© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.an i-SAFE presentation

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

Learning Goals

YOU WILL:• Understand that an online stranger is anyone met

exclusively online• Be able to list safety rules/advice of behavior towards

strangers in the physical community that also apply to behavior towards strangers in Cyberspace

• Recognize steps in an online predator’s grooming process

• Know how to interact online appropriately and safely

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

Do You Go Online?

Discuss:Do you go online alone?

What do you do online?

How do you know how old someone is that you meet online?

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Group Activity

Your teacher will provide you with activity instructions.

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

Stranger

When online, who should be categorized as a stranger?

Anyone met exclusively online (not already known from the physical community) is an online stranger.

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

Discuss:What rules do you follow in the physical world for meeting or communicating with strangers?

Do these rules also apply to the cyber community?

REMEMBER: Anyone you meet online is a stranger to you, no matter how well you think you know them.

Stranger

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

Online Socializing

To socialize online means to interact with others using Internet technologies.

• Name some ways people socialize online.• Name your favorite ways to

socialize online. • List some good rules to help

us (even adults) stay safe when socializing online.

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Online Realities

Sometimes people lie about who they are when socializing online.

• This could be because they want to bully or steal identities.

• It also could be that they are just exploring and experimenting.

Sometimes adults lie online in order to meet and form friendships with youth. They are called predators.

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

Minimizing Danger

There are things you can do to minimize the danger and the chances of becoming the victim of an online predator, including the following:

•Choose a safe screen name•Use caution when choosing whom to communicate with•Avoid revealing too much personal information

No matter what, it is important to tell an adult if:•You feel uncomfortable online for any reason•You are approached by someone who discusses inappropriate things •You are approached by someone who wants to meet you offline

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

The Grooming Process

“Grooming process” is a term for the steps an online predator may use to make friends on the Internet.

Let’s go over the grooming process flyer together now!

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

SIMILAR INTERESTSAn online predator will establish a relationship by discussing common interests, likes and dislikes with the intended victim. This leads to a feeling of familiarity and friendship.

Once the grooming process starts, the victim feels like he or she really knows the predator – it is difficult to consider this “friend” a “stranger”.

The Grooming Process

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

Similar Interests

Protect yourself:• Review the information you have posted about yourself

online – A predator may search online profiles and screen names for interest topics such as particular sports or hobbies, as well as birth dates or ages.

• Think carefully when communicating with people you know only online (strangers) – You could be encouraging unwanted or even dangerous behavior with what you say.

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

TRUSTA predator will want to listen to anything that the victim wants to talk about in order to build a feeling of trust.

The Grooming Process

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

Trust

Protect yourself:• Think about what you are saying about yourself online – Is

it appropriate information to give a stranger?

• Think about how you are feeling when you go online – A predator will target those who appear to be lonely or depressed. Talk to a friend offline.

BEST ADVICE – Find a trusted friend OFFLINE to help with a problem.

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

SECRECY• As the relationship progresses a predator may ask the

victim to keep the friendship secret from others.

• This approach gives the predator confidence that it will be more difficult for an adult to step in and protect the victim.

The Grooming Process

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

Secrecy

Protect yourself:• Avoid people online who ask you to keep your friendship secret – Think

about it: there is no good reason to keep an online friendship secret.

• NEVER respond to a threat anyone makes online – One whomakes threats cannot be trusted. Tell someone OFFLINE if you are threatened.

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

Secrecy

Secrecy in a relationship may lead to the exchange of inappropriate language, pictures or videos.

Protect yourself:• Reject any inappropriate material received online – Report it to a trusted adult OFFLINE.

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

Activity

Take time to decorate your flyer.

Hang them where others can learn about predators and the grooming process.

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

Remember

• Anyone met online is a stranger.• Be SAFE when socializing online:

– Be careful when choosing screen names and posting personal information online.

– Tell your friends and parents about those you meet online.

– Report online behaviors of others that make you uncomfortable.

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.

Review

• What are the steps in the grooming process?

• How can knowing these steps make you more confident users of Internet communications?

Thank you for participating in this i-SAFE presentation.

Duplication and/or selling of the information contained within this document, or any other form of unauthorized use of this copyrighted material, is against the law and a punishable crime.

© 2008 i-SAFE Inc.