PRESS ROOM

"Cyberethics, Cybersafety and Cybersecurity"
NOVEMBER 7, 2005 Transcript (tappedin.org)
This is a session aimed at informing the educational community about the ethical, legal, safety, and security implications of technology use. Tonight's discussion will focus on the problem of juvenile cybercrime.

2005.11.07 16:26:01 Login
Room: ASO

MaryLR joined the room.

DavinaP joined the room.

MaryLR: I will be leading the discussion here in a few minutes, and will be posting some information about juvenile cybercrime and its consequences.

DavinaP: hi Mary

MaryLR: Everything's ready.

BjB: |** ANNOUNCEMENT: Cyberethics, Cybersafety and Cybersecurity is starting in the ASO. To participate click on the ONLINE tab to the left of the chat window, click one time on MaryLR and then click on the door icon at the bottom of the frame **

DavinaP: Excellent. Mary will be leading the dicsussion tonight on Cyberethics

MaryLR: I am Dr. Mary Radnofsky, president of The Socrates Institute, and co-chair of the Education Working Group of the National Cyber Security Alliance. Currently, I am designing and developing "The CyberEthics Project," a complete package of educational materials for K-12 that will address the problem of juvenile cybercrime with case study videos of actual juvenile cybercrimes, a curriculum for teachers and parents, simulations, a cyber-role play game, and opportunities for special cyber-internships. The Socrates Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization, incorporated in Alexandria, Virginia in 1995.

MaryLR: This evening, the discussion will focus on juvenile [mis]behavior online, and what can be done to help these young people avoid the sometimes-catastrophic consequences of their unethical cyber-choices.

SusanR joined the room.

DavinaP: Mary it usually takes folks awhile to enter in--I usually start a few minutes after just FYI

DonnaH joined the room.

DavinaP: you will have to repost this same message you sent several times as new folks entering can not see text prior to them entering

DonnaH: *waves howdy*

SusanR: hey hello Donna

MaryLR: Welcome. While we wait for a few more members to join the session, please indicate what topics regarding cyberethics and the cyberworld you would like to see discussed.

DonnaH: came because I heard it was going to be on cybersafety:)

MaryLR: Yes, we will be discussing safety issues as well.

DrMattB joined the room.

EvelynKS joined the room.

SusanR: we spoke this morning, Mary

MaryLR: When the issues is juvenile cybercrime, we are also very concerned with their safety as well.

AjitGst14 joined the room.

StaceyMR joined the room.

MaryLR: I am Dr. Mary Radnofsky, president of The Socrates Institute, and co-chair of the Education Working Group of the National Cyber Security Alliance. Currently, I am designing and developing "The CyberEthics Project," a complete package of educational materials for K-12 that will address the problem of juvenile cybercrime with case study videos of actual juvenile cybercrimes, a curriculum for teachers and parents, simulations, a cyber-role play game, and opportunities for special cyber-internships. The Socrates Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization, incorporated in Alexandria, Virginia in 1995.

MaryLR: This evening, the discussion will focus on juvenile [mis]behavior online, and what can be done to help these young people avoid the sometimes-catastrophic consequences of their unethical cyber-choices.

DavinaP: Before I start with introductions of the guest speaker can folks please introduce themselves and their interest in the topic please

DonnaH: Donna Hendry, Technology integration specialist k-8; CT

SusanR: Sue Roseman..K to 8 Occasional Teacher and K to 3+ Great Reources facilitator here at TI

AjitGst14: AjitSingh: Work in IT sector (CNSI) and trying to broaden horizon on cyber ethics.

DavinaP: I am Davina Pruitt-Mentle-Director of Educational Technology Policy, Research and Outreach --at the University of Maryland (College of Education) we started off having a Monday session on C3 (cyberethics, scurity and safety throughout October for October is Cybersecuirty awareness month--with interest we have contiuned the monthly session --one time per month...tonight...

MaryLR: Issues of cybercrime, cybersafety, cybersecurity, and cyberethics are very closely related, so the variety of perspectives tonight will be valuable.

DavinaP: I welcome Mary Radnofsky CEO, The Socrates Institute, to discuss Cybersafety and Cyberethics...welcome

MaryLR: Thank you Davina. I start with this: "Ethics - a set of acceptable behaviors in a given culture."

MaryLR: Our current problem is that we have children in a situation where a large number of adults ignore ethical standards. Last year, 30% of adults surveyed said that downloading music without permission or paying is acceptable behavior (though it is illegal and punishable by fines up to $250,000 per song). This same survey also reported that 78% of adults believe that parents - not teachers - bear the most responsibility for teaching children respect for copyrighted material. (Business Software Alliance, 2004)

MaryLR: So who should teach cyberethics to children? And whose ethics should we teach? In that vein, I open the virtual floor to your comments.

BJB2: tough question

AjitGst14: I think it is responsibility of Parents, teachers both. I am not sure about whose ethics should be taught?

MaryLR: Other examples of cybercrimes include plagiarism and filesharing. Are these more of a problem in your experiences?

DavinaP: Ethics included such a wide topic--parents and teachers I agree--but how?

LoriRou joined the room.

AjitGst14: Ethics is a very broad subject. I believe if we emphasize ethics in general in our life it should also have impact in internet sphere as well.

MaryLR: Teachers can set up a series of simulations for students. We will be creating these so that students can role-play these dilemmas.

DavinaP: and identity theft--how not to be a victim but how do we tap into why folks (kids) even try there hand at this(several of the local school systems in MD have had real battles in this area

DSinghGst23: Davina and Mary this is DJSingh from CSM

DrMattB: Hi, I'm Matt, a college science instructor who also develops lessons for K-12. Perhaps teachers could remind parents about the importance of cyberethics?

LoriRou: Hi, I'm Lori, IT Director at the Bullis School

DavinaP: SSingh what is CSM?

MaryLR: Yes, parents can be informed about some sites. Sites you can go to learn more vocabulary:
ABOUT-THE-WEB
http://about-the-web.com/shtml/glossary.shtml

MaryLR: THE SHARPENED.NET COMPUTER GLOSSARY
http://www.sharpened.net/glossary/index.php

MaryLR: GLOSARIO DE INTERNET (in Spanish) http://www.uco.es/ccc/glosario/glosario.html

DSinghGst23: Davina CSM is College of Southern Maryland. I met you at the C3 conference and also at CyberWATCH.

MaryLR: The idea is to help the parents, since they want to be the ones to teach their children.

DavinaP: Got it

MaryLR: There are a number of things that teachers can do.

DSinghGst23: Would we be able to get a copy of the chat?

ArthurGst24 joined the room.

MaryLR: For example, does anyone here monitor children while they are at the computer?

AjitGst14: most of the time, yes.

DrMattB: Often it's difficult.

MaryLR: Have the computer put in the family room, if possible. There is also software so that you can see every keystroke they make. Do surprise spot checks if necessary.

MaryLR: But I realize it's not enough to monitor. We want them to be safe even when we are not around, right?

AjitGst14: yes

DavinaP: but Mary--how can we teach the ethical part to kids so that we do not have to depend on spot checks so much

LoriRou: and now with many cell phone plans allowing for web access, it is not longer just the computer

MaryLR: There are standards at the state and international levels for civics and thus for cyberethics.

LoriRou: can you give us some links to these standards?

MaryLR: Just as adults instill ethics in daily behavior (don't knock down old ladies and steal their purses), there are the equivalent in the cyberworld. I'll indeed give you some.

MaryLR: The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) set up standards in 1998 (ISTE: Eugene OR, www.iste.org) Some of these standards are:

MaryLR: "All students must show responsible use of technology systems, information and software. For example: K-2 Demonstrate positive and ethical software behaviors when using technology. Practice responsible use of technology systems and software. 3-5, 6-8, 9-12: Is anyone more interested in the higher grade levels listed?

DrMattB: Eventually. But I'll defer to the majority for now.

NancyG joined the room.

MaryLR: Standards for ethical behavior in VIRGINIA are as follows: o Civics standards - (e.g. SOL #CE4 of Virginia):
"The student will demonstrate knowledge of personal character traits that facilitate thoughtful and effective participation in civic life by: Practicing trustworthiness and honesty, Practicing courtesy and respect for the rights of others, Practicing responsibility, accountability and self-reliance, Practicing respect for the law."

LoriRou: I think one of the keys to driving the cyberethics message home is to begin in the elementary grades

DrMattB: Are the standards generally at the state level?

MaryLR: Standards are at the International, National, State and Local levels, as well as specific to each school --- it's hard to keep up.

BrendaE joined the room.

AjitGst14: Is there any measurement to see how children are following ethics?

MaryLR: One of the ways to teach about the cyberworld, though, is to create situations in which the students must make safe, secure, ethical, and legal choices. Would anyone like some case studies?

AjitGst14: yes

LoriRou: yes

DSinghGst23: yes

MaryLR: Measurement of ethical behavior can be achieved by before and after tests on safe decision-making etc.

MaryLR: OK. Here's one. In September 2004, several people, including children, in three states had their homes raided by FBI agents as part of a sting to crack down on the illegal sharing of movies, music, and software on the Internet. The Justice Department said that 7,000 members of the so-called Underground Network traded movies, software programs, games and music on five hub servers. In a federal case, Kerry Gonzalez, 25, was convicted in New Jersey for stealing a preview copy of The Hulk and posting it online before the film's release. He faces up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. What's interesting is that not only was Kerry guilty, but so was every kid that downloaded the Hulk!

DrMattB: Do you think the kids realized that they were doing something wrong?

MaryLR: Good question. And that is often the problem. Some do not. But the consequences are the same.

DSinghGst23: Information on what is the right side of the law is difficult to find and sometimes difficult to interpret

MaryLR: And it is constantly changing.

LoriRou: I recently conducted two cyberbullying awareness assemblies at my school - one for middle school students, and a separate assembly for the high school students. The kids were totally shocked when they heard about the various laws that are in place in some state and at the federal level

DrMattB: What is cyberbullying?

MaryLR: Exactly. So one of the things we are doing at Socrates in including lessons about the law as well as the moral issues. And there are all sorts of security issues.

AjitGst14: I think if it is not already a subject in schools it should be made one as a mandatory subject

LoriRou: Cyberbullying is the same as bullying in the physical world, except that it happens online in chat rooms, email, and/or text messages.

ArthurGst24: Perhaps I missed this, but inasmuch as the topic includes ethics, what is the topical definition of the word "ethics" as being used here? Does everyone have the same working definition? In other words, are we all on the same page? Thanks.

MaryLR: In addition to bullying, there are bad cases of juvenile cyberstalking and cybersex. A case will be put in a moment.

SusanR . o O ( online harassment )

MaryLR: For those of you just joining us, "Ethics - a set of acceptable behaviors in a given culture."

MaryLR: Our current problem is that we have children in a situation where a large number of adults ignore ethical standards.

SusanR: Cyberbullying sometimes involves racial, religious or culture slurs.

DavinaP: Arthur--I think any of the standard definitions would cover the broad topic see: link

MaryLR: In 2002, A 13-year-old girl from Arkansas was murdered by a man she met on the Internet. He had stalked her and actually taken her out of her own home. She had given away too much information.

The idea is to use such case studies with the students, depending upon the age, and to ask how the victim could have made different choices, how the cybercriminal could have chosen different behaviors, and how they plan to deal with similar situations in the future.

DrMattB: You mentioned that Socrates deals with legal issues, moral issues and maybe security issues. Do you use the approach you just mentioned in all three areas?

MaryLR: Regarding the use of simulations and role-plays, yes. Our current project will combine simulations and video case studies with a cybergame for practice role-play and assessment in all three areas.

DavidWe joined the room.

MaryLR: Are there any particular types of cybercrimes that interest you? (e.g. cyberterrorism, hacking, viruses, filesharing, etc.?

DavidWe smiles

DavidWe . o O ( cyber-speeding? )

MaryLR: That's not illegal, is it?

DavidWe doesn't want to get another ticket

MaryLR: Cyberspace is forgiving in that area; the faster the microprocessor, the better!

DavidWe agrees but keeps looking in the rear-view mirror

BJB2 . o O ( no wonder he has so much trouble typing! )

DavidWe smiles

SusanR: I am interested in cyberbullying that can include cruel jokes, malicious gossip, embarrassing information or photographs, and/or Web sites designed to target a specific child or teacher.

SusanR: and how to target that amongst students

DrMattB: The case studies sound like they would be very effective for educating both kids and parents. Are they effective down to the lowest grades, or are different approaches needed for the little ones?

DrMattB: Related to that, I was thinking about at what age or grade we should start cyberethics education. Perhaps it should begin as soon as kids start to use computers? But that could be at maybe age 2 years, right?

MaryLR: I know of a case where a student changed his fellow students' grades in a certain class, then offered to tutor them for sexual favors and cash, then likely smear their name. Kids can be unduly cruel in their creativity, and the idea is to get them to see the consequences of real-life stories, so it hits home. In-class simulations are often effective for this (though not in this exact example, of course).

MaryLR: Even for very young children, "pretend" play, like a tea party, prepare them for the real world. Create the ENVIRONMENT for learning, and children will do the rest.

DavidWe: It's how they learn

BJB2: do scenarios that frighten or put the 'fear of god' into a child work? Remember all the scared straight programs?

AjitGst14: Is there any tool available to force people to follow ethics in cybsespace.

DavidWe smiles

MaryLR: I don't want to frighten them or by any means put the fear of god in them. Quite the contrary, I want them to be in a situation where they can safely take the time to think about their actions, so that when the real thing happens, then know exactly what to do.

DavidWe: A big hammer?

BJB2 nods to Mary

MaryLR: Hmmm

DavidWe: That would seem to be the goal of most education, right?

DavidWe . o O ( Lock the books in the library or TEACH students to handle materials respectfully )

MaryLR: Society and the Courts have defined what is ethical in our world today. If it applies in the real world, most educators would want it to apply in the virtual world, too.

DavidWe: Don't ethics tend to depend on culture?

MaryLR: We only have a few minutes left, so please make your final comments, or ask your last questions. I will stay late, or you can reach me by email.

MaryLR: Exactly! Ethics DO depend on culture.

DavidWe smiles

BJB2: the next Cyberethics discussion will be December 5 at 8pm EST

DavinaP: While you adding your last comments--I'd like to thank Mary for taking the time to be our guest for this months C3 event!

DavidWe: Thanks, Mary

MaryLR: You bring us back to the opening, which is: what do we do when the adults of our culture do not obey the ethical standards online that society and the courts impose?

BJB2: thanks, Mary!

DavidWe: Put them in the stocks!

DrMattB: Thanks, Mary!

AjitGst14: Thanks Mary and good night to all.

MaryLR: Thanks to all of you for your interest and participation. There are a number of resources and ideas that did not fit in this space, so if you are interested, feel free to contact me.

LoriRou: Thanks Mary!

BJB2: you are welcome to join us next month, Mary

MaryLR: I look forward to it

BJB2: thanks again.

DavidWe: What's your email, Mary?

MaryLR: mary@socratesinstitute.org

DavidWe: Thanks. If you have a minute, what's the Socrates Institute?

MaryLR: The Socrates Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization, incorporated in Alexandria, Virginia in 1995. Our mission is to develop and evaluate educational programs for school systems throughout the country. We provide interdisciplinary educational curricula, materials and services to make teaching and learning more effective, rewarding, and beneficial to society.

DavidWe is reading that from the web page

DavidWe smiles

DavidWe: How long have you been working with the Socrates Institute?

MaryLR: I founded the nonprofit 10 years ago, and have run a number of interdisciplinary programs. I am currently looking to hire a webmaster and bookkeeper, as we expand The CyberEthics Project.

DavidWe: Congratulations. I'll read up more about the Socrates Institute

DavidWe nods

MaryLR: Goodluck, and goodnight.

DavinaP: I have to go to read to kids--this was WONDERFUL What a great group!!

MaryLR: I do hope it was what you expected. Please let me know how to improve it in the future.

DavinaP: nothing; this was Fantastic--we will have to get you back this was GREAT!!

2005.11.07 18:13:13 Signoff

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