2010 Act Out Loud Contest
Teen drivers are facing more and more dangerous distractions as they drive. The texting while driving phenomena has emerged as one the most dangerous. As schools and communities search for effective education strategies, the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) is now offering funding to jumpstart projects and activities geared towards distracted driving prevention. For more information on this and other funding opportunities and resources, please visit the NOYS website at: www.actoutloud.org
Court Ruling Affirms Students' Free Speech Rights
Recent court cases have made it clear that the First Amendment does cover internet ‘speech’ as long as it does not disrupt the school campus. Federal judges have upheld students’ 1st Amendment rights in cyberspace. US District Judge Stephen Wilson opined, "To allow the school to . . . suspend a student simply because another student takes offense to their speech, without any evidence that such speech caused a substantial disruption of the school's activities, runs afoul" of the law.”
For more information and to access the entire article, please click the following link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-youtube-schools13-2009dec13,0,6677934.storyTests Reveal Dangers of Texting While Driving
There could be some upcoming changes to driver’s education curriculum as two recent studies draw more attention to the inherent peril of texting while driving. The following article discusses two separate studies that bring to light the severity of texting while driving. One study recently conducted by the Virginia Transportation Institute concluded that texting while driving leads to more crashes than previously thought, while a second study by Car and Driver magazine exhibited that texting while driving can be more hazardous than driving while intoxicated.
Smart Phones Go to School
In this technological age of smart phones, some schools are attempting to incorporate their use into classroom application. Although most schools have adopted a ban on cell phones, some schools are taking a different approach. The following article highlights the efforts of one school district to engage students academically with the use of technology in the form of PDAs. The anticipation is that there could be far reaching benefits including computer literacy and responsibility.
Bullying and Cyber-Bullying Featured in Latest Issue of The Challenge Newsletter
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools dedicated its most recent edition of The Challenge Newsletter to bullying and cyber-bullying, including the following topic areas: The School Bully in Cyberspace; Dr. Susan Limber Discusses Bullying in The Digital Age; What Can Schools Do About Cyber Bullying?; Empowering Students to Speak Up About Cyber Bullying; and Lawmakers Help Educators Take Aim at Cyber Bullying. The newsletter is found online and is available for download at: http://www.thechallenge.org/index.htm.
Protecting Kids Online - Internet Safety Video
Produced in Pennsylvania, this 22-minute Internet safety resource speaks to parents and caregivers on topics from understanding the serious repercussion of cyber-bullying to learning how to safeguard our children from online predators.
This educational video is part of the Protecting Kids Online (PKO) Internet safety initiative sponsored by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania State Police and coordinated by the Center for Safe Schools.
For your convenience, the entire 22-minute video is available on this site. To begin watching the video, simply click on the image below.
Before viewing the video, you are encouraged to first view the Protecting Kids Online (PKO) Video User's Guide (PDF format). The guide provides recommendations on the use of Protecting Kids Online, an educational video on safeguarding children.
NOTE: In order to view the PKO video online, you will need the Adobe Flash Player plug-in. To download the free plug-in, click here to visit the Adobe website.
Protecting Kids Online Video Wins Prestigious Award
HARRISBURG -- A special video designed to educate parents, caregivers and youngsters about Internet safety issues, including cyber-bullying and online predators, has earned a bronze Telly Award in the film and video category.
The Telly Awards, given out after a highly respected national and international competition, honor outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions. More than 14,000 entries are received each year from all 50 states and many foreign countries.
The award-winning DVD, "Protecting Our Kids Online," was unveiled at the 2008 Safe School Conference earlier this year. The DVD was a collaborative effort between the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Funding for the video was provided by PCCD and supported by the Center for Schools and Communities.
DVDs were sent to public and private schools across Pennsylvania, as well as intermediate units. In addition, more than 500 law enforcement offices in the state have received training in the Protecting Our Kids Online initiative.
Important Study on Child Safety and Online Technologies Released
The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University has released a new report entitled: Enhancing Child Safety and Online Technologies: Final Report of the Internet Safety Technical Task Force to the Multi-State Working Group on Social Networking of State Attorneys General of the United States.
This study brought together multiple leaders of social network sites, academia, education, child safety and public policy advocacy organizations, and technology development. The Task Force consulted extensively with leading researchers in the field of youth online safety and with technology experts, and sought input from the public. Due to the nature of the Task Force, this Report is not a consensus document, and should be read in conjunction with the separate Statements from Task Force members included in the appendix.
Click here to access the report.
Schedule a PKO Presentation in Your Area
Now that you have viewed the Protecting Kids Online video, you may be interested in scheduling a PKO Presentation in your area. To locate a law enforcement officer trained in the Protecting Kids Online program, click on the "Locate an instructor" link.