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Internet Safety Programs That Work

Explore the findings from ongoing tracking surveys and research studies on internet safety programs that work. Discover the decline in sexual solicitation and unwanted porn exposure, as well as the increase in harassment rates. Learn about the features of successful education, the lack of clear messages in current internet safety programs, and the implications for incorporating internet safety into broader educational programs.

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Internet Safety Programs That Work

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  1. Internet Safety Programs That Work David Finkelhor & Lisa Jones Crimes against Children Research Center University of New Hampshire FOSI Conference Washington, DC 9 November 2011

  2. 2 Ongoing Tracking Surveys • National Juvenile Online Victimization Study (NJOVS) Survey of law enforcement • Youth Internet Safety Survey (YISS) Survey of youth 10-17

  3. NJOVS: Trends in Arrests

  4. YISS: Trends in Internet Risk Experiences

  5. Good News • Decline of sexual solicitation and unwanted porn exposure • Small increase in harassment • Harassment rates much lower than face-to-face bullying estimates • Evidence that rates can shift considerably in short time frame

  6. Sexual solicitation and porn exposure decline • Prevention education? • News coverage of aggressive law enforcement activity • Better filtering software

  7. PA Sub 1990-2005* FBI Forcible Rape Rate & NCANDS Sexual Abuse Rate1990-2009 Forcible Rape 33% Decline1992 - 2009 59% Decline1990 - 2008 Sexual Abuse *Source: FBI, Crime in the United States Reports and NCANDS

  8. Warnings from Prevention Science • First generation programs often fail • Popular approaches (scare, movies) don’t work • Prevention works best with simple clearcut messages Evaluation is crucial

  9. Prevention Safety Education Successes • Wear a bicycle helmet • Don’t use illegal drugs • Put on your seat belt • Don’t smoke cigarettes • Eat fruits and vegetables • Use a condom

  10. Features of Successful Education • Specific and concrete • Widespread consensus • Not age related • Clear connection to harm Internet safety education and messages LACK these attributes.

  11. Internet Safety • Don’t talk to strangers online • Who is a stranger? • Are there situations where a youth would have a good and positive reason to talk to stranger • Do adults talk to strangers

  12. Internet Safety • Don’t go to pornography sites • Is this a danger or a moral issue • Do we know what the harm is • Is this applicable to all age children

  13. Internet Safety • Don’t give out personal information • What is personal information • Are there situations where a youth would have a good and positive reason to talk to give out personal information • Do adults give out personal information

  14. Internet Safety • Don’t send out sexual image • What is a sexual image • Is there consensus that this is bad or harmful • Are there situations where a youth would have a positive reason to share a sexual image • Do we tell adults not to do this

  15. Internet Safety • Don’t harass or be mean to other people online • What is harassment or meanness

  16. Internet Safety • Boils down to • Make responsible sexual choices • Golden rule • Avoid criminals These are complex problems that we have had questionable success in teaching efficiently and consistently

  17. Implications • Incorporate Internet safety into broader educational programs on personal safety, sexual education and decision-making • Do not disseminate Internet safety education without evaluation • Research focus on generic skills that improve online health and safety

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