Sutton Junior High Presentation

Appropriate pp p Use of Social Media and Cell Phones

Karen Haase Harding & Shultz ((402)) 434-3000 khaase@hslegalfirm.com

Raise yyour hand if … You have a cell phone You use text messaging You’ve taken photos with a cell phone camera You’ve ever forwarded a message You Y h have a F Facebook, b k M MySpace S or Twitter account

What’s Wrong with Cell Phones?  Nothing! Cell phones are useful tools when used appropriately and with ggood jjudgment g

What’s Wrong with Facebook?  Again, Again nothing! Facebook is just like a cell phone – you have to use good j g judgment.

So how do kids get in trouble with i technology??  Cyberbullying  Sexting  Ignoring I t Internet t Safetyy

Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying, v: the use of technology such as computers and cell phones to engage in repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others.

Cyberbullying y y g Example of cyberbullying b b ll i on iChat (Apple’s instant messaging) i )

Divagirl: Hey, loser, watch your back. t t323 What tmt323: Wh t r u talking about?

Divagirl: Why don't you kill yourself while u r ahead? tmt323: Why can't you just leave me alone?

Divagirl: Ugly girls like u need to be put in their place.

How Common is Cyberbullying? ďƒ˜ one in four students between the g of 11 and 19 have been the ages victim of cyberbullying. ďƒ˜ Approximately A i t l 65 percentt off kids kid know of someone who has been cyberbullied.

So what’s what s the big deal?

School-Related Consequences  Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-2,137  Definition: “ongoing ongoing pattern of physical, verbal or electronic abuse”  Consequences: ─ Loss of extracurricular privileges ─ Detentions D t ti ─Short and Long Term Suspension ─Expulsion E li ─Alternative School Assignment

Examples p  Seattle, WA.: Students who “liked” Facebook page bullying a classmate p all suspended  Memphis TN: Honors student suspended for 180 days for commenting on a friend’s status

Finkel v. Facebook (N.Y.)  High school students created private Facebook page about classmate • Called her a “slut” slut • Said she had AIDs • Said S id she h used dd drugs

 She sued Facebook and kids who created page  Facebook F b k di dismissed i d ffrom llawsuit; it students initially left in the case

Sexting

Sexting?

Sexting, v: (a combination of sex and texting) is the act of sending sexually ll explicit li it messages or photos electronically, p y p primarily y between cell phones.

How Common is Sexting? g  Sexually suggestive photos sent: – 20% overall –22% girls –11% 11% young teen girls (ages 13 13-16) 16) –18 % boys

How Common is Sexting? g Sexually suggestive messages sent: –39% of all teens –37% girls –40% 40% boys 48% of teens say they have received sexting ti photos h t or messages.

Serious Consequences: Jessica Logan

Criminal Implications Under Nebraska Law  Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-813 et. Seq.  Makes sexting (images) a class IV felony for offenders under 19  Class IIIA felony for 19 and up  Both punishable by: • Up to 5 years in prison and/or • $10,000 fine q sex offender registration g • Require

Internet Safety

Wisconsin v. Stancl  High school student posed as a girl, tricked male classmates into sending p nude photos  Then blackmailed boys who sent the pictures  Thirty-one y victims

So What DOES Belong on Y Your Ph Phone or P Profile/Page? fil /P ?

Just ask your Grandma

The Grandma Rule:  If you wouldn’t’ ld ’t’ show h it tto your Grandma, don’t photograph it!  If you wouldn’t write it to your Grandma,, don’t text it!  If you wouldn’t tell you Grandma about it, don don’tt post it!  If you wouldn’t say it to your Grandma don’t say it during a Grandma, cell phone call!

Questions? (402) 499-0547 499 0547