Social Networking, Internet Safety and Cyberbullying, An Update For Educators

Format

Individual Presentation

Presenters

Melissa J. Straub, High Impact Youth Training SolutionsFollow

First Presenter's Institution

High Impact Youth Training Solutions LLC

Second Presenter's Institution

none

Third Presenter's Institution

none

Fourth Presenter's Institution

none

Fifth Presenter's Institution

none

Location

Session 8 (Verelst)

Strand #1

Safety & Violence Prevention

Strand #2

Social & Emotional Skills

Relevance

In today’s technological age, school faculty faces a daunting task of teaching and mentoring children free of constant negative influence. Access to undesirable people and information is prevalent and extremely difficult to monitor. This is exacerbated by the fact that most kids are more proficient and comfortable with technology than adults. Consequently, faculty members need to educate themselves on the danger today’s children face from this constantly connected online and aid youth at risk against harmful exposure. In addition, teaching the value of social emotional skills enabling youth to combat hate online and cyberbullying

world.

Brief Program Description

In today’s technological age, school faculty faces a daunting task of teaching and mentoring children free of constant

negative influence. Access to undesirable people and information is prevalent and extremely difficult to monitor. This is

exacerbated by the fact that most kids are more proficient and comfortable with technology than adults. Consequently,

faculty members need to educate themselves on the danger today’s children face from this constantly connected online

world.

Summary

This workshop offers and invaluable opportunity for schools staff and parents to learn approaches and techniques to facilitate conversations with our youth to keep them safe. How to address these issues within the classrooms and at home will be discussed.

In this workshop, attendees will be provided with essential information on the digital world and be exposed to solutions, both technological and psychological to assist with the challenges school officials and parents face with youth. Furthermore, attendees will be educated on how to protect and communicate with the students regarding the dark side of the internet.

• Review of Kids Current Issues, Sites and Apps

• Teens and Social Media/ Technology/Consequences

• Connectivity & Devices

• Social Media, Drugs and Alcohol

• Structure of Technology – What Makes It Dangerous

• Accidental Exposure & Pornography

• School Responsibility/Counselors

• Access to Pornography – Intentional and Unintentional

• Online Aggression (Cyber Bullying)

• Dangers of Posting Personal Data and Online Stalking

• Online Addictions

• Sexting (Self-Produced Promiscuous Photos) - Response Plan presented

• Psychological Fallout From Inappropriate Usage and Exposure and its Effect on Student Behavior

After being made aware of the dangers, faculty and staff will learn the following tools:

• Techniques for Communicating With Children About Technology Dangers

• Dealing With Psychological Repercussions of Exposure and Constant Connectedness

• Web sites recommended for support and education for parents and school staff

• Social media/Cyber bullying Investigation tips for educator recognition and response

• What To Do If You Have an Incident – School Response

• Available Technology to assist with monitoring for parents

Evidence

Research has shown that youth at risk will benefit from both educator and parent knowledge and training relevant to cyber bullying and social media awareness

Objectives: Participants will gain knowledge and skills in:

• Understanding Social Media apps and sites that are solicitous to children

• Leaning methods on how to recognize and communicate with children around usage

• Learning methods schools can use to investigate such issues around cyberbullying and social media

Biographical Sketch

Melissa J. Straub Biography Melissa Straub is a Private Investigator, social justice advocate, and a licensed Private Detective in the State of New Jersey. She is a former police detective with specialized training as a school resource officer and has more than 20 years of experience in the field of child advocacy, sex crimes, cybercrime, white collar crime, and fraud issues. She has testified as an expert witness on social media investigations in New Jersey.

In January 2010, Melissa was determined to apply her passion and commitment to helping parents, educators and organizations decipher the unknowns of cyber-bulling and founded Without a Trace Investigations, LLC. Serving as the Director of Investigations, this private investigative consulting firm focuses on cybercrime and related investigations, concentrating on cyber-bullying, sexting, and internet safety awareness and training.

Demand for Melissa’s deep knowledge of internet safety and cyber-bullying continued to build and, in January 2013, she founded High Impact Youth Training Solutions, LLC. High Impact is a specialized consulting company that provides educational training and guidance on problems that affect youth, schools, and communities. By collaborating with students, their parents, and educators, High Impact provides firsthand knowledge to everyone who is impacted by these serious issues.

Recently in October, 2018, Melissa joined Cyberology Consultants, LLC a private consulting firm that conducts comprehensive IT Penetration Testing / IT Security assessments. She serves as the Director of Marketing and Security Analyst. Our mission at Cyberology Consultants is to provide comprehensive, high quality and efficient penetration testing and IT security auditing services for businesses of all sizes.

In 2016, Melissa was added to the national team of Stop it Technology Solutions, an award-winning technology company that mitigates and controls inappropriate on-line conduct. Melissa serves as a Cyber Security Expert, offering ongoing support to schools, corporations and businesses throughout the country.

Recently, August 2019, Melissa was trained and awarded the New Jersey State School Safety Specialist (SSS) Certification provided by the NJ State Police, NJ Homeland Security Associations and the New Jersey Department of Education.

Melissa is an active member of several organizations including the New Jersey Licensed Private Investigators Association (NJLPIA), the National Association of Investigative Specialists (NAIS), the American Counseling Association (ACA), American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS), the American School Counseling Association (ASCA), the New Jersey School Counseling Association (NJSCA), among others, and hasbeen honored for her work by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and many school principals and guidance professionals.

Melissa holds a B.A. in Political Science/Pre Law, a Master’s Degree in Counseling, as well as certifications as a State School Counselor in New Jersey and New York.

Keyword Descriptors

social media, cyber bullying, internet safety, parent, sexting, content, conseqences

Presentation Year

March 2020

Start Date

3-11-2020 9:45 AM

End Date

3-11-2020 11:00 AM

Recommended Citation

Straub, Melissa J., "Social Networking, Internet Safety and Cyberbullying, An Update For Educators" (2020). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 98.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2020/2020/98