Shawn Edgington’s Blog « Shawn Edgington: America's Leading Texpert & Cyberbullying Prevention Expert

Get Your Free Copy of Millionaire Messenger Today Only

February 17th, 2011

I just heard about this and you have to check it out.

Brendon Burchard, an author friend of mine and founder of Experts Academy, is giving away copies of his new book “The Millionaire Messenger.” I just ordered my free copy too – I just had to pay for the postage!

To get your free copy and some awesome bonuses, go to: https://burchardgroup.infusionsoft.com/go/mm/shawn/

The book doesn’t come out until March, but Brendon is giving away review copies to amp up the market, and get you to comment on Amazon. The Millionaire Messenger” is about how we can all make a difference and a fortune with our advice, expertise and how-to information.

Learn more about Brendon and his new book:

https://burchardgroup.infusionsoft.com/go/mm/shawn/

It’s not often that authors give away their books, which is why I had to send this out. Get your copy today, because after today, the offer is no longer valid.

Here’s what people are saying about the book:

“We all have a life story and a message that can inspire others to live a better life or run a better business. Brendon Burchard’s book proves it and shows how you can share your message to make a difference and also make an income. This book will help you change a lot of lives.”

—MARCI SHIMOFF, New York Times best-selling author of Happy for No Reason and Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul

“The expert industry has been shrouded in myth and mystery for far too long. Now Brendon Burchard, one of our most innovative and powerful leaders, reveals exactly how we—authors, speakers, coaches, consultants, seminar leaders and online information marketers—make a difference and earn an income with our advice and expertise. This is an industry defined by how much value we add to others’ lives, and this book delivers and shows exactly why Brendon is one of the best.”

—JACK CANFIELD, New York Times best-selling author of The Success Principles and originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series

“I love making a difference in the lives of millions of people worldwide. It gives my life a deep sense of meaning and purpose. I wish I had read Brendon Burchard’s new book, The Millionaire Messenger, twenty years ago, because it has many of the lessons that would have dramatically boosted my career, both in terms of impact and finances. Lessons I had to learn the hard way. No matter what your age, now is the time to make the biggest difference in the world. Brendon will show you how.”

“You were born to make a difference, to contribute and to share your gifts with the world. Brendon Bruchard shows you how to make a living (maybe a fortune!) by making a positive difference in people’s lives.”

—DARREN HARDY, Publisher of SUCCESS magazine, best-selling author of The Compound Effect and Living Your Best Year Ever

Tags: brendon burchard, experts academy, Facebook and Social Media, read between the lines, shawn edgington, The milionaire messenger, the parent's guide to texting
Posted in Information You Need to Know | No Comments »

What Will You Text Your Valentine?

February 11th, 2011

The day of Love is right around the corner, and what a better way to say I love you then a quick and Sweet Text Message! The best part is its FREE!!! Some of my favorite text abbreviations are:

1)      143 = I love you
2)      823 = Thinking of you
3)      <3 = Heart
4)      @-}—- = A Rose
5)      FIMH = Forever In My Heart

Remember, a sweet text can make someones day no matter what the occasion, but it’s especially thoughtful on days like V-Day! Its Quick, cute and thoughtful. Because we know that you’ve got a great Valentine’s Day Text to share, we’ve decided to have a “Best & Worst Valentines Day Text Message” contest. Submit your best or worst text message you’ve received on Valentines Day at www.digitalworld101.com under the “Contact Us” tab, and win an autographed copy of my book “Read Between the Lines!”

XOXO,
Shawn Edgington

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Shawn Marie Edgington is Americas leading “Texpert” and cyberbullying prevention expert. She’s the author of “Read Between the lines: A Humorous Guide to Texting with Simplicity and Style” and “The Parent’s Guide to Texting, Facebook and Social Media”, which is slated for release in March of 2011.

Shawn has been profiled in the upcoming documentary Submit: The Reality of Cyberbullying, Fox Business, Fox News Radio, in the San Francisco Chronicle, View From the Bay, KRON 4 News, NPR, CBS Radio, The Leslie Marshall Show, InfoTrak, The John Carney Show, Mom’s the Word, The San Diego Union, American Cheerleader Magazine, CNN Radio and dozens of radio stations around the country.

After a personal experience she had with her 16-year old daughter being threatened by text and on Facebook, she’s made it her mission to help parents “parent” around technology. Her solution? Shawn’s created The One-Click Safety Kit, a turnkey program that helps families defend against sexting, online predators, cyberbullies and textual harassment.

Tags: Happy Valentines Day, Love, read between the lines, shawn edgington, Sweet, Texting, Valentines Day
Posted in Texting | No Comments »

Documentary on Cyberbullying Films in California

February 8th, 2011

The film crew and the producer for the new documentary Submit: A Virtual Reality of Cyberbullying will be landing tomorrow in California to set up their film studio on location in my Pleasanton offices.

The Submit team is venturing out from Atlanta to the Bay Area to interview Pete Sarna the Oakland Unified School District Chief of Police about his new mobile messaging support system, a teen that had a personal experience with cyberbullying, and myself about the importance of becoming proactive about parenting around technology to avoid the dangers of online harassment.

I’ll also be discussing ways parents can take control of the wild wild web to help keep their children safe and secure while they’re online and using mobile devices. I’ll be sure to drop a few hints about my new book “The Parent’s Guide to Texting, Facebook and Social Media” due out March, 2011.

Check out the trailer for the film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e0vSzFViZk

Expected to be released in April of 2011, the producer’s goal is to showcase the documentary at various film festivals, and eventually take it to the big screen.

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Shawn has been profiled on Fox Business, Fox News Radio, in the San Francisco Chronicle, View From the Bay, KRON 4 News, NPR, CBS Radio, The Leslie Marshall Show, InfoTrak, The John Carney Show, Mom’s the Word, The San Diego Union, American Cheerleader Magazine, CNN Radio and dozens of radio stations around the country.

Tags: We are all Khaled Said
Posted in Cyberbullying | No Comments »

Facebook Plays a Major Role in Egyptian Protests

January 31st, 2011

Facebook is proving to be an asset in times of political unrest and mayhem for the thousands of Egyptians who have taken their battle to the streets last week in hopes to de-throne their 30-year-old government.

A Facebook page created by an anonymous activist has played a major role in the country’s protests, rallying thousands to Egyptian’s to rise up and fight against their President, Hosni Mubarak who is said to use torture against its people to stay in power.

The Egyptian government has repeatedly shut down access to the Internet over the past week, but the Facebook page created by an anonymous activist, “We are all Khaled Said” continues to stay active with over 36,500 fans as of January 31st, 2011 “We were tortured, humiliated and lived in injustice & poverty for 30 years despite our enormous resources” , and “Nothing justifies the continuation of this dictator” the activist wrote on the page’s wall earlier today.

According to the Facebook page, Khaled Said, a 28-year-old Egyptian from the coastal city of Alexandria, Egypt, was tortured to death at the hands of two police officers. Several eye witnesses described how Khalid was taken by the two policemen into the entrance of a residential building where he was brutally punched and kicked. The two policemen banged his head against the wall, the staircase and the entrance steps. Despite his calls for mercy and asking them why they are doing this to him, they continued their torture until he died according to many eye witnesses.

Khaled has become the symbol for many Egyptians who dream to see their country free of brutality, torture and ill treatment. Many young Egyptians are now fed up with the inhuman treatment they face on a daily basis in streets, police stations and everywhere. Egyptians want to see an end to all violence committed by any Egyptian Policeman. Egyptians are aspiring to the day when Egypt has its freedom and dignity back, the day when the current 30 years long emergency martial law ends and when Egyptians can freely elect their true representatives.

Did you ever think that Facebook’s technology and reach would help bring a government like Egypt’s to its knees?

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After a personal experience she had with her 16-year old daughter being threatened by text and on Facebook, she’s made it her mission to help parents “parent” around technology. Her solution? Shawn’s developed The One-Click Safety Kit, a turnkey program that helps families defend against sexting, online predators, cyberbullies and textual harassment.

https://www.shawnedgington.com

Tags: egyptian protests, Facebook, facebook activist, Facebook and Social Media, read between the lines, shawn edgington, shawn marie edgington, the parent's guide to texting, We are all Khaled Said
Posted in Facebook | No Comments »

Mobile Messaging Offers Student Support in Oakland California

January 21st, 2011

This week several schools in Oakland, California started a new “text-a-tip” program. The program allows students and community members to alert campus police directly about potential and dangerous problems with cell phone text messages using specialized technology from Guest Assist. If your child is ever caught in an emergency situation, text messaging is the technology you want them to have immediate access to. The technology associated with mobile messaging offers benefits to students and educators that phone calls can’t:

A way to instantly report critical and life threatening information anonymously
Concerned friends and parents have a way to report issues about drinking, drugs or violence
Harassment by bullies (including cyberbullies) can be reported without concerns of retaliation

Why don’t more schools offer this service? The cost runs about $2 per student on an annual basis. For a school with 3000 students, we are talking about $6,000 a year to offer mobile messaging support for our students. Kudos to Pete Sarna, the Chief of Police for Oakland Public Schools – serious forward thinking that will benefit everyone involved!

______________________________________________________________________________________________ Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Chief of Police, guest assist, Oakland Public Schools, oakland school disctrict, pete sarna, student support, text message assistance to students, text messaging on school campus
Posted in Technology, Texting, Texting on Campus | No Comments »

Will Your Child Be a Victim of Sextortion?

January 14th, 2011

Sextortion; a new term and a growing concern for parents to watch out for occurs when a person uses guilt, power, or knowledge of a certain secret, to force another person into providing sexually explicit photos, having sex or performing sexual favors.

Sextortion is one of the “crimes of choice” that Internet predators use to gain access into their targets personal life. Predators that practice sextortion pressure their victims to give them sexually explicit photos and/or favors in exchange for their secrecy of previously obtained private information or for a promise to hold off on future violent acts.

Predators generally target teens or young adults on social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace. Once they gain trust by pretending to be someone they aren’t, they ask for more: “If you don’t give me more of what I want (sexually explicit photos) or if you don’t meet me for sex, then I’m going to post the sexually explicit photo or information you’ve already given me to destroy your life.”

Take the sextortion case that occurred in the Milwaukee area with, an 18-year-old former New Berlin high school student who is serving 15 years in prison for sextortion. Anthony, an honor student, got more than 30 boys to send him naked photos of themselves …by posing as a female on Facebook. He then blackmailed several boys into sexual acts by threatening to share those pornographic images if they said “no.”

In 2010, there have been ongoing acts of sextortion occurring at universities across the country. A predator is preying on sorority pledges by first studying their Facebook profile and then approaches them using Facebook, pretending to be a sorority sister or an alum. The first communications seem harmless to unsuspecting freshman, yet are obvious attempts to gain trust. Subsequent Facebook chats and e-mails get creepy, with requests for naked pictures, followed by threats to reveal secrets and commit violent acts. The dozen or so victims to date attend southwest schools: University of Florida, Florida State University, Auburn University, University of Alabama and Louisiana State University. So far, several college students have actually provided their assailant with naked photos. Here’s an interesting stat:

Out of the people who report sharing nude photos of themselves to others online, almost a third of them have shared these photos with people they only know online … or with people they’ve never met face-to-face.

What’s important about sextortion is that parents should teach their children:

1. Not to trust anyone they don’t know online,

2. Keep their profile private, even after they turn 18-years-old

3. Make sure they report any online contact they’ve received from online strangers who are asking for personal and/or creepy information.

Most importantly, teens and young adults need to understand that when they take these types of photographs… or if they turn “on” their web camera for strangers, the person on the receiving end can easily record, and spread the information anywhere they choose.

Posted in Constant Connection to Technology, sex extortion, Sextortion, Technology, Texting | No Comments »

Constant Connection Needs a Break

December 30th, 2010

: Image via Wikipedia

Did you know that the average New Year’s resolution lasts 72 hours or less – about the same length of time a diet lasts? That means that on or about January 3, most people who made resolutions have forgotten or abandoned their plans for change. This year, I resolve to exceed the average (how hard can that be?) and keep my resolution of finding a healthy balance between personal sacred time and the constant demands of social media.

No matter who you are, it seems like time is the one thing we can’t get enough of. Whether you’re a student, a mother, a CEO, or Oprah, we all have the same amount of time: 24 hours in a day. Everyone seems to run into time constraints, no matter how efficient we are or how many gadgets we’ve purchased to help us stay “in tune” and “on track.” Now, thanks to the advancement of technology, most of us have the continuous demands of answering calls, text messages and e-mails, updating our Facebook and LinkedIn, and blogging or posting tweets. All of which seem to steal our valuable and irreplaceable personal time out from under us. How can we decide what to make a priority and what to let go for the sake of our own sanity?

But first, it’s time for me to be completely honest. I’m addicted to texting and e-mail, which is why I’ve made it my New Year’s resolution to end my ongoing battle of being constantly connected. I text all the time, and I have to respond to my texts the moment I hear my phone vibrate. I’ve even written books about mobile messaging, and all the amazing things (and not so amazing) that technology offers… who does that? When it comes to e-mail, I need to read them the second they arrive. Does my constant need to check my iPhone interrupt my personal time? Absolutely! Does it drive my husband crazy when I check my phone on Sunday mornings? He can’t stand it, and he’s the first person to tell me that I need therapy, if such a program exists.

One thing’s for sure. The demands of being constantly connected are never ending, and IF we don’t stop to smell the roses and start to “live in the moment,” we might all need to stage an intervention and check our loved ones (or ourselves) into Connective Addictive Therapy.

How can we take back our personal time? Do you remember the moment you lost it in the first place? For me, it started about five years ago when I got my first BlackBerry. In the snap of a finger, I could instantly get my e-mail, text messages and access the Internet – even when I was away from my office. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven! But after five plus years of being connected 24/7, I often feel like I’ve gone in the opposite direction.

So, I’ve done what most of us do during this time of year. I’ve examined my shortcomings and made it my New Year’s resolution to face my connective addiction. I’ve decided to send myself into social media rehab, and enter into the 5-step program that I’ve developed for people like me. If you feel like you are overly connected and ready to take back the time that you’ve stolen from yourself, here’s how the program works:

1. Put away your cell phone while you are with others, at work or driving (I keep mine in my handbag so it’s completely out of sight)

2. Look at your phone no more than five times a day (unless you’re expecting an important call or a message) Once you’ve answered your messages, return it back to where it was.

3. Limit your social networking time to no more than two sites, and to the amount of time that is right for your personal and professional objectives.

4. On weekends and vacation time, limit your “constant connectivity” to urgencies and emergencies, so you can really enjoy the ones you choose to spend your personal time with. And don’t forget about “me” time.

5. Schedule more quality time away from technology driven activities.

We all know it’s impossible (and unhealthy) to spend all of our time staring at our cell phones, iPads and computers AND preserve a healthy balance with our personal sacred time. Yes, 2011 is upon us, so get with setting realistic goals, work hard to achieve them, and realize those changes you desire. This may sound like a difficult undertaking, but if it was easy, we wouldn’t have this problem to begin with AND I wouldn’t be writing this blog.

Shawn Edgington is America’s leading “Texpert”, cyberbullying expert and the CEO of a National Insurance firm. She’s the author of Read Between the Lines and The Parent’s Guide to Texting, Facebook and Social Media, slated for release in January 2011. Shawn’s been profiled on Fox Business, Fox News Radio, in the San Francisco Chronicle, View from the Bay, NPR, CBS Radio, and dozens of media outlets around the country. Visit her at: www.digitalworld101.com.

Posted in Constant Connection to Technology | No Comments »

Mobile Communication Offers Additional Student Support

December 14th, 2010

In November of 2009, Pottsgrove High School located in Pottstown, PA, experienced the tragic deaths of two students in an automobile accident. The social and emotional impact of these sudden deaths, and the subsequent conversations with students, led the administration to seek novel ways to offer support to students and their friends who are experiencing barriers to learning, such as drug, alcohol or mental health issues.

The High School principal had seen a video showcasing a preventative tool employed by stadiums, which encouraged fans to text in to a central command for assistance with crowd control or unruly behavior. In light of recent events, he began to think of its application in education and in specifically addressing the needs of our school. The company (http://www.guestassist.net/) delivers mobile phone-based communications that allow an enterprise, such as a school, to interact with their students.

: Image via Wikipedia

While cell phones use in class is against their school policy, a “technology zone” was established in the cafeteria where students are permitted to use their phones during lunch. With the implementation of this system, a cutting-edge technology commonly utilized on college campuses, students have communicated via text to the operators (school administration and a few select teachers) about bullying, various concerns about their friends, and knowledge of drug use. Signs and video news bulletins have been circulating through this particular high school with the following message:

CONCERNED? Text “Falcons” and your concern to 78247

Students are encouraged to text message concerns relating to bullying, possible drug and alcohol abuse, self-injury, and other topics that may hinder student learning. All text messages are filtered into a website that is consistently monitored by trained teachers and administrators. Students receive a message in return thanking them for their concern, asking for more specific details, or in cases deemed urgent, asked to report to an administrator or counselor for support. Incoming information is then passed on to school personnel who can best provide assistance to the student.

In the first month of operation, the Falcon Assist has provided supports to at least a dozen students. It’s great to see that students care and have concern for their peers!

The school is now asking for our parents to help provide support to their students by utilizing the text messaging service. “If you feel your son/daughter or their friends are in need of assistance, then please text “Falcons” and your concern to 78247.”

The system is simple yet powerful, as it allows for anonymous communication, has a web-based control system for easy access and the ability to tag conversations for future reports based on type of concern or issue.

I’m looking forward to my interview this Thursday with Chris Schaffer, the principal of Pottsgrove High School, who is the genius behind the system’s implementation.

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Tags: Education, Facebook, Harassment, High school, Mobile phone, Pottsgrove High School, Student, Text messaging
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

911 Text Alerts Kept University of Texas Students Safe

September 29th, 2010

A 19 year old sophomore at the University of Texas opened fire Tuesday while running through the Austin campus using an AK-47, then eventually killed himself.

No one else was shot, and most of the credit for a low body count is going to the university’s crisis-management plan.

As part of this plan, the schools text messaging system reached out to more than 43,000 people, warning students, faculty and staff to stay away from the area the gunman was holed up. The text also advised students to remain indoors.

Here’s a few important questions to ask:

Does your child’s elementary, middle, high school or university have an emergency text messaging system in place? Services such as Mobile Campus provides real-time emergency alerts for schools across the country.
Are you and your family members listed on the text recipient list?
If your child’s school has yet to implement an emergency text messaging system, when is planned to be implemented?

An emergency text messaging system is one instance on how text technology can save lives. It’s also clear that every school should have a system in place exactly like the University of Texas has implemented.

Since almost everyone carries their cell phones, sending emergency messages by text is the perfect solution for emergency and life threatening situations.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Facebook: What Every Parent Needs to Know

September 9th, 2010

Facebook has become the “must-have” social networking account most pre-teens yearn for, teenagers live by, and many adults love.

When you hear “Mom, can I have a Facebook account?” you shouldn’t be shocked. Some parents struggle with the answer, especially when it comes to their 13- or 14-year old child who can’t wait to set up their profile, friend their friends, post their favorite pictures, and update their status.

Only a parent knows their child well enough to decide if their teen is ready and mature enough to handle the responsibility that goes along with having a Facebook account. Remember, Facebook is a mode of communication that has the capability to reach the entire world. If you decide to say “yes”, here are eight rules you should consider implementing before granting access:

• No foul language

• No inappropriate photos

• Only accept friend requests from people they know

• Teach your kids how to use the “Block” feature to stop abusive behavior

• Communicate and educate your teens about Internet Safety

• Monitor their pages, and let them know you’re doing so

• Review their privacy settings with them (‘Private’ is highly recommended)

• Make it clear you’ll need 24/7 access to their account (obtain user/password information)

Keep in mind that only confirmed friends can post to your teen’s Wall or contact your teen via Facebook, so if you’re worried that someone will make inappropriate posts or send offensive messages, you only have to worry about those type of messages coming from friends that your child confirmed.

I refer to them as frenemies.

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