety team to better protect the safety of our younger teens in particular.” - In April 2021, the UK and the EU sued TikTok for billions for allegedly violating child privacy ( https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-56815480 )
    - The suit alleges that "TikTok takes children's personal information, including phone numbers, videos, exact location and biometric data, without sufficient warning, transparency or the necessary consent required by law, and without children or parents knowing what is being done with that information."
    - TikTok denies the claim
      - Unsupervised purchases
  - Users can earn "TikTok Rewards" that can be redeemed for coupons for real-world brands
    - Inappropriate Content
  - As a music-based app, TikTok content often contains lyrics that you may consider age-inappropriate
  - Dance moves and clothing choices may also be disturbing
  - Many children are watching TikTok videos for sexual education ( https://www.thelily.com/teens-dont-always-get-sex-ed-at-school-tiktokers-are-stepping-in/ )
    - The hashtag #sexualhealth has over 250 million views (as of July 2021)
      - Risky Challenges
  - Body Image, Self Image, and Suicidal Ideation
    - Eating frozen honey or other frozen liquids (including flavored corn syrup, bubble tea, and sriracha) ( https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/08/us/frozen-honey-challenge-tiktok.html )
      - Risk of insulin spike, followed by dramatic drop in blood sugar * TikTok Blackout Challenge -- Italian 10-year-old tried to cause herself to pass out for a few seconds but ended up strangling herself ( https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9176189/Girl-ten-accidentally-kills-trying-TikTok-Blackout-Challenge.html ) * Mother alleges TikTok caused suicidal thoughts in her 15-year-old ( https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9150617/Mother-blames-TikTok-videos-giving-son-15-suicidal-thoughts.html )
        
        Misinformation / Disinformation
  - Anyone can set up an account
  - TikTok does have community guidelines but enforcement is a challenge (as with every social media network)
  - Increased need for media literacy among children
    - Radicalization
  - Parents discovered video of a beheading spliced into a girl's dance video ( https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9669245/TikTok-apologizes-beheading-clip-tricks-AI-server-posing-dance-video-goes-viral.html )
    - Video was checked when it was uploaded but not when it was subsequently edited
    - Suggestions for Parents
- Explain to your child that he or she can't use the app until he or she is 13
- Follow your child in the app and monitor activity
- Discuss potential risks and encourage questions
- For children ages 13-15, TikTok automatically sets accounts to private and they should stay that way (limits comments to friends, another aspect of the app parents should monitor)
- From ages 16 to 18, users can livestream and use direct messaging (parents need login credentials to see DMs)
- Above 18, users can "buy, send, or receive virtual gifts)
- See Common Sense media guide for more suggestions
- Resources
- Common Sense Media Guide -- https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/parents-ultimate-guide-to-tiktok

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In this podcast we are talking about the Supreme Court decision this fall regarding Mahanoy Valley v BL and Apple's new policy on cryptographically scanning files for CSAM content. SCOTUS Decision Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. (Brandi Levy)

SCOTUSblog
Language warning
Majority [8-1] opinion written by Justice Breyer
Facts
- Levy tried out for varsity cheerleading but was offered a spot on the jv squad
- Levy was unhappy with the decision. The following weekend, while visiting a Cocoa Hut, she shared two snaps on her Snapchat "story" (24 hour availability)
  - The first was a selfie showing Levy and a friend holding up their middle fingers with a caption reading "Fuck school fuck softball fuck cheer fuck everything." [SCOTUS quotes actual content -- similar to Pacifica]
  - The second just showed a caption that read "“Love how me and [another student] get told we need a year of jv before we make varsity but tha[t] doesn’t matter to anyone else?" The message was followed by an emoji with an upside-down smile.
    - Levy's list of Snapchat "friends" [SCOTUS uses quotes, interestingly] included some other cheerleaders. At least one used another cellphone to take pictures of Levy's posts so that she could share them with other cheerleaders and adults.
    - Cheerleading coaches testified that team members were "visibly upset" and that the posts sparked discussion in a coach's Algebra class.
    - Following consultation with the school principal, the coaches concluded that Levy's use of profanity in her snaps was a violation of team and school rules. They suspended Levy for the coming school year.
    - Levy apologized but it made no difference. "The school’s athletic director, principal, superintendent, and school board, all affirmed B. L.’s suspension from the team. In response, B. L., together with her parents, filed this lawsuit in Federal District Court."
    - After losing at the trial court and appellate level, the school district filed a writ of certiorari and SCOTUS granted the petition.
    - The precise question: “[w]hether [Tinker], which holds that public school officials may regulate speech that would materially and substantially disrupt the work and discipline of the school, applies to student speech that occurs off campus.”
  - Tinker: students wore black arm bands to protest the Vietnam war and were disciplined. SCOTUS ruled in students' favor but held that "schools have a special interest in regulating on-campus student speech that 'materially disrupts classwork or involves substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of other.'"
  - SCOTUS Analysis
- Tinker held that students do not lose their rights of freedom of speech or expression "at the school house gate"
- Hazelwood, however, provides that "special characteristics of school environment" must be considered, including status of school "in loco parentis"
- Schools may regulate student speech that falls into three categories
  - (1) “indecent,” “lewd,” or “vulgar” speech uttered during a school assembly on school grounds
  - (2) speech, uttered during a class trip, that promotes “illegal drug use" (Morse v. Frederick, "Bong Hits 4 Jesus"
  - (3) speech that others may reasonably perceive as “bear[ing] the imprimatur of the school,” such as that appearing in a school-sponsored newspaper
  - NOTE -- I have some experience in this, as I helped publish an underground newspaper my sophomore year of high school called "The Bullblp"**
    - Tinker also recognized the special interest schools have in regulating speech that "“materially disrupts classwork or involves substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others"
    - SCOTUS disagrees with Third Circuit as to whether schools lose their additional license to regulate speech simply because it occurs off-campus. Possible examples:
  - "serious or severe bullying or harassment targeting particular individuals; threats aimed at teachers or other students; the failure to follow rules concerning lessons, the writing of papers, the use of computers, or participation in other online school activities; and breaches of school security devices, including material maintained within school computers."
  - Student herself suggested instances in which on/off-campus distinction would not apply:
    - all times when the school is responsible for the student; the school’s immediate surroundings; travel en route to and from the school; all speech taking place over school laptops or on a school’s website; speech taking place during remote learning; activities taken for school credit; and communications to school email accounts or phones."
    - Those examples might arguably include extracurricular activities, like cheerleading
      - SCOTUS largely punts. Reluctant to detail a specific list of exceptions to the Third Circuit's rule.
      - "Particularly given the advent of computer-based learning, we hesitate to determine precisely which of many school-related off-campus activities belong on such a list. Neither do we now know how such a list might vary, depending upon a student’s age, the nature of the school’s offcampus activity, or the impact upon the school itself."
      - "Thus, we do not now set forth a broad, highly general First Amendment rule stating just what counts as “off campus” speech and whether or how ordinary First Amendment standards must give way off campus to a school’s special need to prevent, e.g., substantial disruption of learning-related activities or the protection of those who make up a school community."
      - Three guidelines:
  - It is rare for a school to stand "in loco parentis" with respect to off-campus speech. Such speech normally falls within the responsibility of the parents
  - Routine regulation of off-campus speech by schools would effectively eliminate free speech for students, which is overly broad. This is particularly true with respect to off-campus speech dealing with core 1st Amendment concepts like politics or religion. Schools will face a heavy burden justifying intervention.
  - Schools, "as nurseries of democracy," have a positive interest in protect unpopular expression by students.
    - "Taken together, these three features of much off-campus speech mean that the leeway the First Amendment grants to schools in light of their special characteristics is diminished."
    - Apply those general principles to the speech by Levy, SCOTUS held:
  - Her speech, while vulgar, did not have any characteristics which would strip it of 1st Amendment protection -- not fighting words, not a threat, etc.
  - The speech was completely off-campus, did not reference any specific individuals or the school, used private equipment, and was intended for a personal audience.
  - While school has a general interest in teaching good manners, school was not standing "in loco parentis" at the time of Levy's speech, and no delegation by Levy's parents to do so in this instance
  - No evidence of "substantial disruption" resulting from Levy's comments. Desire on the part of the school "to avoid the discomfort and unpleasantness that always accompany an unpopular conversation" is not sufficient grounds.
  - Mere apprehension of bad effects of speech does not justify its restriction
  - Reaction / Overviews
- 2021-06-23 NAESP Statement
  - “Although we respect the court’s ruling, we are concerned with the precedence it establishes related to the ability for school leaders to appropriately respond to student actions that interfere with learning and the operations of the school. Furthermore, the vagueness of the decision complicates schools’ efforts to regulate off-campus speech given the goal to prevent potential disruption of school activities. However, we are encouraged that the court left open and suggested that educators could take action against some off-campus speech.”
    - 2021-03-04 Biden Administration, Education Groups Back School District in Student Online Speech Case

Apple Phone Scanning * Articles and Documents

+ In internal memo, Apple addresses concerns around new Photo scanning features, doubles down on the need to protect children
+ Apple announces new protections for child safety: iMessage features, iCloud Photo scanning, more-- Good explainer
+ Expanded Protections for Children Frequently Asked Questions
+ Apple says it will refuse gov’t demands to expand photo-scanning beyond CSAM
+ Apple is prying into iPhones to find sexual predators, but privacy activists worry governments could weaponize the feature - Ridiculous fear mongering article.
+ Apple’s New ‘Child Safety’ Initiatives, and the Slippery Slope
+ No, Apple Isn’t Suddenly Spying On Your iMessages—And This One Switch Stops It From Scanning Your Photos
+ A Review of the Cryptography Behind the Apple PSI System - Benny Pinkas - Dept. of Computer Science Bar-Ilan University

Concepts
- iCloud uploads
  - On-phone calculation of hash values
    - iMessages to and from children
  - Requires a phone set up as a "child account" on Apple Family Sharing (and for the user to be under 12 years old).
    - Fundamental problem: No way to independent identify smartphone / tablet users by age
    - Apple fending off concerns about software changes at the request of authoritarian governments

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Sam is an IT Director and consultant with experience in K–12 education, corporate training, and telecommunications. He spent over ten years living and working in Bush Alaska, visiting 97 small towns and villages across the state, 3 years in China, and now resides in southern Florida with his wife and two boys. He is certified in a number of technology and vendor platforms/skills, but has focused more on cybersecurity in the last 3 years. He is passionate about privacy, data protection, and cybersecurity… especially when it comes to our youth. MakeITSecure is a consultant company that helps schools harden their systems when schools can’t afford a full time CISO.

What it was like being a teacher in Bush Alaska.
Why are schools not doing more to protect their students, staff and data?
MakeITSecure
How to make security a priority.
You can’t just have IT be the only ones thinking about security, because all issues are security related.
What should we spend money on in schools?
Risk management equation.
Where you should put your schools’ money when it comes to security
What’s your goal? What are you trying to accomplish with that security program?
Sit down and evaluate your risk and try to fill your gaps.
Low-hanging fruit to reduce your risk.
Information audit - what are the states of their policies and procedures.
Repository of templates within a consortium so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Free software comes with a cost.
There are ways to make anything safer.
Transparent, honest communication.
Just enough, just in time, just for me.
Comparing your roles as an IT Director for schools in the US or Program Director for a US telecom, how would you describe social media, the internet, and digital trends in China -
As a consumer it was a healthy experience.
Serious seeds of doubt or a complete misunderstanding of it.
Connection of Social Credit Score and our current situation.

[[media]]

[[cybertraps Scott Tennant]]

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Ted Harrington is the #1 best selling author of HACKABLE: How to Do Application Security Right, and the Executive Partner at Independent Security Evaluators (ISE), the company of ethical hackers famous for hacking cars, medical devices, web applications, and password managers. He’s helped hundreds of companies fix tens of thousands of security vulnerabilities, including Google, Amazon, and Netflix. Ted has been featured in more than 100 media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and Forbes. His team founded and organizes IoT Village, an event whose hacking contest is a three-time DEF CON Black Badge winner. He hosts the Tech Done Different podcast. To get help with security consulting and security assessments, or to book Ted to keynote your next event, visit https://www.tedharrington.com.

Using a modifier with a password
How to think like an attacker
A hacker is a problem solver - the intent is what matters.
My job is to think the bad thoughts and ask the hard questions
How to hack a bar waiting line.
Determine what the rules of the game are
The people who really succeed are the people who see the way the world could be.
It’s really about independent thinking.
Constraints provide opportunity for us to do better.
How to teach people to be better
Give kids opportunities to explore their creativity.
Most humans are inherently wired to do good and make good choices.
Be Better - the two words that define security
Start from the foundation that all people are good.
Automation of hacking techniques and if it’s too easy to be bad, people will do that.
The democratization of an elite skill
Zeroday vulnerabilities marketplace
Security research community.
The Blockchain bandit.
What do we do about zerodays? We have to accept that they exist, and then we have to go find them.

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Dr. April Joy Damian is an epidemiologist, health services researcher, and classically trained public health professional with expertise in health equity, social determinants of health, psychiatric epidemiology, and mixed methods.
She currently serves as the Associate Director of the Weitzman Institute, a research, education, and policy center dedicated to quality improvement and primary care transformation, with a particularly focus on vulnerable populations.
Dr. Damian is also the immediate Past Chair of the AcademyHealth Public Health Systems Research IG Advisory Board, and concurrently holds faculty appointments at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Wesleyan University.
She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelors of Arts in Ethnic Studies, Highest Honors. She then went on to earn a Masters in Medical Sciences from Harvard Medical School and PhD in the Department of Mental Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

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Tom Kowalski is the Founder and CEO of REP, a global digital security and reputation advisory firm specializing risk protection. REP helps to preserve online assets, and public images.

Provide peace of mind and ease worry about reputation.
Social media platforms are incredibly unhelpful
Model is built on advertising and treating users as users, not customers.
Can be difficult to suppress
Be cautious about what you put out there.
Revealing information inadvertently though using social media
Right to be forgotten.
Kids are at various stages of “brand development”
Freeze kids’ credit scores
Monitor kids’ social media
Make a plan.

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Jane Clementi co-founded the Tyler Clementi Foundation alongside husband Joe because she wants to make sure that our society learns the consequences of discrimination and bullying, as she learned all too personally through the loss of her son.
A native of New Jersey and devoted mother of three sons, Jane speaks passionately to parents and community leaders about the need to not merely “accept” or “tolerate” children who come out as LGBT, but to embrace them as wondrous creations of God.
Jane, a registered nurse, speaks on the need for parents of LGBT children to come out and speak openly of the love they have for their children, and in doing so each one of us can impact the world around us and create accepting environments.
Since losing Tyler, Jane’s spiritual journey has continued to carry and transform her in ways she never would have imagined. She left her church home of many years because she felt that while sitting in the pews of a church that condemned LGBT people she was herself a bystander to bullying. Jane leads an inspirational life through her unique experience which she shares with other parents, and speaks passionately about the need to divorce the concept of “sin” from homosexuality. She has made difficult choices in an impossible situation, and leads by example.
She has spoken out in support of LGBT rights and the need for families and communities to embrace their LGBT populations. Jane has spoken before the U.S. Congressional HELP Committee, the National Cathedral, and numerous other faith communities, colleges, universities, high schools, and work places.

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Heather is a thought-leader in the IT Training and Cybersecurity field. Heather keynotes at conferences, universities, and for enterprise clients. Heather regularly speaks about Cybersecurity, Women in Technology, Women and Diversity in Cybersecurity, creating a Cybersecurity Culture, Entrepreneurship, Privacy, and the shifting regulations and how to manage cybersecurity risks.

In 2019, Heather won a national year-long fellowship with the Tory Burch Foundation, received a national scholarship from Goldman Sachs to participate in the 10,000 Small Businesses Program, and is a 2019 alumni of the Babson College Entrepreneurship Program. In 2018, Heather received the Women in Business Leadership Award from Whitworth University and was featured by global organizations such as the 2018 G7 Summit held in Canada. She has also served as a Board Member on the Community Security Coalition, a regional non-profit helping provide cyber and technology education.

In security, education is key, so how do we teach people security principles in an effective way?

A new phenomenon in the industry around creating
Humans are the biggest attack area
2020 was the largest increase in breeches according to FBI.
“This gives us a number”
Baseline test.
Most phishing campaigns are individual and unique.
Reporting how many people are reporting something suspicious
Metaphor of the virtual fire alarm.
Not sure means not enough education.
Drip7 teaches behavior change.
Safety in manufacturing made the culture to be safety-aware.
Positive reinforcement in a consistent area.
Lessons that are learned for business in an organization
Demographics of who is in the workplace.
It is critical to our whole way of life to be secure.
Adahar - Indian social security system.
Hospital system that recognized the need for behavior change.
Where to start with cybersecurity? 1. acknowledge that it is a problem. 2. Education
Reach out to Heather on LinkedIn

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Michael Skinner is an award-winning advocate, educator, writer and critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, guitarist, addressing the issues of trauma, abuse and mental health concerns through public speaking, writing and his music. He has spoken at the National Press Club, was a keynote presenter for a conference held by the United Nations, The State Department and Georgetown University on the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children and adults and he was part of the groundbreaking Oprah Winfrey Shows that addressed the issues of males sexually abused as children.

Since 1993, Michael’s uplifting and heartwarming story and songs of Hope and Healing has impacted thousands of people every year throughout the country. His presentations at colleges, universities, high schools, mental health centers and conferences, churches, civic groups, sexual assault and domestic violence support centers and conferences, including a women’s correctional center in Hawaii are highly acclaimed.

He has appeared on many TV, radio and Internet shows and has been the subject of many news articles regarding child abuse and mental health. Michael is also a frequent and sought after blogger on several websites and writer of articles for mental health publications. He has contributed chapters for three books, “Jyu No Tobira” [ “The Door To Freedom - Live Your Life From Today”] published in Japan, “Our Encounters with Suicide”, Europe and Great Britain and, “You Can Help: A Guide for Family & Friends of Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Assault”, United States. Michael is also featured in the film documentary, “Hold Me Right”, addressing the aftermath of sexual abuse.

His role as a consultant and trainer for the Federal government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors has been crucial in helping to shape the policy initiatives and directives for the delivery and implementation of trauma informed care and services. And he has worked with organizations nationwide to address the stigma of mental health and ending the silence of child abuse and suicide.

Michael is also the founder and director of The Surviving Spirit; a monthly newsletter and website sharing resources to help those impacted by trauma, abuse and mental health challenges.

S.E.S.A.M.E.
twitter SurvivinSpirit
Michael Skinner Music
Surviving Spirit Web Site
Mike Skinner’s YouTube page
A teacher who was asking questions and I couldn’t answer those questions.
School should be a place of safety.
Showing that kid that you caare for them as a human being.
Nothing about us without us.
What would make the school a safe place?
The powerful connection of music.
Be aware of mission creep.
Trauma is disconnecting us, Music and the Arts connect us.
What has happened to you?
1in6 and male survivor
Repressed vs Suppresed memory
National sexual exploitation hotline. 1 (800) 656–4673

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Brandon Laur has been employed with Personal Protection Systems working as a White Hatter for over 12 years.
Since May 2013, Brandon has been operating in a management position in the organization overseeing special project developments; most recently, developing the White Hatter production studio and the subsequent YouTube channel, livestream, and webinar platforms.
He has a master’s degree in Professional Communication, specializing in phishing cyberattacks.
Brandon actively facilitates educational programs designed for students of all ages, parents, teachers, and business professionals on the topics of privacy, security, digital literacy, and online digital intelligence gathering.
In addition to these responsibilities, Brandon is multi-certified and continuing to receive ongoing training in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) to use in conjunction with his security experience and academic pursuits.
Brandon’s real-world experience using social media and the internet has played a major role in the growth of all internet and social media safety programs offered by The White Hatter.

Why technology/internet is always such the focus of concern
Parenting online: what can they do the best parent today’s youth
Teens sexting rates, challenges, research
What is the best security tips to consumers to prevent being haked/scammed
Juvenoia - overexagerration of fear of kids getting involved in something new.
Interventions for youth struggling.
How to define sexting.
Parents using phones as pacifiers.

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Ben Meiselas is a civil rights lawyer and the founder of Meidas Touch.

Background is a civil rights Lawyer - strange to be associated with Meidas Touch
Meidas Touch started during the quarantine.
You’ve been in the public spotlight for various things - how has this been different?
Be as transparent about who you are.
Transparency - putting our personalities out there.
How they think about what they post.
Thinking about the language that they are using and how it reflects on their biases.
Kids under 14 or 15 shouldn’t be having the conversations that I am having.
Meidas University
How they handle teaching cyberethics, copyright, and more.
Differentiating between political leanings and being pro-democracy
The Trial of the Chicago 7
It’s about whether you support or don’t support democracy

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Brian Devine is the Director of Educator Licensure at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. He has been with the Department since 1997 and has been leading the Licensure Office since 2004. In 2014 and 2015, he was recognized as part of teams that received the Manuel Carballo Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service for his teamwork on implementing Rethinking Equity and Teaching for English Language Learners (RETELL) and his leadership in directing the Licensure Office our of a tremendous backlog of applications. Most recently, he was awarded two Pride in Performance Awards in 2020 for his work on the creation of a new emergency license and for how the Licensure Office responded during the pandemic. Brian is currently serving on the NASDTEC Executive Board as the Northeast Regional Director and previously served on the Board from 2008–2014, including President in 2012–13. After graduating from Salem State University, he obtained licensure as a history and social studies teacher and later earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from Framingham State University.

What the director of licensure does!
400 school districts and 80,000 educators who need to be licensed.
Changes over the last several years
Smartphones, internet use, social media
Increase in volume of cases over the years.
Clearinghouse with NASDTEC to go out through other states.
Challenge of different restrictions on educators and infringing on their ability to be human beings or parents, themselves.
The burden of checking is on the local district.
Department could have subpoena power.
How states get information on actions taken in other states.
Good moral educator clause
What should districts do to reduce tech-related educator misconduct?
Do more to support prevention
What should teachers individually do to reduce tech-related educator misconduct?
Pay attention to what they’re doing, and look at what the impression may be that they are sending.
NEA has built microcredentials
Watch for grooming behaviors.
NASDTEC Courses

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In this episode Jethro and Fred talk with Quinton B. Dale, who investigates teachers who are applying for licensure in Massachussetts.
Quinton B. Dale Is currently the Chief of Investigations for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Office of Professional Practices Investigations. He previously served as Director of the Investigation Division, Deputy Director of the Investigation Division and as an Investigator for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
Mr. Dale also previously served as a Corrections Counselor for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. Mr. Dale has also served as a Commissioner for the Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct and on the Board of Directors for St. Francis House. Mr. Dale is a graduate of Northeastern University, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. * What inspired Q to get in to education from Criminal Justice * Slipperly slopes for new educators coming into the profession. * Trouble with being the “cool teachder” * We’re not here to be your friend, we’re here to be your teachers! * How social media has impacted inappropriate student-teacher relationships. * It’s much more blatant than it was before. * How to keep boundaries in tact. * Set boundaries for time and what you talk about. Stay in your lane. * Use school equipment in all communications. * As long as it is good for the student, it’s fine. As soon as it goes awry, they’re going to use the information against you. * How to maintain boundaries on social media with students. * How to support teachers who have made some mistakes. * Be sure to check out NASDTEC

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In this episode we talk with Marlena Gross-Taylor about how to establish screen time policies and routines that will carry them into their lifetimes. We also talk about the ways that schools have had to change because of the pandemic.

Marlena Gross-Taylor is an amazing school leader and founder of Edugladiators. They are all about doing what is best for kids. Marlena has been a friend of mine for years, she is also an author, speaker, and consultant.

Links

Stressed about your kids’ screen time? Don’t be.
The pandemic is changing a parent’s mind about phones
Why not all screen time is the same for children
Kids used to love screen time. Then schools made Zoom mandatory all day long

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Rob Shavell has been working on protecting the online security and digital footprint of individuals and businesses for more than 10 years. He is the founder of Abine & DeleteMe (joindeleteme.com) which seek to prevent data brokers from selling your information.

Entrepreneurs want to solve a big problem.
For the typical person, what we find isn’t useful information.
Blatant exposure of person’s information.
We don’t realize that we are giving the resale permission.
Technology gets better faster and cheaper.
Remove 2400 specific pieces of information
The strange things in the information that is out there.
Remove yourself from brokers
2 factor authentication set up.
Ad/Tracker blocker
Algorithms as it relates to location, genetic and facial recognition
Signing up without giving companies all your real information.
Technology just gets better, faster, cheaper.
The Transparent Society by David Brin
How algorithms are preventing people from achieving their potential?

Thanks to our mission partner: Buoyancy Digital is proud to be the inaugural Mission Partner for the Cybertraps Podcast series. A digital advertising consultancy with an ethos, Buoyancy was founded by Scott Rabinowitz, who has been in digital media since 1997 and has overseen $300 million in youth safety compliant ad buys across all digital platforms. For IAB, Google and Bing accredited brand and audience safe advertising sales solutions, media buying and organizational training for media publishers, let’s chat.

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Scott C. Tennant is a Senior Program Strategist with Risk Program Administrators and the Deputy Executive Director of the School Pool for Excess Liability Limits Joint Insurance Fund commonly referred to as SPELL by its 83 school district members. Scott has been in the insurance and risk management field for 33 years, beginning as a retail broker focused on public agencies and migrating to public entity pool management in 1989. Scott is passionate about helping pools support their member public agency member/owners manage and mitigate risk to ensure a safe environment and to drive their total cost of risk down. In addition to these roles, Scott is a member of the National Council for the Advancement of Educator Ethics, a subcommittee of NASDTEC, a member of the Legislative Committee of the the New Jersey Self Insured Association, a founding member of PRIMA-NJ and active with AGRIP, PRIMA and NJASBO.

Public Enterprise was too risky, so insurance companies made it more expensive.
Not dealing with it because they weren’t getting a lot of claims.
Cyber’s going to be like a giant snowstorm.
Cyber liability policies are not making any money for insurance companies.
It’s not easy to setting up effective preventative measures.
More understanding and a better consensus of thought.
Sexual Abuse & Molestation claims
If it’s not a thoughtful discussion, then it is accusatory.

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Louis-David Mangin is the CEO of Confiant, Inc. Confiant is the first company to launch a malvertising product that captured harmful ads in real time, protecting users from forceful redirects and phishing scams (like the very recent Elon Musk bitcoin fiasco). Confiant also just launched the first-ever Privacy Compliance Product to ensure consent matches with GDPR and CCPA and similar evolving regulations (Confiant has a very robust research arm on the pulse of emerging regulatory).

What you can do is know what to do with an idea!
Infected and broken ads were a problem.
How infected ads work.
Ads were running in Flash.
Industry debt - infrastructure debt that the advertising industry has.
3 types of software - software written by engineer, advertising tech, security tech.
In Ad industry 15% of video ads don’t work right off the bat.
The good news is that the industry is paying attention.
Pay attention to the ads that show up. Tell the site that you don’t like the ads.
Look at whether the site cares about advertising standards.
Consent is a currency.
Browser fingerprinting is barely legal and cannot be consented to.
What does consent mean?
Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss - A fake Yes is the easiest thing to get to.
In order to be held accountable, you have to know the what are we being held accountable for
Malicious clickbait ads are technically cloaked to load as the “correct ad” unless that person matches their target profile.
The Cybersecurity 202: The Biden administration rolls out a 100-day plan to improve electric grid cybersecurity
Tag Barnakle: The Malvertiser That Hacks Revive Ad Servers, Redirects Victims To Malware
Link to the most recent Malvertising and Ad Quality Index

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Philippe Humeau graduated in 1999 as IT security engineer from EPITA (Paris, France). He founded his first company right after school and dedicated it to red team penetration testing and high security hosting. He was also deeply involved in Magento’s community creation & animation in France and versed into eCommerce (wrote 4 books on the topic).

After selling this first company (NBS System), his eternal crushes for Cyber security and entrepreneurship led him to create a new company in 2020. CrowdSec was born, an open-source software editor behind the eponymous massively multiplayer firewall, leveraging both IP behavior & reputation to create a community and tackle the mass scale hacking problem.

Real-world hacking learning experiences.
Hacking is about the size of 4th or 5th largest country’s GDP.
Hacking is organized, industrialized, and professional.
Wardriving - cruise through neighborhoods looking for open or weak wifi signals and being untraceable.
Education is key in security. [[cybertraps heather stratford]]
Red Team penetration - hacking into places with permission to validate security.
SQL Injection to the search bar on TV!
CrowdSec - big companies are trying to defend themselves with lots of money, and they are failing.
A super soldier is not the answer.
If you want to take on an army, you have have a bigger army.
One vulnerability - hackers don’t like getting woken up by FBI.
Behavior logs says what happened.
How does a normal consumer get involved.
Exposed IPs (IPs that people use for ) need to be protected.
Poisoning the network by sending bad information.
Gaining trust.
Whitelist
Automation
Goal is to cripple the hacking community.
We gave up on human validation.
One IP is scanned 1000 times per day.
Most hackers are used to people protecting them.
Consumers: use a linux box to filter internet.
Use privacy tools to keep their information private.
Tools that allow you to decline cookies automatically.
DNS that protects privacy
Cloudflare 111 app.
VPN - multi-factor authentication
Update your devices.
WPS - deactivate that.
password ideas - 3 levels
Garbage: music_tuning for tuning
Middle Level: mozart&&NameofSite
High security level: 20 characters with characters and phrases
1/ Hacking, globally, where do we stand?

2/ Why do you think collaborative security is key to solving the mass hacking problem?

3/ Why is Hacking, a 30 year old problem, not solved?

4/ Is there a risk that someone can break this kind of reputation system?

5/ How to deal with IPV4 NAT addresses?

6/ What technologies are CrowdSec already compatible with?

7/ IP reputation had a dubious reputation in the past, why will it succeed now?

8/ Why is Open source so obvious for cybersecurity space up to you?

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We are excited to announce the formation of the Center for Cyberethics!

We invite you to check out the new web site and of course, Donate! :)

We are looking for all kinds of people to help us with the Center, so if you are interested, please reach out!

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Neil Gurnhill Founder and CEO of Node International and Cyberman365.

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Bliss Landon is a longtime Insurance Specialist and the Founder, President, and CEO of U-PIC Insurance Services, Inc., where she provides leadership and direction to her senior management team, and dictates the overall culture of the organization.

Since 1989, Bliss has been dedicated to providing low cost shipping insurance to individuals and businesses. She understands the need for peace of mind when it comes to shipping valuable items, as well as getting claims processed quickly if any items are damaged. To her, people aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet.

Bliss has more than 30 years of experience leading teams in sales, marketing, and customer support. Her leadership has contributed significantly to the explosive growth of U-PIC in the eCommerce and educational technology sectors. She played a key role in creating partnerships and alliances with organizations like the United States Postal Service, Amazon, DHL eCommerce, and more.

Having provided coverage for over 25 years to individual sellers, small businesses, and to some of the largest most well-known companies in the world, Bliss and U-PIC launched School Device Coverage, which provides school districts’ and families’ at-home devices protection against accidental damage, broken screens, charging failure, electrical failure, loss, theft, vandalism, and more. Bliss knows students study hard and play harder. Considering teens and young people are constantly on the go with their devices, accidents are bound to happen. School Device Coverage offers peace of mind against loss, damage or theft of those devices while they are in possession of students.

Additionally, Bliss is a member of the Women Presidents’ Organization, and the Parcel Shipping Organization. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from San Diego State University, and lives with her family in Hidden Hills, CA.

Universal Parcel insurance Company (U-PIC)
1:1 program means a school is issuing a device to students.
Schools using technology so much more
Many things that happen with devices don’t fall under the warranty.
1 claim is a cracked screen, keys falling off, then liquid damage.
How to prevent damage? Age of device, cases, educate kids on how to take care of them!
How to get parents involved: parent-buy programs have less claims than school districts.
Teacher insurance programs are not implemented in the same way as for students.
Bliss Landon’s company does not provide support for technical loss (like ransomware, malware, etc.)
The most efficient way to help is to have extra on hand.
Good rule of thumb is to have 5% extra on hand.

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Jason Hong is a full professor in the Human Computer Interaction Institute, which is part of the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). He was formerly an associate editor for IEEE Pervasive Computing, and currently on the editorial board for ACM Transactions on Computer Human Interaction. He has chaired or co-chaired a number of technical program committees, including HotMobile, Mobisys, and CHI, and has also served on SIGMOBILE’s test of time committee (mobile computing papers over 10 years old that should be recognized for their impact). He is also a 2010 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow, a PopTech Science Fellow, a Kavli Fellow, a New America National Cybersecurity Fellow, and a member of CHI Academy, which is “an honorary group of individuals who have made substantial contributions to the field of human-computer interaction”. Lastly, he co-founded Wombat Security Technologies, a startup that commercialized our NSF-funded research on anti-phishing and was acquired by Proofpoint for $225M in 2018

In this episode we talk about how to be smarter about cybersecurity, based on research. How to increase the chances that someone will make wise decisions relating to cybersecurity.

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In this episode we talk with Bjarke Calvin about his new service, TimerKid and why screentime and communication is so important.

Bjarke Calvin comes from a media background, and has spend a lot of time on projects that battle the negative effects of social media. That led to a deep interest in how we can generally use our digital devices and internet content in a more healthy way. His current project is called TimerKid, and we help families balance their screen activity in an easy way. Before that he founded duckling.co which is an alternative social media, without advertising, algorithms and spam. He started his career as a journalist, and from 2004 to 2009, was executive editor with the worlds leading photo agency, Magnum Photos in New York City. He helped build a new million-dollar business area before becoming an entrepreneur with a focus on media technology. He has also worked as an advisor for media corporations like PBS, TIME and NY Times. Bjarke is an alumni fellow with MIT Open Doclab, and a frequent speaker at conferences and universities worldwide, such as MIT, Harvard TEDx, and SXSW. He currently lives in Copenhagen Denmark, with his wife and two kids, ages eight and six.

Interactive documentary - the thing we now know as stories on Instagram.
Independent publishing and social media.
Was looking forward to the braintrust that social media owould be, but instead we have people sharing fail and dance videos.
The Rabbit Hole Podcast
Mastodon Social Network
The right model vs the sexiness of it.
TimerKid is about managing screentime for kids in an easy way.
Parenting Paradigm in Scandinavia based on trust and collaboration.
Real focus on humanity and ethics in Nordic regions.
You sit down with your kids, and talk together to decide things.

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Keith Zamudio began his career as an educator in 1979 in Somerton, Arizona where he met his wife, best friend, and partner, Kathy, of 36 years. He has been an educator for nearly forty years, thirty-three in Alaska. Keith began exploring the use of instructional technologies as a learning tool in 1984. In 1988, he began to teach fourth graders to keyboard, and learn basic file management skills on Apple IIe’s.

In this episode we talk with Keith Zamudio about raising his kids with technology, his 33 year career in Alaska, and how to trust kids with technology.

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Facebook opened to people over 13 on September 2006

Laws and Regulations
- Child Online Protection Act (COPA) (unconstitutional)
- Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
- The child safety problem on platforms is worse than we knew
Company Policies
- Overview of age limits on various social media
Possible Risks
- Cyberbullying and Cyberharassment
- Body Dysmorphia
- Just Plain Envy / Dissatisfaction
- Sexual Harassment, Grooming, Assault
Parenting Kids on Social Media
- Be a Good Role Model
- Mentors not Friends or influencers
- Follow Your Kids
- Supervision is Not Surveillance
- Communication!!!!
- Social media benefits and risks: children and teenagers
- What’s the average age when kids get a social media account?

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Lita Schmitt is a retired corporate intranet, training, and documentation professional, getting her start when PCs replaced terminals at work and hard drives were optional. In this episode we interview Lita and her daughter Katie about how they learned about technology in their home.

What tech was like when Lita started teaching it to her kids.
Babysitting devices & gaming systems.
How Lita introduced tech to her kids.
Katie got her first laptop at 3. Used it for Freddie Fish, PuttPutt Saves the Zoo. Disk install. Stand-alone use – no connectivity.
Katie’s friends’ thoughts on her not having a phone: Are your parents strict? Mom is a prude. (Mom always said to blame her.) Not “cool” kid. Lots of shit for not having it.
How KATIE viewed the Internet: A blank space. Ask a question and answers come back. You had a purpose. A homework assignment to get info or music. No awareness of Search History, and later what the “cloud” was and what would be stored there.
When friends started having home systems crash with viruses from their kids using their systems. Internet was disabled on the kids’ systems.
What was happening in friends’ homes?
How to help when kids cross the line
What they would do differently.

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David Ryan Polgar is the founder of All Tech is Human. He recently created a report called Improving Social Media. David Ryan Polgar is a pioneering tech ethicist, Responsible Tech advocate, and expert on ways to improve social media and our information ecosystem. David is the founder of All Tech Is Human, an organization committed to building the Responsible Tech pipeline by making it more diverse, multidisciplinary, and aligned with the public interest. As the leader of All Tech Is Human, he has spearheaded the development of three recent reports: Guide to Responsible Tech: How to Get Involved & Build a Better Tech Future, The Business Case for AI Ethics: Moving From Theory to Action, and Improving Social Media: The People, Organizations and Ideas for a Better Tech Future.
In March 2020, David became a member of TikTok’s Content Advisory Council, providing expertise around the delicate and difficult challenges facing social media platforms to expand expression while limiting harm.
The main throughline throughout David’s work is that we need a collaborative, multi-stakeholder, and multidisciplinary approach in order to build a tech future that is aligned with the public interest.

Tech Ethicist
Creating rules around how we can have a better society.
We set up the conditions for people to discriminate.
Strong democracy is contingent on shared truth
Attorneys think of wrost case scenario, but tech founders look at best-case scenarios.
This isn’t about tech.
We didn’t foresee this…It’s a surprise to people who are pushing an agenda, but not a surprise to people who have been planning and researching it.
Power structures.
Meme literacy should be taught more in school.
Section 230 - Social media is an amagamation of several different types of companies.
Gordian Knot
Power goes back to
Cyberspace Manifesto
Teens are on a platform that is defines teens as more than just users.
IBM Watson - IBM Thinkleaders

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Vern Abila is an accomplished broad-spectrum security, investigative and training professional with nearly 30 years of comprehensive, large scale leadership and operational experience in diversified domestic and international fields.

For the past nineteen years, Vern has been the President and CEO of Abila Security & Investigations. Inc. (ASI) and has led ASI from a micro business operating from his home to a successful multi-million-dollar worldwide organization, earning the Colorado Small Minority Businessperson of the year for 2012.

Vern’s core competencies are corporate complex litigation investigations, threat and vulnerability assessments, surveillance and counter-surveillance operations, specialized critical incident training, logistical support, riot control tactics, overseas courier services, along with a wide variety of low and high-threat protective details, pre-employment screening services. Mr. Abila is considered a subject matter expert by the U.S. Department of State in VIP Protection, Critical Infrastructure, National Leadership and Diplomatic Security for their Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program.

The combination of cyber, operational, physical security.
Association of Threat Assessment Professionals
Relationship between physical and cyber security.
Training is not just for the one person, it's for everyone.
Does this person belong
Role of social media and personal privacy in the security realm.
Lots of people trying to tear them down. Looking for people who are trying to find a cause.
Doxxing & Hardening the target.
- Parents, know what your kids are doing.
- Very difficult, everyone is public knowledge
- Find people through relatives, so talk to them.
Growing interest in joining the influencer community.
Helping schools become more preventative
How to harden the target:
Threat and vulnerability assessment
Build on a plan
"Knowing a person" could be a double-edged sword.
Don't be single-focused on one aspect
How to talk to police.
Real talk.

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In this episode, Fred and Jethro discuss two listener questions:

How do I talk to my son when he is afraid I'll take away his phone?
Should we jam cellular signals or boost them

Contribute your questions at https://link.cybertraps.com/QuestionsandFeedback

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Jeanne Collins is the Superintendent of Rutland Northeast supervisory union in Vermont. We talk about how she handled technology for students during the pandemic.

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In this episode Richard Lucero of Transparentsee talks about his goal to improve communication among teachers, students, and parents by establishing effective three way communication.

Richard Lucero is a lifelong educator with over 25 years of experience as a classroom teacher, coach and administrator. I have worked at all levels from elementary, middle and high school and college and university arenas. I have worked in rural and urban settings as well as both economically challenged and affluent communities.Richard has a diverse collection of experiences and has been fortunate to have worked in Texas, Florida, Indiana and New York. He received his undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University and graduate degree from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.

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An expert on digital literacy, Graber writes, presents, and is interviewed about technology’s impact upon human behavior. Her no-nonsense approach comes from being an educator, media producer, academic, and most of all, a mom.
She is the co-founder of CyberWise, and she developed (and still teaches) Cyber Civics, the popular middle school digital literacy program currently being taught in schools in 47 US states and internationally.
She’s served as Adjunct Faculty, teaching Media Psychology to graduate students.
Her paper, New Media Literacies: A Developmental Approach, was published in the Journal of Media Literacy Education (JMLE).
In 2019, she published “Raising Humans in a Digital World: Helping Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Technology”

Frank Herbert: “Once, men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them.”

Links * NY Times Headline A/B Testing * “Raising Humans in a Digital World: Helping Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Technology”

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Show Topics
- Compendium here.
- Feedback & Questions
- So what’s going on
- Activision Reveals Malware Disguised as ‘Call of Duty: Warzone’ Cheats
- Just Try Parenting
- Facebook’s plans to create a kid-specific version of Instagram
- The upcoming Supreme Court arguments over whether a cheerleader’s profane rant on Snapchat is entitled to First Amendment protection
- The massive “rape culture” scandal in British private schools
- An award-winning program by California high school students to reduce distracted driving by teens

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Adam Stone is a skilled business leader with 20+ years’ overseeing the implementation and development of data privacy and security innovations. A business development professional with the spirit of an entrepreneur and the boundless enthusiasm of a Russell terrier.
Vice President Solutions Delivery and Chief Privacy Officer at TrustMAPP
Adjunct Professor at the University of Minnesota in the College of Continuing and Professional Studies (CCAPS) Health Services Management (HSM) Program
Specialties: Data Privacy and Security Leadership | Business Development and Budget Management | Advocacy and Outreach | Program and Project Management | Civic Leadership | Communications and Marketing | Organizational Strategy | Government Affairs and Compliance | Retained CPO and DPO | GDPR | International, Federal and State Data Protection Law

Background – TrustMAPP
Data Privacy Generally – What Is It?
Globalization of Privacy – General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
HIPAA – Help or Hindrance – Pandemic
Data Breaches – Consumers
Selective curation of social media.
Cybersecurity – Leading Issues
Government oversight vs. security vs. privacy.
National Security – Solar Winds
Recommendations for Parents & Kids re data privacy

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Carrie Goldberg is a personal injury lawyer against big tech. Carrie Goldberg, Esq.(https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-goldberg–04511a6/).

Carrie is the founder of C.A. Goldberg, PLLC, a Brooklyn-based law firm specializing in cases involving “revenge porn” (or “electronic sexual assault”), stalking and harassment, victim’s rights, domestic violence, and a variety of other topics on the cutting edges of law and technology. Carrie has handled a number of high-profile cases, including most recently the efforts of former Rep. Katie Hill to sue the Daily Mail (UK) for publishing photos of her without her consent.

Anti-Slapp Laws
Carrie’s Book “Nobody’s Victim: Fighting Harassment Online & Off” (2019)
Electronic Sexual Assault

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In this episode we talk with Attorney Mark Zaid about whistleblowers, Clinton’s email server, classified information and processes, and much more.

Mark S. Zaid is a Washington, D.C. based attorney who specializes in crisis management and innovatively handling simple and complex administrative and litigation matters relating to national security, international law, foreign sovereign and diplomatic immunity, and the Freedom of Information/Privacy Acts.
Through his practice Mr. Zaid often represents former/current federal employees, particularly intelligence and military officers, defense contractors, Whistleblowers and others who have grievances, have been wronged or are being investigated by agencies of the United States Government or foreign governments, as well as members of the media. Mr. Zaid teaches the D.C. Bar Continuing Legal Education classes on “The Basics of Filing and Litigating Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Requests” (since 2003), “Defending Security Clearances” (since 2006) and “Handling Whistleblower Cases: More Than the Basics” (since 2016).
Since 2009, he has been named a Washington, D.C. Super Lawyer every year (including being profiled) and he is repeatedly named a “Best Lawyer” in Washingtonian Magazine’s bi-annual designation for his national security or whistleblower work. The Magazine also named him one of D.C.’s Most Influential People in 2021. In 2020, the Washington Metropolitan Employment Lawyer’s Association named him “Attorney of the Year” for his work on the Intelligence Community Whistleblower’s case. As the National Law Journal once wrote, “if Agent Mulder ever needed a lawyer, Zaid would be his man.”

Technology has changed what any lawyer does.
Communication strategies
Scapegoats
Dealing with the intelligence community
Whistleblower Aid
Freedom of Information Act requests.
The one thing to stay more secure - stay off of social media and don’t use email.

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Cyber Crisis: Protecting Your Business from Real Threats in the Virtual World Today, we talk with Dr. Eric Cole, former hacker who now runs a security firm. He is the author of Cyber Crisis: Protecting Your Business from Real Threats in the Virtual World. Dr. Cole is the founder of Secure Anchor, a cybersecurity firm that works with companies to make the internet a safer place to do business. has written several books on cybersecurity and he’s frequently called upon as the go-to expert by CNN, Fox, CBS, and NBC. He was one of the authors of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s cybersecurity guide and received a cyber wingman award from the Air Force for building out and developing their entire cybersecurity program.

Employed as a professional hacker by CIA
It’s boring is if you always get it in.
The biggest marketing scam on earth is calling these devices smart!
No matter what, you are a target!
With everything being online, there are no secrets.
[[cybertraps brandon karpf]]
The biggest demographic that is targeted by cyberattacks is retired folks over 65.
If you have not talked to them, you are doing a disservice.
Security may be built in, but it’s not on by default.
Many-factor authentication & notifications - In your bank, settings, security or advanced, account notification.
Use different devices for different actions.
People assume what they’re doing is secure, and that mindset is the worst thing you can do.
Figure out the superset of tools for teachers, install it, and take away admin rights.
Application whitelisting.

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Tom Harrison is a Reader, HEA Principle Fellow and National Teaching Fellow. He is Director of Education at the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues and Programme Director for the MA in Character Education. Tom is also the books editor for the British Journal of Educational Studies (BJES), Secretary and Trustee for the Society for Educational Studies (SES) and Secretary and Trustee for the Association for Character Education (ACE).
Tom Harrison’s specialist interests are character, cyber-wisdom and the Internet; character education and virtue ethics; youth social action and citizenship education. Tom researches, publishes and gives presentations in the UK and Internationally in these areas as well as developing resources and training programmes for schools, voluntary sector and other organisations.
His most recent book is Thrive – how to cultivate character so your children can flourish online published in January 2021.
Questions / Background Notes
- Ph.D. on the influence of the Internet on eleven- to fourteen-year-olds - #2020–07–22 “Unique ethical challenges for the 21st century: online technology and virtue education”
We argue that education directed at the cultivation of cyber-wisdom and other cyber-virtues provides our best chance of creating a moral vocabulary that can guide us towards living well in the 21st century.
The aim of this article is to offer the first outline an educational model, founded on neo-Aristotelian theory, that illustrates how these qualities could be cultivated through moral education.
2021–01–14 Thrive: How to Cultivate Character So That Your Child Can Flourish Online
Cultivating Cyber-Wisdom through Character Education
“Doing the right thing for the right reasons when online”
Pedagogical Approaches to Developing Cyber Wisdom
Activities to Cultivate Cyber-wisdom
2021–03 “A New Educational Model for Online Flourishing: A Pragmatic Approach to Integrating Moral Theory for Cyber-Flourishing”
The model is constructed through a pragmatic approach to moral theory, adopting the central tenets of deontology, utilitarianism and virtue ethics, and showing how these can be integrated and put to work by teachers to tackle online harms.
The model is comprised of three core components, cyber-rules, cyber-wisdom and cyber-flourishing, and each is explained in detail in the article.
Cyber-rules must be put in place by schools to provide the foundations for the cultivation of character and cyber-wisdom.
Cyber-wisdom is the individual quality of doing the right thing, at the right time, especially when no one is looking.
Cyber-flourishing is defined as authentic happiness that comes from living morally in the online world, and is the utility value that we should all strive for.
The article concludes by outlining nine educational practices that demonstrate how teachers can adopt and implement the model in their schools. The model is the first attempt in the world to integrate moral theory into an educational model that provides an overarching and whole-school approach to tackling pressing everyday online concerns.
Character is experiencing a resurgence – but is it too late?

THRIVE: How to Cultivate Character So Your Children Can Flourish Online (A How to Book)

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In this episode, Jethro and Fred discuss the recently released audio course, "Raising Cybertethical Kids." Use the promo code Cybertraps to save 50%!

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In this episode we talk with Dr. Wendy Oliver round digital safety. This is a simulcast with Dr. Oliver's Building the Bridge podcast.

Links
- Not Your Mama’s Classroom: What You Need to Know as a Parent About Your Child’s Digital Education
Guest Bio
- Dr. Wendy Oliver is a highly qualified Tennessee teacher and administrator who has pioneered digital learning across multiple states and school districts. She has authored digital teaching standards and developed software that allows teachers to self-assess their knowledge of digital instruction. Wendy is currently the Chief Learning Officer for EdisonLearning, leading efforts to deliver high-quality, innovative digital learning solutions to hundreds of schools across the U.S.
- Wendy is author of a book for parents, “Not Your Mama’s Classroom: What You Need to Know as a Parent About Your Child’s Digital Education,” and the upcoming book for educators, Not Your Mama’s Classroom: Facilitating Engaging, Student-Centered Digital Instruction. No matter which hat she’s wearing, her goal is simple – to empower learners.
- Follow Dr. Wendy Oliver on Twitter @oliver_dr
  - What is the outlook for the education system over the next 5–10 years? As more students of all ages are participating in online or hybrid schooling, how is exposure to online risks increasing?
  - How do educators have the right conversations with parents and students around digital safety?
  - K–12 education is trending toward digital and that’s not just going to stop. It’s not a system parents and students can just “opt out” of, but can they influence and change the system to work better? Particularly thinking about students’ rights, privacy and safety.
  - Are there legal and ethical obligations coming into play for teachers when students go online, which they may not even be aware of? What are they?

Not Your Mama's Classroom: What You Need to Know as a Parent About Your Child’s Digital Education

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Show Outline
- Fred and Jethro: What’s New
- “Raising Cyberethical Kids: An Audio Course”
- You Are There – Signing of the Declaration of Independence
- Educators are eager to use social media in and out of the classroom
  - Garett Talcott (@vividmichael) (TikTok) - #2021–03–24 Kindergarten teacher goes viral for enthusiastic remote field trip to zoo
  - 2021–03–23 Redmond kindergarten teacher gains social media fame for unique virtual lessons
  - Emmanuel Robinson (@RobsRobins) (Twitter) (_mannymoves) Instagram - #2021–03–04 Atlanta’s ‘Teacher Bae’ And His Virtual Classes Have Gone ViralAtlanta’s ‘Teacher Bae’ And His Virtual Classes Have Gone Viral
  - 2021–03–01 Meet Atlanta’s ‘Teacher Bae’ whose virtual classes have gone viral
  - Phil Cook (@chemteacherphil) - #2020–01–17 TikTok’s favorite chemistry teacher wants you to be careful with hydrogen peroxide
- The Lure of Fame / The Need for Cash - #2018–08–31 Teachers Are Moonlighting As Instagram Influencers To Make Ends Meet
- Defining EdTech
  - the combination of IT tools and educational practices aimed at facilitating and enhancing learning.
- 92% of teachers believe tech is going to have a major impact on the way they educate their students in the near future
  - https://builtin.com/edtech
- Privacy and Educational Technology
  - https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/
  - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  - Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)
  - Potential challenges:
    - Intellectual property
    - Information sharing
    - Web hosting
    - Data storage
- Benefits of EdTech
  - For Students
    - Increased collaboration
      - Response: potential for bullying
    - 24/7 access
      - Response: increased pressure, no down time
    - “Flipping the classroom”
      - Response: challenging shift in traditional power dynamic
    - Personalized educational experience
      - Response: possible loss of core educational goals
    - Attention-grabbing lessons
      - Response: ADD is already a problem; boredom happens
  - For Teachers
    - Automated grading
      - Response: growing emphasis on standardized tests and machine-readable answers is the opposite of personalization
    - Classroom management tools
      - Response: using edtech to manage classroom reduces actual teacher-student interaction
    - Paperless classrooms
      - Response: favors more tech-savvy teachers, has potential to increase digital divide
    - Eliminating guesswork in assessment
      - Response: again, pushes concept of standardized testing and scoring
  - Hack Education Audrey Watters http://hackeducation.com/2019/12/31/what-a-shitshow
- Social Media Is NOT EdTech
  - Not specifically designed for classroom use
  - No specific privacy protections for students and families
  - Increased risk of misuse of information
  - Much more difficult to monitor
- Some pedagogical benefit but care is required

Buoyancy Digital is proud to be the inaugural Mission Partner for the Cybertraps Podcast series. A digital advertising consultancy with an ethos, Buoyancy was founded by Scott Rabinowitz, who has been in digital media since 1997 and has overseen $300 million in youth safety compliant ad buys across all digital platforms. For IAB, Google and Bing accredited brand and audience safe advertising sales solutions, media buying and organizational training for media publishers, let’s chat.
For more information on working with Scott & Buoyancy Digital, visit BuoyancyDigital.com or @scottrmedia on LinkedIn.

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Marc Edward Netka (Born January 19, 1963 in Bayshore NY) is an American Entrepreneur and CEO, recognized as an expert in the use and implementation of technology in classrooms. He has worked with many international companies, helping them successfully enter the US K–12 Education marketplace, and currently sits on the K–12 advisory board of D&H Distributing Company, a $3.5Bil technology hardware and equipment distributor.

His current company, STS Education, is one of seven Platinum re-sellers for Promethean, the worldwide leader in interactive flat-panel technology, to education.

Marc lives with his wife Gloria and three sons in Newbury Park California.

How can schools make better decisions about purchasing technology?
How can ed tech companies aid in the reduction of the digital resource divide that was so starkly revealed by the pandemic?
What considerations about privacy, ethics, and safety should schools consider when purchasing technology?
What role can parents play in influencing ed tech purchases and implementation in their schools?
How does STS Education solicit and integrate parental input?
What ed tech trends should schools and IT departments be following?

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Show outline

If you have questions you’d like answered, please visit the Questions and Feedback page on Cybertraps.com
The focus today is on the interactions among adults in our school communities
Teachers, administrators, school board members, and parents
Social media has altered the traditional power dynamics of the school community
School Board members
2021 CA – Entire school board resigns after swearing and joking about parents during virtual meeting
- “They want their babysitters back.”
- “Parents want to be home alone so that they can smoke pot.”
- Profane, threatening language against a parent who criticized her on social media
2020 FL – School board member resigns after making racist comments on FB about Kamala Harris
2016 VT – Burlington School Board member sharply criticized for contents of FB feed
Administrators
2020 VT – Principal fired for “insanely tone-deaf” Facebook post criticizing Black Lives Matter movement
- Principal’s attempt to apologize not successful
2019 NY – Superintendent resigns after wife tweets out allegations of an affair with a subordinate
2018 TX – Superintendent resigns after writing on a public FB page that “You can’t count on a black QB”
- “As an educator, this experience has taught me that I still have a lot to learn,” Redden wrote to board president Ted Wiggins. “My comments were not only uninformed but also hurtful, and I understand now why they were offensive to so many people.”
- Redden said he mistakenly thought he was responding to a friend’s private message. He deleted the post, but Spring resident Matt Ericksen sent the Chronicle screenshots of the comment Monday.
2015 LA – High school principal and her husband get backlash for posting image of them wearing their “people of Walmart” Halloween costumes
- Classism and racism?
- Just having fun?
Teachers
One Scottish teacher’s union described the combination of smartphones and social media as “catastrophic” for its members
- Orwellian scrutiny
2021 WI – High school english teacher (and wife of superintendent) placed on leave after series of racist, homophobic, and transphobic remarks on social media
- Superintendent also on leave
- New law firm brought in to investigate
2020 CA – Los Angeles teacher flees her home with her daughter after receiving death threats when an ‘angry parent shared a photo of her’ wearing an ‘I Can’t Breathe’ T-shirt during a virtual class
2018 OH – Teacher fired after encouraging preschoolers to fight and posting videos to Snapchat
2017 NJ – Teacher fired and had license suspended for two years after she describes students as “losers” on Facebook
2017 ND – Teacher resigns after investigation over offensive tweets about her special ed students
Parents
Steady rise in social media bullying of teachers and administrators by parents
Teachers argue that social media is making parents more aggressive
Parents have access to much more information about schools and teachers, increasing the potential for complaints and activism
2020 – Multiple reports of parents drinking, smoking pot, and wandering around half-dressed during their kids’ remote classes
2018 Ireland – Teacher successfully sues parent for libel over social media post
2016 Mexico – Parents successfully demand firing of teacher after spring break dance video circulates online
What Can Be Done?
Should schools ask parents to sign agreements about how they will use social media with respect to teachers and the school itself?
THINK before you POST!!!
Know how the technology works
Slow down

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In this episode we talk about the nation-state problems that are facing the homes, corporations, and country in the cyber-world, and what we can do to overcome the challenges facing us.

Brandon Karpf is a Naval Cryptologist and cyber ops professional. A proud New Jersey native, he spent his formative years in the mid–2000s finding trouble on and off the Internet. After discovering the value of structure at the US Naval Academy, he went on to serve as an operations officer at the National Security Agency and US Cyber Command in Fort Meade, Maryland, and as the head of information warfare on USS Boxer in San Diego, California. Passionate about education, he’s also worked as a curriculum developer for EdX through MIT and Harvard, and as an adjunct professor of cyber science at the US Naval Academy.

Advice for taking a better security stance: Strong passwords Updating internet-connected devices, especially smart phones. Break it down to first principles: what is your goal and the completing a gap analysis Authorities, Resources, Knowledge, Skills We all have a responsibility in this way.

Free Resources K–12 Cybersecurity – Join the MS-ISAC Hometown Security Tools And Resources Cybersecurity Training & Exercises How to Delete Your Old Online Accounts (and Why You Should)

Buoyancy Digital is proud to be the inaugural Mission Partner for the Cybertraps Podcast series. A digital advertising consultancy with an ethos, Buoyancy was founded by Scott Rabinowitz, who has been in digital media since 1997 and has overseen $300 million in youth safety compliant ad buys across all digital platforms. For IAB, Google and Bing accredited brand and audience safe advertising sales solutions, media buying and organizational training for media publishers, let’s chat. For more information on working with Scott & Buoyancy Digital, visit BuoyancyDigital.com or @scottrmedia on LinkedIn.

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Research 2020–09–14 What Is Digital Hygiene? - https://www.seaglasstechnology.com/what-is-digital-hygiene/ 2020–04–01 Hackers Play Dirty, So Practice Good Digital Hygiene - https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2020/04/01/hackers-play-dirty-so-practice-good-digital-hygiene/ 2020–01–16 5 digital hygiene tips to start the new year fresh - https://www.cira.ca/blog/cybersecurity/5-digital-hygiene-tips

Show Notes What Is Digital Hygiene? “the practice of cleaning up your electronic/information assets and regularly updating them.” Cybersecurity Is the Responsibility of All of Us

Password Managers * Strong Passwords - A password is typically considered “strong” if it is long (at least 8 characters) and contains a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters * Avoid reusing passwords * Avoid using new passwords that are too similar to existing passwords * Password Managers * 1Password * Dashlane

Avoiding Malware (Viruses, Keyloggers, RATs, Ransomware) * Use antivirus and antimalware sofware * Built into both Windows 10 and Mac * Microsoft Defender Antivirus * macOS Security * Keep existing protective software up to date * Use firewalls * Use pop-up blockers (some browsers are better than others) * Minimize downloads and practice safe computing * Know where you are downloading from * Minimize or block automatic / unauthorized downloads * Keep Operating Systems Properly Updated * Practice Safe Surfing * Avoid using public/open wifi connections without protection * Do-it Yourself Online Safety Guide

Use a Virtual Private Network How They Work

Cisco: “A virtual private network, or VPN, is an encrypted connection over the Internet from a device to a network. The encrypted connection helps ensure that sensitive data is safely transmitted. It prevents unauthorized people from eavesdropping on the traffic and allows the user to conduct work remotely. ” Cisco
How to Choose
A Complete Guide To Choosing and Using a VPN
Great review of VPN services:

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Scott is an interactive media specialist who joined the digital marketplace in 1998; he provides advertising business development strategy and management support for entertainment, ecommerce, technology and digital media brands worldwide. Over the past 22+ years, his body of work has included managing more than $200 million in online advertising campaigns, as well as advisory and hands-on marketing, advertising, business and corporate development roles, for a mix of brands in many industries. Scott was among the first digital marketers to profitably source direct response traffic campaigns for pay wall enabled subscription content sites in multiple age restricted industries. Having unique experience in support of content delivery online via search engine marketing, Scott serves the civil litigation system as an subject matter witness on matters of search engine marketing & digital media compliance policy issues. Spanning his time working around the internet content and traffic management/advertising sales industries at large, Scott has also contributed commentary and articles to various interactive media and entertainment industry outlets, including BrandChannel, Marketing Sherpa’s ContentBiz, the New York Times Online and WebmasterRadio.fm. A passionate advocate for online child protection issues in the digital age, Scott served on the Advisory Council for ASACP, an internet entertainment industry organization solely focused on child protection best practices by entertainment, traffic and technology hubs online. * Questions and Themes * In this episode we discuss how advertising works and what people should know as they interact with advertising enabled platforms online. * Why should parents add ‘advertising recognition’ to the short list of what kids know when they go online? * Native advertising - * Are all online ad formats clearly marked to allow people to avoid the ad or not? * What are the most common ad formats and symbols which can help a child or an adult identify what is an ad and what is not? * In-app purchasing on mobile devices. Why is this an issue? * How much of our childrens’ data is being shared by social networks with advertisers? * Native advertising

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Show Outline * An introduction to web tracking technologies and their impact on personal privacy * Goals of web tracking * Improve web site performance * Conduct web site analytics * Develop information for business operations * Feed targeted advertising to visitors (which often supports free services) * Types of web tracking technologies * Statistical - browser used, geolocation, pages visited, operating system, device type, etc. Statcounter, Google Analytics, etc. * Cookies + Invented in 1994 by Lou Montulli + It is a small data file stored on your hard drive when you visit certain web sites (almost all of them) + Flavors of cookies + First-party cookies - created by a domain (web site) that you have visited - Session (‘temporary’) cookies - cookies designed to store information about a user’s web site visit while they are on the site; once the visit is over, the cookie is deleted - Permanent (‘persistent’) cookies - these remain even after a browser is closed. Typically used to store user ID and password for a particular site so that you don’t have to enter them each time + Second-party Cookies - in some limited instances, a domain will share its cookies with a trusted partner; for instance, an airline might share with a hotel chain, which would then send you ads for loding + Third-party Cookies - cookies created by a company or web domain other than the one you are visiting, typically by an advertisement of some kind. Web sites earn ad revenues by allowing the third-party ad network to use their site to place cookies. These are the cookies that can track your movement around the web, so they are responsible for the somewhat creepy appearance of ads for things you just looked at. * Pixels (aka ‘pixel tag’) + Tiny images (1 pixel) that are stored on a server but embedded + Criticized by privacy advocates because they can collect extensive information about the user/email recipient without their knowledge + They function even if the browser cache and cookies are regularly cleared * Fingerprinting (‘a data portrait’) + A system that identifies you by creating a profile based on largely unchanging information associated with your device + screen resolution + operating system and model + browser version + Once enough data is collected, a virtual ‘bar code’ can be compiled that uniquely identifies you + This process occurs when your browser interacts with a web site; no data is stored on your computer + As a result, it is very difficult to block * Breaking News * In February 2020, Google announced that its Chrome browser will no longer allow third-party cookies * This month, Google also announced that it will NOT be developing alternative technology to track individuals and it will not include such technology in its products * Security issues * Web sites cannot read cookies from other web sites * However, advertising networks that deploy third-party cookies can track a lot of your online activity (because the ad networks are so ubiquitous) * As our use of the internet expands, online tracking could reveal behavior that might be embarrassing or dangerous to the individual being tracked -* personal behaviors, lifestyle choices, political beliefs, activism, etc. * Steps you can take to limit web tracking * Minimize what you do online * Use a browser that blocks third-party cookies (Mozilla Firefox is particularly good) + Keep in mind that automatically blocking third-party cookies may cause some sites to pop up messages asking you to disable the adblocker. Others may simply not work at all. * Test what information your browser shares + Electronic Frontier Foundation “Cover Your Tracks” + https://coveryourtracks.eff.org/ * Make your browser and email settings as restrictive as possible, including requiring permission for downloads * Regularly clear your browser cache, your cookies, and your internet history (just Google it) * Browse anonymously + Avoid using log-in services + “Private” mode on mainstream browsers + Use a VPN that you actually pay for … + Use TOR to surf the Web

Research and more information: * Google won’t join efforts to build new online ad trackers - The Washington Post * A Brief Explanation of Cookies * Cookies, Tracking, and pixels: Where does your Web data come from? | by Julien Kervizic | Hacking Analytics | Medium * Cookies, Pixels, and Other Ways Advertisers are Tracking You Online | Webroot * Third-Party Tracking: Cookies, beacons, fingerprints and more - Our Data Our Selves * Behind the One-Way Mirror: A Deep Dive Into the Technology of Corporate Surveillance | Electronic Frontier Foundation * Google claims it will stop tracking individual users for ads | Ars Technica * Google says it won’t track you directly in the future as it phases out cookies * Google will stop selling ads based on tracked individual browsing history - CNET * Google says it won’t adopt new tracking tech after phasing out cookies | TechCrunch * Google to stop tracking users for targeted ads | TheHill * How Google’s snub of tracking will upend the industry | Ad Age * Daring Fireball: The EFF: ‘Google’s FLoC Is a Terrible Idea’ * First-Party & Third-Party Cookies: What’s the Difference? - Clearcode Blog * The Death of the Third-Party Cookie: What Marketers Need to Know About Google’s Looming Privacy Pivots * Internet Tracking Has Moved Beyond Cookies | FiveThirtyEight * What are Tracking Pixels and How Do They Work? * Website Tracking Technologies | Knowledge Base | CookiePro * ‘Fingerprinting’ to Track Us Online Is on the Rise. Here’s What to Do. - The New York Times * Google will end behavioral targeting, profile-building in its ad products

Mission Partners:

Buoyancy Digital is proud to be the inaugural Mission Partner for the Cybertraps Podcast series. A digital advertising consultancy with an ethos, Buoyancy was founded by Scott Rabinowitz, who has been in digital media since 1997 and has overseen $300 million in youth safety compliant ad buys across all digital platforms. For IAB, Google and Bing accredited brand and audience safe advertising sales solutions, media buying and organizational training for media publishers, let’s chat. For more information on working with Scott & Buoyancy Digital, visit BuoyancyDigital.com or @scottrmedia on LinkedIn.

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Tony Anscombe is the Global Security Evangelist for ESET. With over 20 years of security industry experience, Anscombe is an established Author, Blogger and Speaker on the current threat landscape, security technologies and products, data protection, privacy and trust, and Internet safety. His speaking portfolio includes industry conferences RSA, CTIA, MEF, Gartner Risk and Security, and the Child Internet Safety Summit (CIS). He is regularly quoted in security, technology and business media, including BBC, the Guardian, the New York Times, and USA Today, with broadcast appearances on Bloomberg, BBC, CTV, KRON and CBS.

Read the privacy policy, what they collect, what they share and, how long they retain it.
Tony Anscombe | One Parent to Another | Book Introduction – https://youtu.be/zH8FfbqOZs4
FTC – IdentityTheft.gov
11 year old blackmails his own father

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In this episode, Jethro and Fred discuss questions from YOU! To submit your questions, go to Cybertraps.com

Our questions today:

What are things that educators can do if students’ families have extreme beliefs?
Case law regarding educational forums, substantial disruptions, and first amendment rights are decades old. With the pivot to remote learning and the use of various learning management systems, what responsibility do schools have to monitor these educational forums outside traditional hours?
How can teachers deal with all the gray areas in privacy, especially in Alaska, where so many people live in small communities where everyone knows each other?
What are your thoughts on teachers using TikTok to show lessons/content?

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Joan Irvine has worked in technology, sales, and marketing for companies such as ADP (Automatic Data Processing), System Development Corporation, and Goal Systems. For the last 20 years, she has been a leader in online child protection technology.

In this episode we talk about how the cannabis industry can keep kids from purchasing their products by self-regulating.

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In this episode, Fred and Jethro discuss the issues around child access to adult content and products on the internet. Many links and examples at Cybertraps.com

Legal But Age-Restricted (in theory)
- Gambling
- Pornography
- Cigarettes
- Alcohol
- Prescription Drugs
- Weapons and Explosives
Illegal
- Obscenity / Child Pornography
- Controlled Substances as defined the Drug Enforcement Agency
- Schedule I – heroin, LSD, marijuana, ecstasy, peyote, etc.
- Schedule II – Vicodin, cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, oxycodone, fentanyl, Dexedrine, Adderall, and Ritalin
- Schedule III – Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, anabolic steroids, testosterone
- Impure or corrupted versions of known drugs
- A range of designer/synthetic, uncategorized drugs
Shift in Laws and Social Acceptance
- Alcohol – Prohibition
- Marijuana – Spreading legalization
Scope of the Problem
Examples
- 2020–12–23 One in six children steal money from their parents to pay for addictive computer game ‘loot boxes’, survey reveals – as campaigners call for them to be classed as gambling
- 2020–12–12 This 6-year-old racked up $16K on mom’s credit card playing video games
- 2020–12–04 Schoolgirl, 15, died at gathering with friends after taking ecstasy supplied by two teenagers who bought the tablets off the dark web, inquest hears
- 2020–11–08 One in 10 children admit gambling with their own money amid fears thousands of families are being plunged into ’tidal wave of misery’
- 2020–08–26 Gambling giants flout advertising rules to target children by using websites popular with youngsters
- 2020–08–18 Schoolboy, 15, AVOIDS jail after he sold three super-strong Donkey Kong ecstasy pills to a 13-year-old on Snapchat before he died hours later from ‘severe reaction’ to Class A drug
- 2020–01–03 Children are fueling marathon gaming sessions with ‘dangerous’ stimulants that have DOUBLE the caffeine of Red Bull and are promoted by YouTube stars like KSI and FaZe Jarvis
- 2018–05–14 Twitter and Instagram are accused of ‘playing with people’s lives’ for continuing to host pages advertising deadly counterfeit Xanax
- 2014–02–26 Buying a gun on Facebook takes 15 minutes
- Schoolgirl 15 died taking ecstasy supplied two teenagers bought dark web inquest hears
Exposure
- Peers
- Social Media Influencers
- Advertising
- In-Game Purchases
Facilitation
- Social media – algorithms, influencers, unmonitored groups
- Web sites – poorly designed and unethical
- Product-specific sites
- Private seller sites (eBay)
- Dark web – TOR
- Surface web – 4% of visible internet
- Deep web – non-indexed, non-accessible sites (government, corporate, etc.)
- Dark web – requires special browsers like TOR, I2P, or Freenet
- 2013 – DEA, Homeland Security, and FBI take down Silk Road, notorious dark web drug bazaar
- Encryption for communication (Sigaint, PGP)
- Delivery services – poor practices, disregard of regulations re signatures, etc.
- Parents – lack of supervision, access to credit cards/finances
- Payment methods
- Reloadable credit cards
- Cryptocurrency (BitCoin)
- Barter
Why Is Age Verification on the Internet So Difficult?
- 1984 New Yorker cartoon – On the internet, no one knows you’re a dog
- Buttons and verification screens are laughable
- Birth certificates are issued locally, not nationally
- Social security numbers are given to children
- Credit card companies don’t want the hassle
A Range of Child Protection Initiatives
- Governmental
- General
- More and more systems requiring real-time scan of driver’s license
- United Kingdom
- The Digital Economy Act – any website with more than one-third of pornographic content must securely verify that their visitors are 18 or over.
- United States
- 2021–01–29 – UPS ends home delivery of vaping products
- 2020 – The Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act
  - Same safety measures as those for traditional cigarettes and smokeless tobacco
  - Verify the age of customers for all purchases.
  - Require an adult with ID to be present for delivery.
  - Label shipping packages to show they contain tobacco products.
  - Comply with all state and local tobacco tax requirements.
- 1997 Child Online Protection Act – required all commercial distributors of material harmful to minors to restrict their sites from access by minors.
  - Ruled unconstitutional in 2007 by U.S. District Court. 3rd Cir. agreed in 2008, and SCOTUS denied cert in 2009.
Software and Services
- A wide variety of software companies are competing to create effective age verification systems
Labeling
- Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection
- Restricted to Adults label for web sites
- List of organization and software tools aimed at protecting children
- Guidelines for parents
  - Install and use parent control software on all computers
  - Know what sites your children frequent and monitor their online activity
  - Foster communication with your children so they understand the potential dangers they may be exposed to online.
What Can Parents Do?
- Monitor the Use of Devices
- Install Filtering Software and Use Parental Controls
- Check Browser History
- Lots of Conversation
- Be Confident in Discussing Online Activity with Your Child
- Pay Attention to Your Child’s Behavior
- Don’t Be Afraid to Discuss Influence of Friends
- Sign Up for Delivery Notification and Check All Packages / Consider Installing a Smart Doorbell
- Keep a Close Eye on Your Finances
Get Help
- American Addiction Centers
- Get Smart About Drugs (DEA)

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RODRIGUEZ, Raymond “RJ”, is a Licensing Specialist for the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB), and currently the lead for the HTSB work regarding the Model Code of Ethics for Educators. He was a classroom teacher for ten years in a variety of settings: elementary school, middle school, and high school (including charter school experience). He has also spent seven years working for a teacher union providing professional development for educators.

The Mirage LINK

From Quicksand to Solid Ground LINK

Guskey LINK

Guskey eval link

MCEE NASDTEC resources LINK

NEA Micro-credential LINK

HTSB Ed Ethics LINK

The Hawaii Teacher Standards Board would like to thank HSTA and NEA for their collaboration on professional development

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Troy Hutchings researches, writes, and speaks in the areas of professional ethics, educator misconduct, and frameworks for an ethical and legal teaching practice. He presents to various state and national policy and practitioner groups across the United States and Canada. Hutchings also provides expert witness testimony in judicial hearings; collaborates on policy initiatives with state, federal and provincial agencies; and has been the subject matter expert on a variety of national projects dealing with educator ethics including the Model Code of Ethics for Educators and the National Council for the Advancement of Educator Ethics.

In this episode we talk about how to implement the MCEE in your school or district, or even state.

Check out the MCEE here.

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Joshua Spodek, PhD, MBA is a three-time TEDx speaker, #1 bestselling author of Initiative and Leadership Step by Step, host of the award-winning This Sustainable Life podcast, and professor at NYU.

He holds a PhD in astrophysics and an MBA from Columbia, where he studied under a Nobel Laureate and helped launch a satellite (having emerged from some of Philadelphia’s most dangerous neighborhoods). He left academia to found a venture to market an invention that showed animated images to subway riders between stations.

This podcast features a discussion of addiction to technology and how that relates to the environment.

Initiative: A Proven Method to Bring Your Passions to Life (and Work)

Leadership Step by Step: Become the Person Others Follow

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In today's episode, we are going to talk about sexting and the law. We are going to look at the legal risks for children, educators, and parents, and what to do if you see something on kids' devices. Content warning, we are going to talk about sexting and child pornography.

Show Outline

In today's episode, we are going to talk about sexting and the law. We are going to look at the legal risks for children, educators, and parents, and what to do if you see something on kids' devices. Content warning, we are going to talk about sexting and child pornography.
Background
- Obscene Profits (2000)
  - https://link.cybertraps.com/OP_PB
- Computer Forensics
- The Decency Wars (2006) / The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
  - https://link.cybertraps.com/DW_HB
  - https://www.cc.com/video/6xa63e/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-frederick-lane
- Cybertraps for the Young (2011)
  - https://link.cybertraps.com/C4Y_PB
A Brief History of Relevant Technology
- Almost every technology has been used to take nude selfies
- Things didn't really take off until images could be created easily without third parties
  - Late 60s to early 1970s -- Instant cameras take off
  - Mid-1970s -- Video recorders
Federal and State Child Pornography Laws
- Federal Law
  - 18 U.S. Code CHAPTER 110— SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND OTHER ABUSE OF CHILDREN
    - Sexual exploitation of children (production) -- 15-30 years
    - Production, distribution, reception, and possession -- 5-20 years
    - Increased penalties for second offenses, severity of offense, etc.
  - Law prohibits depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. Mere nudity can constitute "sexually explicit conduct."
  - Interstate commerce is required for federal jurisdiction. This covers transport in U.S. Mail, private carriers like UPS or FedEx, and the Internet.
  - Even an image remains within one state, federal prosecutors may assert jurisdiction if the items used to produce or store the images themselves traveled in interstate commerce (i.e., a digital camera, smartphone, computer, CD-ROM, USB stick, etc.
- State Laws
  - Every state prohibits child pornography
  - Virtually all use language similar to the federal statutes, although there are some minor variations
"Romeo and Juliet" Statutes
- In general, there is no "selfie" exception to federal and state child pornography laws
- However, several states have adopted so-called "Romeo and Juliet" exceptions
Legal Risks for Children
- Prosecution for production, possession, or distribution of child pornography
- Prosecution under laws penalizing "revenge porn" or "electronic sexual assault"
- link.cybertraps.com/ESA
Legal Risks for School Administrators and Educators
- Handling of student sexts
  - Ting-Yi Oei: https://www.wired.com/2009/04/sexting-hysteri/
- Failure to report teen sexting
- Collecting student selfies
- Creation of nude selfies
Legal Risks and Obligations of Parents
- Children have no expectation of privacy with respect to devices which you have bought and for which you supply the data plan
- No parental exception to child pornography laws
  - Kellyanne and Claudia Conway
- If you see sexting images of your child
  - Frank conversation with your child
  - Potential consequences
  - Review family rules regarding dating, texting, and sexual behavior
- If you see sexting images of another child, do you have a duty to report?

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Awo Aidam Amenyah is Child Online Africa’s founder and Executive Director. Child Online Africa a child and family focused charity working in Ghana and beyond through strategic partnerships. In this role, Awo leads a team of professionals and volunteers committed to influencing policies and changing practices in favour of child well-being keeping the child in Africa safe while they are online. - Since 2013, Awo has been at the forefront of the call on government and other stakeholders to put in place measures safeguard children within the cyberspace and this call resulted in a revolution regarding Child Protection interventions in Ghana. The team's work influenced the National Cyber Security Policy and Strategy in Ghana in 2015 and the Africa Union’s Agenda 2040 in 2018 to prioritize Child Online Protection. - Prior to her current role, Awo has facilitated platforms for engagement between state and non-state actors to influence policy and development decisions specifically related to education, violence against girls, Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Child Online Protection, among others. Before her current position she worked with the Education Coalition on an ActionAid-Big Lottery Fund project. The key milestone for the project is the draft Ghana Gender Education Policy. - Awo is DQ World Training Partner, a member of the National Child Online Protection Steering Committee (Ghana) and Child Online Protection implementation partner for ITU, the International Telecommunication Union. She has been involved with the Recovery and Reintegration from CSE working group and National Association of Media Literacy Education. The passion to make things happen for the child in Africa compelled her to start the rallying call for Safer Internet Day celebrations in Ghana since 2015 evolving into Safer Internet Day Africa in 2019 which saw 12 other African countries participating. In her quest to sustain the continental level discussion and the anger of slow pace of action saw the saw her summiting successfully on Mt. Kilimanjaro (19341 Ft AMSL) in August as a social cause to raise awareness on Child Online Safety and Wellbeing in Africa

In this episode we talk with Awo about the challenges they face in rolling out internet access in Ghana, Africa.

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In this live conversation, we talked about the impact of the pandemic on society, teachers, parents, and students.

The Cybertraps Podcast: Recent Episodes

Frederick Lane & Jethro Jones

2022–09–27 Most Offensive Halloween Costumes This Year

2022–06–06 15 Offensive Halloween Costumes That Shouldn’t Exist

2021–11–18 The Parkdale Teacher Who Wore Blackface As A Halloween Costume Got Fired By The Toronto District School Board

2021–11–03 A White teacher is under investigation after showing up to school in blackface, the principal says

2021–11–01 Teacher Who Came to School in Blackface Forced to Wash to ‘Not Cause Further Harm’

2022–10–03 Halloween 2022

2021–10–29 It’s 2020. Offensive costumes have NO place in Halloween.

2020–08–19 Please Avoid These 15 Inappropriate Halloween Costumes

2019–03–20 Teacher wore an Obama mask, Trump hat to school and it didn’t go over well

2018–10–31 At this high school, staff and students take Halloween very seriously

2018–10–29 ‘My culture is not a costume’: Seattle school talks appropriate Halloween costumes

2018–10–26 Why has Halloween become so popular among adults?

2018–10–25 Iowa Elementary School Teacher Allegedly Wears Blackface to Halloween Party

2016–11–04 Seattle high school teacher suspended for controversial Halloween costume

2022–09–27 Most Offensive Halloween Costumes This Year

2022–06–06 15 Offensive Halloween Costumes That Shouldn’t Exist

2021–11–18 The Parkdale Teacher Who Wore Blackface As A Halloween Costume Got Fired By The Toronto District School Board

2021–11–03 A White teacher is under investigation after showing up to school in blackface, the principal says

2021–11–01 Teacher Who Came to School in Blackface Forced to Wash to ‘Not Cause Further Harm’

2022–10–03 Halloween 2022

2021–10–29 It’s 2020. Offensive costumes have NO place in Halloween.

2020–08–19 Please Avoid These 15 Inappropriate Halloween Costumes

2019–03–20 Teacher wore an Obama mask, Trump hat to school and it didn’t go over well

2018–10–31 At this high school, staff and students take Halloween very seriously

2018–10–29 ‘My culture is not a costume’: Seattle school talks appropriate Halloween costumes

2018–10–26 Why has Halloween become so popular among adults?

2018–10–25 Iowa Elementary School Teacher Allegedly Wears Blackface to Halloween Party

2016–11–04 Seattle high school teacher suspended for controversial Halloween costume

2022–09–30 Molly Russell: Harrow schoolgirl died as a result of ‘self harm’, inquest finds

2022–09–30 Molly Russell: how family are helping shift narrative on online safety

2022–09–30 Molly Russell died while suffering from effects of online content, coroner says

2022–09–30 ‘Molly turned to celebrities for help not knowing there was little chance of reply’: Coroner’s landmark ruling that social media posts glamourising suicide DID contribute to 14-year-old’s death from self-harm - as her father makes plea for change

2022–09–30 Damming verdict on social media: Coroner rules schoolgirl Molly Russell killed herself after viewing harmful posts

2022–09–30 Molly Russell inquest – coroner’s conclusion in full

2022–09–29 Almost half of children in England have seen harmful content online – survey

2022–09–29 Digital childhoods: a survey of children and parents

2022–09–27 Psychiatrist ‘did not sleep well’ after viewing content seen by Molly Russell

2022–09–23 Molly Russell inquest: Instagram clips seen by teen ‘most distressing’

2022–09–22 Molly Russell inquest: Pinterest executive admits site was not safe

2022–03–23 TechScape: Could this be the end of trolls and cyberflashers?

2022–03–16 Molly Russell inquest: family frustrated by wait for Instagram data

2021–12–06 Molly Russell coroner challenges social media firms to help make internet safer

2022–09–30 Molly Russell: Harrow schoolgirl died as a result of ‘self harm’, inquest finds

2022–09–30 Molly Russell: how family are helping shift narrative on online safety

2022–09–30 Molly Russell died while suffering from effects of online content, coroner says

2022–09–30 ‘Molly turned to celebrities for help not knowing there was little chance of reply’: Coroner’s landmark ruling that social media posts glamourising suicide DID contribute to 14-year-old’s death from self-harm - as her father makes plea for change

2022–09–30 Damming verdict on social media: Coroner rules schoolgirl Molly Russell killed herself after viewing harmful posts

2022–09–30 Molly Russell inquest – coroner’s conclusion in full

2022–09–29 Almost half of children in England have seen harmful content online – survey

2022–09–29 Digital childhoods: a survey of children and parents

2022–09–27 Psychiatrist ‘did not sleep well’ after viewing content seen by Molly Russell

2022–09–23 Molly Russell inquest: Instagram clips seen by teen ‘most distressing’

2022–09–22 Molly Russell inquest: Pinterest executive admits site was not safe

2022–03–23 TechScape: Could this be the end of trolls and cyberflashers?

2022–03–16 Molly Russell inquest: family frustrated by wait for Instagram data

2021–12–06 Molly Russell coroner challenges social media firms to help make internet safer

2022–09–23 Opinion: The metaverse could be transformative, but it’s a legal and ethical minefield

2022–09–12 Metaverse Beckons A New Avatar Of Education But Are We Ready? “https://www.outlookindia.com/business/metaverse-beckons-a-new-avatar-of-education-but-are-we-ready–news–222843”

2022–09–06 How artificial intelligence can be a force for good in schools

2022–06–01 The Metaverse Is Already Here, and K–12 Schools Are Using It for Education

2022–05–11 The Metaverse: 5 Things Educators Should Know

2022–04–25 What Is the Metaverse, Exactly?

2022–02–15 Why you can’t have legs in virtual reality (yet)

2021–11–29 Teaching in the ‘Metaverse’? Roblox Looks to Make It a Reality

2022–09–23 Opinion: The metaverse could be transformative, but it’s a legal and ethical minefield

2022–09–12 Metaverse Beckons A New Avatar Of Education But Are We Ready? “https://www.outlookindia.com/business/metaverse-beckons-a-new-avatar-of-education-but-are-we-ready–news–222843”

2022–09–06 How artificial intelligence can be a force for good in schools

2022–06–01 The Metaverse Is Already Here, and K–12 Schools Are Using It for Education

2022–05–11 The Metaverse: 5 Things Educators Should Know

2022–04–25 What Is the Metaverse, Exactly?

2022–02–15 Why you can’t have legs in virtual reality (yet)

2021–11–29 Teaching in the ‘Metaverse’? Roblox Looks to Make It a Reality

2022–09–01 How tech can help keep your kids safe at school

2022–09–01 An Apple Watch for Your 5-Year-Old? More Parents Say Yes.

2022–08–31 The Best Smartwatches For Kids (And Parents) To Stay Connected

2022–08–30 Smart watches in schools, do they make kids safer?

2022–08–23 Best Smartwatches for Kids

2022–08–06 The 6 Best Smartwatches For Kids To Help Keep Them Active, Connected, & Entertained