"With great power comes great responsibility" -Uncle Ben in SPIDERMAN The internet is a powerful tool, it has become indispensable for communication, commerce and research. We use it to find out information for school, for fun, for playing games and for staying in touch with people we love. But there's a dark side to the World Wide Web. . .click on some of the real-life stories below:
"Tracking Teresa" Even though Teresa has tried not to reveal personal information online, she's left enough clues that she could find herself in danger. Play >
VIDEOS OF Real-Life Stories
"Amy's Choice" Hear the true story of a 15-year-old girl who left home to meet in person with a man she first "met" online. Read "Amy's Story" — the story from her mother's perspective. Play >
"Keisha's Crime" A jealous teen uses the Internet for revenge in this piece about peer-to-peer harassment. Play >
"Angela's Experience" What do you do if someone is harassing you online? This piece discusses netiquette and how to handle harassment appropriately. Play >
"Julie's Journey" Julie left home for three weeks with a convicted murderer she had developed a relationship with online. Play >
"Cyberbullying: Feathers in the Wind" (Part 1 of 3)
Cyberbullying is the use of the Internet to harass or bully others. Watch our new series and discuss with teens what they can do to avoid becoming a victim or victimizing someone else. Play >
"Cyberbullying: You Can't Take It Back" (Part 2 of 3) A teen regrets his participation on a web site created to rate others at his school. Play >
"Cyberbullying: Broken Friendship" (Part 3 of 3) A friendship is broken when a teen gives her best friend's password to some other girls at school. Play >
"Ryan Halligan" Ryan’s life included swimming, camping, skateboarding, biking, snowboarding, playing computer games and instant messaging. A typical array of “healthy” and “normal” teen activities … or so it seemed. Go to website>
Cyber predators use the Internet to hunt for victims to take advantage of in ANY way, including sexually, emotionally, psychologically or financially. Cyber predators know how to manipulate kids, creating trust and friendship where none exists.
Porn stars in spite of themselves Three young girls think it’s lots of fun posting their photos in a chat room and collecting flattering remarks from other chatters. If only the young ladies had an inkling of what’s about to develop...
Predators hide behind masks of anonimity. You think you're chatting to one of these guys when in reality--your online "buddy" may be one of these men arrested recently in Louisiana. Click here to see >
Keep Safe your personal information--all of it! Never give your real name, address or phone number, the name of your school, or a picture of yourself to anyone you don't know online.
KEEP AWAY
Keep away from Internet Strangers--no matter what they tell you, because you have no way of knowing who they really are. Don't talk with them online and never EVER meet them face-to-face.
KEEP TELLING
Keep telling your parents about what you see on the Internet--always tell them or a trusted adult when something or someone makes you uncomfortable.
According to the University of New Hampshire's Crimes Against Children Research Center:
One out of every five youths who use the Internet received an online approach of sexual solicitation during a one-year period. In 15% of such cases, the solicitor attempted to meet the child in person. Only 25% of those who encountered a sexual solicitation told a parent or adult. If asked, more than 29% of Internet-using kids will freely give out their home address, e-mail address and other personal information online.
The Louisiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was formed by the Louisiana Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, Charles C. Foti, Jr., and is made up of law enforcement agencies all over the State of Louisiana. Their main objectives are to keep kids safe from Internet predators and to help to educate parents about how they can keep their children safe. Since Myspace.com is the fastest growing and most widely used social networking site among kids on the Internet, they felt that a Task Force profile may be a great resource for kids and parents alike. This is a forum where parents and children can submit questions and concerns and receive a prompt response. Any kid who would like may add The Louisiana ICAC Task Force as a Myspace.com friend, upon doing so, the Louisiana Attorney General Special Agent Badge will show up as a friend on their profile. This will tell potential bullies or criminals that they can easily get into trouble if they mess with you. From home, GO TO: www.myspace.com/icacla
Myspace.com Tips
--Make sure that your profile is set to private.
--Do not post any pictures of yourself, especially ones in which you are easily identifiable, on your profile.
--Monitor your friends' Myspace.com accounts to insure they are not posting any personal information about themselves on their profile.
-- Communicate only with people you know personally.
Thanks to Ms.Henderson's class from Montgomery Charter School: HomeSafety
"Ryan Halligan" 
One out of every five youths who use the Internet received an online approach of sexual solicitation during a one-year period.
