Appropriate and Inappropriate Use of Technology
by Chuck Wergin
August 30, 2010
Student Assembly
On Wednesday, August 25, an assembly was held for students at Milford Jr/Sr High School. Karen Haase, an attorney with Harding & Shultz, presented material about appropriate and inappropriate use of technology. Due to the nature of the subject, students were split into four groups by gender and age.
Karen spent a majority of her thirty-minute presentation discussing sexting, which is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photos electronically, primarily between cell phones. She also spent time talking about cyberbullying with the junior high students. Cyberbullying is the use of technology, such as computers and cell phones, to engage in repeated and hostile behavior by an individual or group that is intended to harm others.
During her discussion, Karen emphasized to students how one poor decision on Facebook or texting can impact the rest of a person’s life. Karen shared a number of court cases dealing with teenagers’ inappropriate use of cell phones or the internet. Nebraska State Law now makes sexting a class IV felony for offenders under the age of nineteen. If convicted, the punishment could include up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, and a requirement to register as a sex offender for life. Karen stated that most cases are resulting in a fine, community service, required class/counseling, and being required to register as a sex offender.
Karen encouraged students to considering the five following points before hitting the send or share button on their phone or Facebook:
- Don’t assume anything you send or post is private.
- A majority of sexting incidents involve pictures to boyfriend/girlfriend.
- Every message sent is stored on a server and can be retrieved, even if the message has been deleted.
- There is no changing your mind in cyberspace.
- Nothing you send will ever go away.
- People checking on-line include parents, college recruiters, the NFL, and creepy pedophiles.
- If something makes you uncomfortable, don’t send it.
- Consider the recipient’s reaction.
- Nothing is truly anonymous.
The school felt it was important to educate our students on the dangers of the inappropriate uses of technology and the possible consequences of making poor decisions regarding technology. We would encourage parents/guardians to discuss this issue with their children. Parents can find some helpful tips in the attachment listed below.
Parent Tips for monitoring students use of technology: "Technology Tips"
