Archive for September, 2009
Mom Sues Kids for Attacking Son Online
Parents, Here’s another example why eliminating anonymity and holding members accountable for their actions is so important; another reason why parental consent should be required for kids and teens participating on social networking sites. As reported by the Chicago Tribune, Illinois mother Laura Cook is suing four children for defaming her son. Cook claims the [...]
Cyberbullying At Schools. Can Yoursphere Prevent Bullying?
An administrator from a school recently asked me: How can, or does Yoursphere protect kids and teens online from cyberbullying cases like the Megan Meir/Lori Drew case? (Lori Drew, parent, signed up as “fake” 16 year old boy, became Megan’s online boyfriend, then bullied and harassed Megan telling her “the world would be a better [...]
14 year-old Speaks Out about the Danger of Internet Creepers, Grateful for Moms
If you’ve ever second guessed your parental instinct to snoop in your kids’ Internet conversations or text messages, and felt you should “trust your kids more,” consider the good fortune of Amy, a 14-year-old from the UK, who is very thankful for her “nosy mum.” As reported by the Dorset Echo, 20-year-old Oliver Randall first [...]
Kids Labeled as Sex Offenders
I recently read this article in the Houston Chronicle: Kids as young as age 10 can be registered as sex offenders, a label lasting a decade. The article tells the story of a mother, Samantha Potwood, who has spent 12 years coping, and helping her son cope, with being labeled a sex offender. Her son [...]
What is Sexting? It’s a Wake Up Call That Says Parents Need To Get Involved
In text speak GIN = Get Involved Now WUP = Wake Up Parents Please….. I don’t write for a research firm or study youth social behavior as a scientist for a living. I write and share from the concerned parent perspective. I’ve written on the topic of sexting before. Judging from what seems to be [...]
Michigan MOTHER Charged With Sexually Assaulting Her Long-Lost Son
Yes. You read that correctly. We’re used to hearing about sexual-predator busts, but rarely are the perpetrators female, let alone mothers preying on their own children. This news is repugnant; an abomination. As reported by The Oakland Press, 35-year-old Aimee Louise Sword is accused of using the Internet to track down the teenage son she [...]
Wrapping Up The First Big Cyberbullying Case
I’m sure many of you have followed the tragic story of Megan Meier, which brought national attention to the then mostly unknown crime of cyberbullying. Lori Drew, the 50 year old mother of one of Megan’s former friends created a fake MySpace profile in order to harass Megan for spreading gossip about her daughter. Drew [...]
Yikes! A Friend Request from Mom!?
It used to be that joining Facebook required a college email address. Then Facebook began allowing high school students to become members, which is interesting when they recently reported that their mission is to be a safe place for corporate advertisers and “upscale professionals” as I previously commented on. ( See July 14th post.) Nonetheless, everyone [...]
Sexting in the News
Institutions such as schools and local and state governments are beginning to tune in to the threat that sexting poses to America’s youth. As reported by Switched.com, one Vermont teenager will serve 90 days of a two year prison sentence for committing a prohibited act for lewd and lascivious conduct. The 18 year-old, who told [...]
Mary Kay is a nationally-recognized Internet safety expert and the founder of 
