2010-10-29 can you see me now?
TRANSCRIPT
Can You See Me Now?
Frederick S. Lane
VT School Boards Association Fall Conference29 October 2010
The Growing Problem of SextingAmong School-Age Children
www.FrederickLane.com
Seminar Overview
• Introduction
• A Culture of Exhibitionism
• Kids: Born Button Pushers
• Old Behaviors, Global Distribution
• Warning Signs
• Emotional and Social Consequences
• Legal Consequences
• Prevention: Policies, Education, Advocacy
www.FrederickLane.com
Introduction• Attorney, Educational
Consultant & Lecturer
• Author of 5 Books
• Computer Forensics Expert
www.FrederickLane.com
Introduction• Attorney, Educational
Consultant & Lecturer
• Author of 5 Books
• Computer Forensics Expert
• Chair, Burlington (VT) School Board
www.FrederickLane.com
• Attorney, Educational Consultant & Lecturer
• Author of 5 Books
• Computer Forensics Expert
• Chair, Burlington (VT) School Board
• Student Safety & Privacy Advocate
www.FrederickLane.com
Introduction
And Let’s Not Forget …
• Paris Hilton
• Tiger Woods
• Senator John Ensign
• Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick (Detroit)
• Demi Moore & Aston Kutcher (endlessly)
• Lindsay Lohan
• Rihanna
• Brett Favre
www.FrederickLane.com
Old Behaviors …
• Taunting and Harrassing
• Bullying
• Playing Doctor
• “You Show Me Yours, I’ll Show You Mine”
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Global Distribution
• Taunting and Harrassing
• Bullying
• Web MD
• “You Show Me Yours, I’ll Show Everyone”
www.FrederickLane.com
Generation SextSexting
• “The act of sending sexually explicit photos, images, or messages electronically, primarily by cell phone or the Internet”
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How Big a Problem?
• Estimates Vary, from 4% to 30%
• Avg. Age of 1st Sext (Sent): 12
• Avg. Age of 1st Sext (Rec’d): 10
• Incidence Rises with Age
• No Gender Differences
• Significant Underreporting?
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Why Do Kids Sext?
www.FrederickLane.com
• Television & Movies
• The Internet
• Porn Chic
• Celebrity Sexting
• Hormones
• Peer Pressure
• Solicit Relationship
• As Part of a Relationship
• Boasting
• Revenge
• Sextortion
When Sharing Circles Go Bad
World Wide Web
Email / MMS / Social Networking
Camera phone
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Endless Distribution Options
Facebook YouTube Flickr
MySpace MetaCafe MobileMe
MyYearbook Zude Hi5
Vimeo Bebo Friendster
Orkut PerfSpot Yahoo
Tagged Vox Xanga
Virb MocoSpace Stickam
Twitter Netlog (mostly Europe) Buzznet
TagWorld HoverSpot GaiaOnline
Prevention and Education
• Clear School District Policies
– Acceptable Use Policies
– Anti-Harassment and Anti-Cyberbullying
• Student & Parent Education
– Personal Privacy Curriculum
• Staff Training
• Law Enforcement & Legislative Outreach
www.FrederickLane.com
Detection and Response
• Be Aware of What’s Going on in Schools
• Notify Parents
• Interview Faculty, Staff & Students
• Isolate & Lock Down Evidence
• Get Legal / Law Enforcement Help ASAP
• Follow Established Disciplinary Procedures
• Use as a Teachable Moment
www.FrederickLane.com
Emotional & Social Consequences
• Short Term:
– Embarrassment
– Bullying, Harassment, & Ostracization
– Sexual Blackmail
• Long Term:
– Depression & Mental Illness
– Loss of Scholarships, Admissions, Jobs
– Self-Injury & Suicide
www.FrederickLane.com
Jesse Logan• 18 year old high school
senior in Ohio• Sent nude photos of
herself to her boyfriend• When they broke up, he
forwarded them to hundreds of students
• Logan was harassed, taunted, and even physically assaulted because of the photographs
• In July 2008, Logan committed suicide
www.FrederickLane.com
Student Legal Consequences
• School Sanctions:– Violation of various school policies
– Removal from extra-curriculars or school
• Civil Liability:– Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
– Invasion of privacy (depending on state)
• Criminal Prosecution:– Federal child pornography statutes (< 18)
– State child pornography statutes (varies)
www.FrederickLane.com
District Legal Consequences
• Disruption of Educational Activities:
– Possible investigation / seizure of network
• Criminal Liability for Employees:
– Relationship-Based Crimes
– Possession / Distribution of Child Pornography
• Civil Lawsuits
– Failure to provide/maintain a safe environment
– State child pornography statutes (varies)
www.FrederickLane.com
Changing Legal Landscape
• Vermont, 2009– Gives prosecutors discretion in handling sexting
cases involving 13-17 year olds
• North Carolina, 2009– Adopts law making cyberbullying a misdemeanor
• A Few Other States Considering Similar Measures
• Miller v. Mitchell (3rd Cir. Mar. 17, 2010)– Tunkhannock, PA sexting case
• Massachusetts, 2010– “An Act Relative to Bullying in Schools”– Response to the suicides of two Mass. students
www.FrederickLane.com
Additional Resources
• CommonSenseMedia.org
• WiredSafety.org
• FBI “A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety” --http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm
• iKeepSafe.org
• iSafe.org
www.FrederickLane.com
Services & Contact Info
• Services
– Professional Development
– Parent Information Nights
– Student Assemblies
• Contact Information
– FSLane3 @gmail.com
– 802-318-4604www.FrederickLane.com