Nettie and Webster build kids' NetSmartz

Rape Response Services educate

kids about online threats

By Katy England
edge staff writer
kengland@themaineedge.com

BANGOR " These days it seems that kids are more tech-savvy than their parents but there are hidden dangers online that children aren't able to cope with. Online predators are a terrifying problem for parents, but they might not know how to talk with their kids or know enough about the internet to be able to prevent their children from running into danger.

That's where Angel Matson, NetSmartz and local schools all come into play. Angel Matson works at the Rape Response Services in Bangor and visits area schools to engage young kids about the dangers on the internet by speaking their language and using interactive computer characters.

"It starts the really good discussion that people aren't always who they say they are," said Matson. "Teachers love it. Kids who wouldn't typically be attentive are paying attention and getting something out of [the presentation]."

Kids grades three through six meet Nettie and Webster, who introduce children to the "Wizzy Wigs," online scoundrels such as "Follow-me Fiona," "The Hothead," "The Numbutt," "The Oogle," and "The Spamozoid." These characters send inappropriate e-mail, spend all of their free time online, try to get personal information or meet kids in person. The presentation includes some of the behaviors kids need to be on the lookout for and encourages them to be aware that no matter how nice someone seems they shouldn't be considered a friend.

Matson said she also includes sections on cyber-bullying and how to avoid being a victim or perpetrator of bullying.

Younger kids also have a presentation geared for them, with spokes-robot "Clicky."

"This is new for parents " even thinking about Internet safety for kids K-2," said Kim Roberts Few, executive director of Rape Response Services.

The presentation is fun and interactive and opens a door for parents to talk to their kids about these dangers.

"I tell them that you don't want to be remembered as that person," she said. "I'm fully aware that we're talking to the bullies in the room just as much as we're talking to the victim of bullies."

A 2005 study by The George Washington University showed that 54 percent of students between the ages of nine and 14 were unsure or believed it was safe to meet a person they had been chatting with for a long time compared to 83 percent saying it was not safe to meet someone in person after the NetSmartz seminar. 25 percent were unsure or thought it was safe to post their picture online, compared to the post-result of 96 percent saying it was not okay to post their picture on the Internet. Before NetSmartz, 20 percent of kids said they had told people their real name, as opposed to 98 percent saying it was not safe to post their name after the seminar.

This presentation is free to the schools and is a great way to open the doors to talking to kids about Internet danger. For more information about this presentation call 941-2980 or visit www.netsmartz.org.