PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Anyone who resorts to bullying or harassment using e-mails, text messages or other electronic means could face stiffer penalties and even jail time under a pair of bills approved by state lawmakers.





One of the bills would subject students who uses any form of electronic communication to intimidate fellow students to the same discipline code as more traditional means of bullying, including verbal and physical acts of harassment.





A second bill would outlaw "cyberharassment," defined as using a computer or electronic device to harass someone.





The bills' sponsors -- state Sen. John Tassoni Jr. and state Rep. Joseph McNamara -- say the rules have changed from the old days of school yard bullies shaking down classmates for lunch money.





They say cyberbullying -- defined as textual, verbal or graphic harassment transmitted by computer, cell phone, telephone or other electronic devices -- is on the rise.





Under the bill, repeated violations that threaten the physical or emotional well-being of any student would be grounds for filing a complaint with the Family Court to have the student engaged in the alleged bullying deemed delinquent.





The problem of cyberbullying is getting increased attention nationwide.





Last month, Facebook, the world's second-largest social networking Web site, announced it was adding more than 40 new safeguards to protect young users from sexual predators and cyberbullies in an agreement with attorneys general from several states.





And last week in Los Angeles, a Missouri woman pleaded not guilty in federal court to charges in an Internet hoax blamed for a 13-year-old girl's suicide.





Investigators say 49-year-old Lori Drew helped create a MySpace account that appeared to belong to a 16-year-old boy who did not exist and used the fake account to send cruel messages to a 13-year-old neighbor Megan Meier, including one stating the world would be better off without her. Megan hanged herself in 2006.





A second bill would make "cyberharassment," a crime.





A first offense would be treated as a misdemeanor and subject to a $500 fine. Second and subsequent offenses would be treated as felonies with fines up to $6,000 or two years in prison.





Both bills now heading to Gov. Don Carcieri's desk.

Although the Internet opens a world of possibilities for children they can also be exposed to dangers while exploring the information super-highway. There are individuals who may attempt to sexually exploit children by gradually lowering their inhibitions. As the relationship continues the child may consider the person a “friend,” and won’t want to hurt their feelings or get them into trouble.  Something else we have to remember as parents is that it is not our children’s fault!!!!! It is never their fault.  Kids are curious by nature and they can sometimes be too trusting and gullible.
What are the signs that your child might be at risk online?
·    You find pornography on your child's computer.
·    Your child receives phone calls from adults you don't know or is making calls, sometimes long distance, to numbers you don't recognize.
·    Your child receives mail, gifts, or packages from someone you don't know.
·    Your child turns the computer monitor off or quickly changes the screen on the monitor when you come into the room.
·    Your child becomes withdrawn from the family.
·    Your child is using an online account belonging to someone else.
What should you do if you suspect your child is communicating with a sexual predator online?
·    Consider talking openly with your child about your suspicions.
·    Review what is on your child's computer. If you don't know how, ask a friend, co-worker, relative, or other knowledgeable person.
·    Call your Local Law Enforcement Agency.  DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING!
·    Telephone companies also offer a feature that rejects incoming calls that you block. Use this feature to prevent computer-sex offenders from calling your home.
·    Devices can be purchased that show telephone numbers that have been dialed from your home phone.
·    Monitor your child's access to all types of live electronic communications (i.e., chat rooms, instant messages, Internet Relay Chat, etc.), and monitor your child's e-mail.
What can you do to minimize the chances of an online exploiter victimizing your child?
1.    Communicate, and talk to your child about sexual victimization online danger.
2.    Spend time with your children online. Have them teach you about their favorite online destinations.
3.    Keep the computer in a common room in the house. It is much more difficult for a computer-sex offender to communicate with a child when the computer screen is visible to a parent or other members of the household.
4.    If the screen is suddenly minimized when you walk by, you have a right to know what was on that screen.
5.    Use parental controls provided by your service provider.
6.    Patrol the electronic chats. While chat rooms can be a great place for children to discuss various topics of interest, computer-sex offenders also prowl them.
7.    Always maintain access to your child's online account and randomly check his/her e-mail. Be aware that your child could be contacted through the mail as well as the cell phone.
8.    Teach your child the responsible use of the resources online.
9.    Find out what computer safeguards are utilized by your child's school, the public library, and at the homes of your child's friends.
10.    Understand, even if your child was a willing participant in any form of sexual exploitation that he/she is not at fault and is the victim.
Additional Safeguards
·    Instruct your children to never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they meet online.
·    Instruct your children to never upload (post) pictures of themselves onto the Internet or online service to people they do not personally know.  
·    Instruct your children to never give out identifying information such as their name, home address, school name, or telephone number.
·    Instruct your children to never download pictures from an unknown source, as there is a chance there could be sexually explicit images.
·    Instruct your children to never respond to messages or bulletin board postings that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, or harassing.
·    Instruct your children that whatever they are told online may or may not be true.
·    Children fill out online surveys providing too much information about themselves, family members and friends, speak to them about the dangers of surveys.  Predators gather information from surveys that can later be used to contact or find your child. 
·    Remind your child that nothing is 100% safe. Even if their website page is set to private. 
·    Never allow your child to have their own passwords and set various times for your child’s computer use. 

                                    Child Online Protection

Online Predator : one who uses cyber space to hunt human beings with the
intent to exploit, rob, plunder and pillage their body, mind, heart and soul.



Groom : to train for a particular purpose

• Methods a predator will use to gain your trust:
Friendship
Information
Common likes and dislikes
Compliments
Gifts
Show Love and Understanding
Secrecy – "Don't tell anyone you are talking to me" or "Make sure you delete our chats"

• Types of information a predator can use to gain your trust:
Age
Sex
Location
Comments
Photographs
School Name
Friends
Family problems
Hobbies











• Solutions :
Do not reveal yourself by placing too much information on your personal sites.


If you do not know someone in real life you cannot be 100% sure who that person is.


If you cannot be sure who the individual is, how can you know their intentions?
Set your personal page to private.


Use a neutral photograph as a default avatar.


There is no reason for an adult to talk to a child or teen if they are a stranger.


DO NOT delete anything!
Do not talk about family problems.


NEVER agree to meet anyone you have met online!
If you are solicited online, use the one weapon you have. YOUR VOICE - - - It is okay to speak up. It could save your life.


Add Law Enforcement to your friends list as a deterrent to online predators.


Educate your friends and family.


Confide in an adult you trust. A parent or other relative, a teacher, preacher, guidance counselor, or even your best friends parents.


Any information you would not give to a stranger in real life should be considered too much information.


You have the power to stop a predator.


Remember----- It is better to say something and be wrong than to say nothing and be right!
Be smart!

Child Online Protection

Is there something you always wondered about protecting yourself online, but didnt know the answer.  Is there a problem you dont know how to solve online? Is there anything you wanted to ask Law Enforcement?  Ask here.

There are two ways to participate.

1.) If you have a personal question you can message us and we will place it on the blog for you anonymously.   After all someone else could benefit from your situation as well.

2.) Ask here. Most Responses will come within 24 hours.

Please understand one thing. If there is a question that is asked that you feel will put yourself at risk in any way we will answer that question in private, but "generalize" the question in the blog.  Do not fear that we will identify you!