I’d like to share some resources from a new partner of ours, the Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe). iKeepSafe is a large organization of diverse industry leaders working together to promote healthy and safe online behavior. Along with the American School Counselor Association and their sponsors, iKeepSafe has recently created a new project that’s specifically designed to help students and educators understand the importance of internet safety – an issue that couldn’t be more related to our work with students and educators through BullyBust and the Partner Schools Program.
The program is Project PRO (Privacy & Reputation Online), and it's essentially a website, filled with lots of of resources for educators, students and parents. While all of these resources can be used as a defense and attack against cyberbullying, they can also be used to create a baseline understanding of how online behavior can truly impact one’s real life (and future).
This Digital Reputation video sums it up well. It shares the stories of two teens whose everyday internet use made big differences in their lives. In the first video, a high school student loses a scholarship based on his careless behavior. In the second video, another high school student shares how he used the internet to blog in a pro-social manner, and as a result he gained full college funding and connection to industry leaders. It’s an important video for students to see.
The assumption is that most kids know more about the internet than adults do. However, kids don’t always understand how their online behavior can actually affect their relationships and opportunities offline. They also don’t always know about online safety. In fact, the statistic shows that 70% of kids who are bullied online do not tell a trusted adult (teacher, parent, friend) about it. And, when kids do report it, the trusted adults don’t always know what to do either.
If you're at the computer next Tuesday at 2pm EST, tune in to Ed Week's webinar about the rising tide of high school dropouts. You'll hear from teachers, principals, superintendents and school board members and have an opportunity to share your thoughts about all the stats, controversy and steps for change.
The Nation’s Dropout Crisis: The Educators’ Perspectives
When: Tuesday, July 7, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern time
Click here to register
On a related note, if you'll be in New York next week, we'd love to see you at our annual Summer Institute at Fordham University. There's still some space left, so click the link below to learn more and register for the 3-day event of workshops, expert keynotes and networking sessions: