A 16-year-old girl has been arrested for online harassment in Texas. A new law that went into effect September 1, 2009 criminalizes online harassment on social networking sites and through email or text messaging. If a person posts one or more messages on a social networking site with the intent to harm, defraud, intimidate or threaten another person, it is considered a third degree felony. Read the full story.
And in other teen news...
The FBI has released photos of a Massachusetts man who allegedly enticed dozens of teenage girls to perform sexual acts for him in front of their computer webcams, some of which he recorded and posted on the Web. Lawrence Joseph Silipigni, 41 was arrested and is expected to answer to federal child pornography charges today in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. The FBI announced yesterday some of the alleged victims “have not yet been identified.”
One alleged victim, a 13-year-old California girl, first made contact with Silipigni in December 2007, believing him to be a 17-year-old boy named “Jamie,” who became her “online boyfriend,” according to federal court records. After agreeing to perform for “Jamie” privately in a real-time chatroom, the girl later discovered a video of herself masturbating online. Another alleged victim, a 15-year-old Bay State girl, agreed to go to the movies with Silipigni in Worcester even after she learned his true identity.
On April 6, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Silipigni’s home and seized two computers. On those computers were found 103 porn videos of “unknown underage victims,” court records state. Silipigni’s screen names have included “Boston,” “Jamin,” “RJLarry” and “here4Sam.” His family declined comment. Silipigni has confessed to authorities. People who believe Silipigni preyed on them or their children are urged to call local police or the FBI’s Los Angeles Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (S.A.F.E.) Team at 310-477-6565.
Read the full story here.
Parents: Talk to your children about cyber safety! Here are 10 tips:
1. Explain risks to your teen and talk about the good and bad points of the Internet.
2. Keep the computer in an open area so you can supervise its use.
3. Limit the number of hours per day or week of online time.
4. Help your teen create an email name that is not sexually suggestive and does not identify him or her in any way.
5. Teach your teen NEVER to give out his or her name, password, home address, school address, telephone number, or individual or family pictures.
6. Tell your teen to let you know if someone sends a message that makes him or her feel uncomfortable.
7. Teach your teen to NEVER meet anyone in person that they have met online.
8. Spend time online with your teen. Ask him or her to teach you about the computer.
9. Check with your Internet Service Provider for information on how to block or filter inappropriate materials and report inappropriate conduct to your ISP.
10. COMMUNICATION IS KEY! Setting up guidelines and trust are crucial.
Parents, if you don't yet know about the need to protect your kids online, read these statistics and let NetLingo help you Get With The Program.
BBBG,
Erin
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