Cybertraps for Educators: Digest #2022-06-06

Frederick Lane -

Some Thoughts and Observations

As the immediate horror of the Uvalde shooting slowly begins to fade, an intense conversation is underway about what can be done to prevent such needless tragedies in the future. It is a vitally important conversation, given the fact that at least 33 other mass shootings have occurred in the United States since May 24. (The non-profit organization Gun Violence Archive keeps an ongoing tally. Read it and weep.)

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Looking for timely, compelling professional development for your district or school? Contact me at FSLane3@Cybertraps.com

One of the questions that most often arises, particularly after gun violence in schools, is whether there were warnings on social media that were ignored. In most cases, particularly if the shooter is a student, investigators do find disturbing images and posts. Many are explicit threats of violence and even more raise the kind of red flags which would merit further investigation.

In today's episode of The Cybertraps Podcast (TCP Episode 129), Jethro Jones and I will begin looking at a number of issues related to the monitoring of social media accounts, including:

  • Does it even work?
  • What are the impediments to effective monitoring of social media?
  • Should schools outsource this work or do it in-house?
  • What are the legal considerations, particularly with respect to free speech and student privacy?

In the headlines below, there are a few items of particular interest:

  • The State of New York has severed its ties with Illuminate Education following the company's massive data breach.
  • A first-grade teacher has become TikTok-famous for videos showing her preparations to keep her students safe.
  • The Metaverse continues to attract attention from K-12 educators, despite some potentially serious drawbacks.
  • A Minnesota educator was charged in a particularly complicated sextortion case involving video games, online chat, Snapchat, Grindr, and more.

The Cybertraps Podcast: Week of May 30, 2022

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TCP Episode 128 – When You're Curious, You're Learning, with Greg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski

“The Cybertraps Podcast” is recorded live most Mondays at noon Eastern. You can watch the broadcast of the show on the Cybertraps Facebook page.

To get notifications of newly-released episodes, subscribe to "The Cybertraps Podcast" on Apple Podcast or on your podcast player of preference.

We welcome show topic and guest suggestions. Please contact me at FSLane3@cybertraps.com to pass along any ideas.

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The Cybertraps Podcast is a production of The Center for Cyberethics, a 501(c)(3) independent, non-partisan educational institute dedicated to the study and promotion of cyberethics as a positive social force through research, curricula development, publishing and media, professional training, and public advocacy. Your donations help support The Cybertraps Podcast and this newsletter. Thank you.

Interesting C4E Headlines for the Week of May 30, 2022

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Cybertraps for Educators 2.0

Published in September 2020, this book is an invaluable tool for educating teachers and administrators about the risks arising from the use and misuse of digital devices. Each cautionary tale is linked to specific provisions of the Model Code of Ethics for Educators to help guide educators in the ethical use of technology. Contact the author to arrange bulk purchases.

Available in paperback or on Kindle.

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