photo credit: Is Your Teen Sexting?

Is your teen sexting? Sexting is the practice of sending naughty pictures via text message or email. There is apparently an epidemic of sexting going on with teens today. (And for those who feel like they are still teens… LOL) But all kidding aside, it is a major problem among teens today. Many teens today have their own cell phones, and it is considered a violation of their privacy to monitor their texting and calls. (When I was young it was like having your mother read your diary…) And while you may not want to step on your teen’s privacy issues, did you know that in some states the parents can be punished for the sexting that their teen does?

Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Cyberbullying

Is technology responsible for cyberbullying? Does cyberbullying even exist? Yes, unfortunately, cyberbullying is a real phenomenon. Cyberbullying is the new term for online bullying, i.e. writing nasty comments about someone on the various social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. It has received a lot of press lately with some high profile teen suicides being blamed on cyberbullying. But the issue of whether or not technology is responsible is murky. The problem doesn’t lie with technology but instead with the cruelty of people using online methods of taunting and harassing others.

Does Cyberbullying Exist?

Is it illegal to taunt someone online? Different states have different laws or regulations about cyberbullying. Massachusetts passed legislation in May and 44 other states have some sort of legislation pending, even if only to discourage bullying at school. There is concern among lawmakers that even if passed, there will be legal challenges concerning the right to free speech.

High profile teen suicides have made big splashes in the media. Tyler Clementi, a student at Rutgers University, committed suicide when his roommate posted some very personal info on the web about Tyler. The two fellow students involved have been charged with invasion of privacy that could result in 5 years in prison. Megan Meier, a 13 year who committed suicide, was taunted by an adult neighbor, Lori Drew, who posed as a teenage boy on MySpace. Ms. Drew was convicted, but the conviction was overthrown because the laws are so vague.

Many teens live in a naïve world. They don’t realize that what may have started out as a joke or a flirt could end up hurting their entrance into some colleges or even their careers later on down the line. Imagine how surprised and hurt that teen will be when the photo they sent over their phone to their current sweetheart ends up on the web after a breakup. James Lipton, Inside the Actor’s Studio on HBO, has been instrumental in a campaign about sexting, a term coined from sex and texting. See my blog, Sexting: Give It a Ponder before you text.

What is the solution? Do you think we need laws with stiff penalties to stop this new trend of cyberbullying? Is public awareness through the press, as well as campaigns at schools against bullying the answer? Clearly something needs to happen to protect the young people. Will it take more teen suicides to make this a top priority with lawmakers? But will the laws even be effective? What’s your take? Give us a shout about your feelings.

photo credit: Spyware for Cell Phones

Want to install spyware on your spouse’s cell phone? According to HackerforhireUSA.com, the practice of  installing spyware on a spouse’s cell phone or computer is increasing. So much for trusting your spouse. Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying and “sexting” are becoming more common. As the average age of cell phone users drops down closer to grade school level, the schools are trying to take action. (See my blog Cyberbullying is a growing concern.) But just how far should the schools be able to go in their quest to protect students? Is searching cell phones a viable option? Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Stalker Note

The new Android app, Recognizr, would allow you to use your cell phone camera to snoop out someone’s identity. You could take a photo of someone’s face, and then know that person’s name, schedule, profile, and latest tweets. Created by the Swedish development company, The Astonishing Tribe, the new app in development would bring a whole new level to the lack of privacy. It uses a 3D modeling and facial recognition software. James Bond has come to the real world. Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Cyberbullying is everywhere!

Cyberbullying, just another part of the dangers of the Internet, right? With the growing use of social media, text messaging, sexting, video and photo sharing, Cyberbullying is growing proportionally. Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Bully Free Zone

An Irish firm has released new software, Bully Stop, allowing parents to monitor and block text messaging and both identified and unidentified callers on their children’s phones. The idea behind the software is to stop text bullying and abusive calls which both fall under the guise of cell bullying. Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Give It a Ponder

LG is sponsoring PSA ads on YouTube to influence teens who are sexting. The theme of these ads is to “Stop and Think” before sending that sexting. The ads also concentrate their efforts on mean rumor texting. (See the ads at Give It a Ponder.)

Read the rest of this entry »

What is SEXTING? It is a coined word for sending text messages with sexual content, be it text or images, that will soon be showing up in the dictionary. Sexting is a sign of the technology affecting our society, for good or bad. Without being judgmental, technology affects all of our daily lives. Sexting is just one more example of how technology permeates our awareness.

photo credit: Safe Sexting

Read the rest of this entry »