Any online postings or other electronic communication by students, including cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking, cyber-harassment, etc. occurring completely outside of the Eastern Regional High School's control (e.g. not on the high school networks, websites or between high school email accounts) will only be subject to the Eastern Regional High School's Policy when those online behaviors can be shown to cause a substantial on-campus disruption. Otherwise, such communications are considered speech protected by the 1st Amendment. 

FAQ'S ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, SNAPCHAT, INSTAGRAM, BLOGSPOT, YOUTUBE, LINKEDIN, ETC...

1. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

You are responsible for what you post on the internet. While you can't control with certainty who views your information, you can control the type of information you display.

2. WHO IS ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, ETC?

Anyone can join these sites and potentially gain access to your information. Potential employers may not have access to your page, but a current intern or alumnus at the company who belongs to your school's network could view and share information from your profile. 

3. I KEEP STRICT SECURITY SETTINGS & ONLY MY FRIENDS CAN SEE IT!

Just because you've changed your privacy settings or deleted incriminating photos, doesn't mean your information can't come back to haunt you. These sites do not use secure encryption, meaning there's a chance an Internet Service Provider (ISP) software can hijack the transmission of your profile and use it against you. "Untagging" or deleting items may avoid problems in the future, but you never know how many people have printed or saved your profile or pictures. Also, Many ISPs and servers routinely back up or duplicate your information, thus saving it indefinitely.

4. SNAPCHATS ARE ONLY TEMPORARY, AND I CAN CONTROL HOW LONG MY FRIENDS CAN SEE MY PICTURES/VIDEOS.

While you may be able to limit how long a friend of yours can see a picture or video, it only takes one second for someone to screenshot your snapchat. Once someone screenshots a picture, you have no guarantee what they are going to do with that picture. The best thing to do is to not send pictures/videos through snapchat that you wouldn't want shared with the public. 

5. IT IS MY PERSONAL PAGE... WHAT I POST ON THERE CAN'T BE HELD AGAINST ME.

Police departments and school officials are increasingly using social networking sites to identify potential suspects in crimes. While Eastern Regional High School officials will not routinely monitor these sites, if a violation is brought to their attention an investigation can begin.

 

KEEP THIS IN MIND...

1. If you would not want your family or parents to see it, don't post it.

2. Only accept "Friend/Follow Requests" from people that you know and trust.

3. You only have one chance to make a first impression - don't let your profile ruin it for you.

4. Think twice before advertising parties and events involving alcohol, even if everyone you invite is 21.

5. The privacy settings are there for a reason - use them

RESOURCES:

Cornell University, "Thoughts on Facebook"

Mercyhurst College, "Face the Facts"

Updated by: Daniel V. Percopo; Fall 2011

CYBERSTALKING AND CYBERBULLYING

Cyberstalking and Cyberbullying have both become forms of harassment at the junior high and high school level.  Cyberstalking and Cyberbullying may come in the form of e-mails, text messages, use of online social networking sites, cell phones, cameras, and even GPS units. 

The Eastern rRegional High School Student Code of Conduct, in conjunction with the policies and procedures addresses Cyberstalking & Cyberbullying as a form of harassment and/or discrimination.  It is important that students report being harassed to Eastern Regional Addministration  to investigate the issue, talk about options and students rights, as well as to provide on or off campus resources as needed.    

HOW ARE PEOPLE CYBERBULLIED OR CYBERSTALKED?

Being a victim of cyberbullying can be a common and painful experience.  People who cyberbully or cyberstalk:

• Pretend they are other people online to trick others
• Spread lies and rumors about victims
• Trick people into revealing personal information
• Send or forward mean text messages
• Post pictures of victims without their consent

Of people surveyed by the National Crime Prevention Council (2010), 81 percent said that cyberbullies think it's funny. Other's believe those who cyberbully:

• Don't think it's a big deal
• Don't think about the consequences
• Are encouraged by friends
• Think everybody cyberbullies
• Think they won't get caught

HOW DO VICTIMS REACT?

Contrary to what cyberbullies may believe, cyberbullying is a big deal, and can cause a variety of reactions. Some people have reacted in positive ways to try to prevent cyberbullying by:

• Blocking communication with the cyberbully
• Deleting messages without reading them
• Talking to a friend about the bullying
• Reporting the problem to an Internet service provider or website moderator
• Calling University Police , Residence Life Services Hall Staff, Office of Social Equity, or Judicial Affairs

Many high school aged students and youths experience a variety of emotions when they are cyberbullied. Young adults and youth who are cyberbullied report feeling angry, hurt, embarrassed, or scared. These emotions can cause victims, just like during other forms of harassment, to react in ways such as

• Seeking revenge on the bully
• Avoiding friends and activities
• Cyberbullying back

Some people feel threatened because they may not know who is cyberbullying them. Although cyberbullies may think they are anonymous, they can be found. If you are cyberbullied or harassed and need help, save all communication with the cyberbully and talk to your school administrtor.

HOW CAN I PREVENT CYBERBULLYING?

• Refuse to pass along cyberbullying messages
• Tell friends to stop cyberbullying
• Block communication with cyberbullies
• Report cyberbullying to a trusted adult
• Raising awareness of the cyberbullying problem in your community by holding an assembly and creating fliers to give to younger kids or parents
• Sharing NCPC's anti-cyberbullying message with friends

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO STAY CYBER-SAFE?

Remember that the Internet is accessed by millions of people all over the world, not just your friends and family. While many Internet users are friendly, some may want to hurt you.  

Below are some ways to stay cyber-safe:

• Never post or share your personal information online (this includes your full name, address, telephone number, school name, parents' names, credit card number, or Social Security number) or your friends' personal information.
• Never share your Internet passwords with anyone, except your parents.
• Never meet anyone face-to-face whom you only know online.
• Be sure to remember that future employers will likely be checking information related to you online.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Check out the following resources to learn more about preventing cyber-bullying:

• National Crime Prevention Council provides information about stopping cyberbullying before it starts.
• Cyberbullying.us provides cyberbullying research, stories, cases, downloads, fact sheets, tips and strategies, news headlines, a blog, and a number of other helpful resources on their comprehensive public service website.
• http://stopcyberbullying.org/has a fun quiz to rate your online behavior, information about why some people cyberbully, and how to stop yourself from cyberbullying.
• http://stopbullyingnow.com/has information about what you can do to stop bullying.
• 'Act now to address cyberstalking to protect students, instition' Student Affairs Today, (August 2009) Wiley Periodicals, Inc, A Wiley Company
• http://www.victimsofcrime.org/our-programs/stalking-resource-center provides training, technical assistance and materials to help develop antistalking programs