Cybertraps Podcast

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Screen Time in the Summer Cybertraps 126 May 17, 2022

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/” -...

EdTech Data Breaches: What You Need to Know Cybertraps 125 May 10, 2022

Show notes

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 breac...

Should You Use Tech to Track Your Child's Movements? Cybertraps 124 May 04, 2022

Show notes

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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The Metaverse: Virtual World, Real Dangers Cybertraps 123 Apr 28, 2022

Show notes

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 <...

Can We Stop Cyberbullying and Electronic Harassment? Cybertraps 122 Apr 20, 2022

Show notes

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/](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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How the Chicopee Superintendent Got Burned Cybertraps 121 Apr 13, 2022

Show notes

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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April 2022 is National Child Abuse Prevention Month CYbertraps 120 Apr 04, 2022

Show notes

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. Depart...

Ransomware in Schools Cybertraps 119 Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

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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The Pandemic, Technology, and the Mental Well-Being of Children Cybertraps 118 Mar 21, 2022

Show notes

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...

How to Be A Transformative Principal Cybertraps Live 117 Mar 14, 2022

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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