“A Successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him” - David Brinkley
For those that know me, know that I have been the target of the most vicious and malicious attacks in Cyberspace. Fortunately I was able to fight back and won an unprecedented jury verdict for damages of over $11.M. $5M of it was set for punitive - meant to punish the defendant.
I am contacted on a daily basis from other victims of Internet Harassment and most people are unable to retain an attorney. It can be very difficult when it seems like the entire world is staring at you through their computer screens.
The quote above was sent to me today and I just felt I had to share with everyone. So when those bricks are being thrown at you through cyberspace - think about the great foundation you can build from it!
www.suescheff.com
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www.helpyourteens.com
www.suescheffpodcasts.com
Showing posts with label Internet Abuse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Internet Abuse. Show all posts
Friday, May 23, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sue Scheff: Teen Internet Addiction
More and more we are getting calls that today's kids seem to be addicted to their screens - whether it is texting, IM'g or just late night Cyber-Chats, parents need to educate themselves on the where their kids are surfing online.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Sue Scheff: Internet Safety - The Internet Generation
Today’s kids have grown up online. Finding their way around the Internet and posting on social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook is part of their every day life. But in this online world … What are they saying? Who are they “talking” to?
How can we keep our kids safe from danger – both emotional and physical?Did you know that 70 percent of teens on the Internet have accidentally found pornography on the web; 60 percent have been contacted online by a stranger; another 60 percent have been victims of online bullying; and 45 percent have posted personal information?
The Internet Generation tells of online experiences and stories your kids may not be telling you about this 24/7 cyber- world. You’ll hear insights on setting specific rules, keeping track of kids’ online visits, and talking with them – armed with hard facts and real-life examples – about the very real threats out there.
When it comes to Internet know-how, can parents ever catch up with their kids? Yes. Watch The Internet Generation and start the conversation with your children about what’s on the Internet – the good and the bad. The Internet is here to stay, and it’s our responsibility to keep kids safe, especially when they’re online.
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Connect with Kids constantly keeps parents updated on today’s kids and issues surrounding them. Today’s techy generation need even stronger parenting.
Reputation Defender MyChild is a great place for parents to start in keeping their child’s privacy “private!”
Monday, February 18, 2008
Sue Scheff: Wrapped in the Web - Teen Internet Addiction
In today’s society, the Internet has made its way into almost every American home. It is a well-known fact that the web is a valuable asset for research and learning. Unfortunately, it can also be a very dangerous place for teens. With social networking sites like Myspace and Friendster, chat rooms, instant messaging, and online role-playing video games, our children are at access to almost anyone. Sue Scheff, along with Parent’s Universal Resource Experts™, is tackling the dangers of the web.
Keeping tabs on our teens’ online habits doesn’t just keep them safe from online predators. More and more parents are becoming wary of the excessive hours their teens spend surfing the web, withdrawing from family, friends and activities they used to enjoy. Internet Addiction is a devastating problem facing far too many teens and their families. While medical professionals have done limited research on the topic, more and more are recognizing this destructive behavior and even more, the potential mental effects it can have.
Though the web is a great place for learning and can be safe for keeping in touch, it is important that families understand the potential risks and dangers to find a healthy balance between real and virtual life.
Learn more about Teen Internet Addiction.
Do you have a struggling teen? At risk teens? Defiant Teen? Teen Depression? Problem Teen? Difficult Teen? Teen Rage? Teen Anger? Teen Drug Use? Teen Gangs? Teen Runaways? Bipolar? ADD/ADHD? Disrespectful Teen? Out of Control Teen? Peer Pressure?
Find about more about Boarding Schools, Military Schools, Christian Boarding Schools, Residential Treatment Centers, and Therapeutic Boarding Schools.
Keeping tabs on our teens’ online habits doesn’t just keep them safe from online predators. More and more parents are becoming wary of the excessive hours their teens spend surfing the web, withdrawing from family, friends and activities they used to enjoy. Internet Addiction is a devastating problem facing far too many teens and their families. While medical professionals have done limited research on the topic, more and more are recognizing this destructive behavior and even more, the potential mental effects it can have.
Though the web is a great place for learning and can be safe for keeping in touch, it is important that families understand the potential risks and dangers to find a healthy balance between real and virtual life.
Learn more about Teen Internet Addiction.
Do you have a struggling teen? At risk teens? Defiant Teen? Teen Depression? Problem Teen? Difficult Teen? Teen Rage? Teen Anger? Teen Drug Use? Teen Gangs? Teen Runaways? Bipolar? ADD/ADHD? Disrespectful Teen? Out of Control Teen? Peer Pressure?
Find about more about Boarding Schools, Military Schools, Christian Boarding Schools, Residential Treatment Centers, and Therapeutic Boarding Schools.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Parents Learn About Online Safety
By: TAMMIE SLOUP www.mywebtimes.com
Parents, get with the times.
That was Sarah Migas' opening message during a presentation about online safety Thursday night at Ottawa Township High School.
Social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook and Internet chat rooms and instant messaging are becoming increasingly popular means for children and teenagers to socialize. While they have their positives, digital technology also can be dangerous.
"Kids are seeing the Internet as the wild wild West," said Migas, an Internet safety specialist with the Illinois Attorney General's Office.
Migas and Daniel Spillman, assistant attorney general with the high tech crimes bureau, talked to a handful of audience members, introducing what they referred to as a "travel guide" for parents to navigate their way through some of these social networking sites and learn the languages being used by children to communicate.
Migas said acronyms often are used amongst bloggers and instant messengers and are not always familiar to parents, who should be monitoring their children's online activities.
"It's like going to another country; you've got to learn the places and the language so you can keep up with the kids because predators know where the kids are," Migas said.
She pointed to examples such as A/S/L, which means age, sex, location. Predators can easily find a person with just that bit of information. Also, she cautioned parents about the acronym POS, which means parents over shoulder.
Internet chat rooms, sites people can access to discuss various topics in real time, also present possible dangerous encounters with predators.
Oftentimes, children will stumble upon sites because they're curious about the titles, and find themselves looking at sexually explicit photos, or conversations, without meaning to.
"And if your child actually talks to you about it, they should be praised. Often they are scared to talk because they're scared their computer privileges will be revoked," Migas said.
Spillman stressed he and Migas aren't trying to give out parenting advice, but threatening to yank the child's computer time away often hampers the child's willingness to open up about their Internet activities.
Online predators often will use what is referred to as "grooming" techniques to establish a relationship with a child, often times offering compliments about the child's looks or sympathizing with their problems.
Predators also are taking advantage of Web cams, soliciting children to take off their clothes by blackmailing them with personal information the predator threatens to share with the child's school or parents.
"These guys know how to get a hook in them and reel them in," Spillman said.
According to statistics, one in seven children will be approached online for sexual content. In the majority of cases, the predators are men.
While law enforcement does have the power to criminally charge predators, and authorities constantly monitor possibly dangerous encounters, Migas and Spillman said that's not enough eyes to protect children.
"We rely on parents," Migas said.
Keep the computer in an open area. Ask children about their Internet activities and monitor their social networking sites. Parents also can check recent activities on the computer by accessing the Internet history account in the control panel of the computer.
Blogs also have grown in popularity.
"Basically a blog is an online journal," Migas said, warning, "If you wouldn't want your grandma to see the pictures or read the content, don't post it."
Digital technology also has spurred what is deemed, "cyberbullying."
Instead of bullies preying on their victims in the halls of school or at the park, the tormenting is taking place online -- where the threats and harassment can be seen by anyone around the world.
"It's easy because they feel anonymous, and they don't see the reactions of the victims," Migas said.
Children can no longer take refuge in their homes from bullies.
"It can happen anywhere, anytime," Migas said.
According to statistics provided, more than 40 percent of children are bullied online at some point.
When a child feels threatened or harassed online, Migas and Spillman said the incident should be reported to parents and-or police. Also, any evidence should be printed and saved, and children should not retort in any way, as it can worsen the situation.
While many of the social networking sites do have safety measures, predators often find a way around them. Law enforcement also continues to monitor the Internet, but Internet dangers will be an ongoing issue in which authorities need the help of parents to fight.
"Unfortunately, I don't think this bureau will go under," Migas said of the attorney general's high tech crimes bureau.
Internet acronyms parents should know:
AITR: Adult In The Room
P911: Parent Emergency
PAW: Parents Are Watching
PIR: Parent In Room
POS: Parent Over Shoulder
MOS: Mom Over Shoulder
MIRL: Meet In Real Life
S2R: Send To Receive (pictures)
CD9: Code 9 (parents are around)
E or X: Ecstasy (the drug)
ASL(R P): Age Sex Location (Race / Picture)
TDTM: Talk Dirty To Me
Parents, get with the times.
That was Sarah Migas' opening message during a presentation about online safety Thursday night at Ottawa Township High School.
Social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook and Internet chat rooms and instant messaging are becoming increasingly popular means for children and teenagers to socialize. While they have their positives, digital technology also can be dangerous.
"Kids are seeing the Internet as the wild wild West," said Migas, an Internet safety specialist with the Illinois Attorney General's Office.
Migas and Daniel Spillman, assistant attorney general with the high tech crimes bureau, talked to a handful of audience members, introducing what they referred to as a "travel guide" for parents to navigate their way through some of these social networking sites and learn the languages being used by children to communicate.
Migas said acronyms often are used amongst bloggers and instant messengers and are not always familiar to parents, who should be monitoring their children's online activities.
"It's like going to another country; you've got to learn the places and the language so you can keep up with the kids because predators know where the kids are," Migas said.
She pointed to examples such as A/S/L, which means age, sex, location. Predators can easily find a person with just that bit of information. Also, she cautioned parents about the acronym POS, which means parents over shoulder.
Internet chat rooms, sites people can access to discuss various topics in real time, also present possible dangerous encounters with predators.
Oftentimes, children will stumble upon sites because they're curious about the titles, and find themselves looking at sexually explicit photos, or conversations, without meaning to.
"And if your child actually talks to you about it, they should be praised. Often they are scared to talk because they're scared their computer privileges will be revoked," Migas said.
Spillman stressed he and Migas aren't trying to give out parenting advice, but threatening to yank the child's computer time away often hampers the child's willingness to open up about their Internet activities.
Online predators often will use what is referred to as "grooming" techniques to establish a relationship with a child, often times offering compliments about the child's looks or sympathizing with their problems.
Predators also are taking advantage of Web cams, soliciting children to take off their clothes by blackmailing them with personal information the predator threatens to share with the child's school or parents.
"These guys know how to get a hook in them and reel them in," Spillman said.
According to statistics, one in seven children will be approached online for sexual content. In the majority of cases, the predators are men.
While law enforcement does have the power to criminally charge predators, and authorities constantly monitor possibly dangerous encounters, Migas and Spillman said that's not enough eyes to protect children.
"We rely on parents," Migas said.
Keep the computer in an open area. Ask children about their Internet activities and monitor their social networking sites. Parents also can check recent activities on the computer by accessing the Internet history account in the control panel of the computer.
Blogs also have grown in popularity.
"Basically a blog is an online journal," Migas said, warning, "If you wouldn't want your grandma to see the pictures or read the content, don't post it."
Digital technology also has spurred what is deemed, "cyberbullying."
Instead of bullies preying on their victims in the halls of school or at the park, the tormenting is taking place online -- where the threats and harassment can be seen by anyone around the world.
"It's easy because they feel anonymous, and they don't see the reactions of the victims," Migas said.
Children can no longer take refuge in their homes from bullies.
"It can happen anywhere, anytime," Migas said.
According to statistics provided, more than 40 percent of children are bullied online at some point.
When a child feels threatened or harassed online, Migas and Spillman said the incident should be reported to parents and-or police. Also, any evidence should be printed and saved, and children should not retort in any way, as it can worsen the situation.
While many of the social networking sites do have safety measures, predators often find a way around them. Law enforcement also continues to monitor the Internet, but Internet dangers will be an ongoing issue in which authorities need the help of parents to fight.
"Unfortunately, I don't think this bureau will go under," Migas said of the attorney general's high tech crimes bureau.
Internet acronyms parents should know:
AITR: Adult In The Room
P911: Parent Emergency
PAW: Parents Are Watching
PIR: Parent In Room
POS: Parent Over Shoulder
MOS: Mom Over Shoulder
MIRL: Meet In Real Life
S2R: Send To Receive (pictures)
CD9: Code 9 (parents are around)
E or X: Ecstasy (the drug)
ASL(R P): Age Sex Location (Race / Picture)
TDTM: Talk Dirty To Me
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