Posts Tagged ‘the parent’s guide to texting’

Sextortion: The Newest Internet Ugly

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

What I’m referring to is sextortion:  sexual blackmail of children and teens online just like you.  Because most teens are extremely trusting, especially when it comes to social networks, you’re an easy target, which makes this an even more difficult trend to stomach.                                                                                                                        

Here’s how sextortion works: Online predators, ex-boyfriends or frenemies get a hold of inappropriate photos or videos of you by way of email, text, hacking, social networks or chatrooms, and then threaten complete humiliation if they don’t get what they ask you for.  These criminals threaten they will post or send the inappropriate content to your parents, friends, family, teachers, coaches or bosses, make demands for money, or even threats of physical harm.  SCARRY!

Sextortionists are experts at getting what they want, knowing that teens will be too afraid to tell anyone what’s happening to them, especially their parents, leaving them in the driver’s seat to get exactly they want. Children and teenagers just like you can quickly become trapped in a silent cycle of online sexual exploitation, every parent’s worst nightmare.

From experience, we already know that every teen is vulnerable to the online “ugly” side of the Internet, which comes with being constantly connected.  As an adult and a cyber safety expert, it’s my responsibility to speak openly about what to do should you ever become a victim.

It’s important for you to:

  • Get informed, ignorance isn’t bliss. Understand what sextortion is, and promise yourself that you’ll go to your parents should you ever become the target of a sextortionist – NO MATTER WHAT.
  • Set all security and privacy settings to private & set alerts. Keep all of your profiles on social networks private, even after you turn 18-years-old.  Creeps never get tired of trying, especially when they can hide behind a fake profile on a social network.  Set a Google Alerts for your name, which will let you know the instant something terrible or embarrassing tagged with your name gets posted online.
  • Messages, photos or videos you send by text are never private. They have the ability to be saved, edited, forwarded, posted onto Facebook or uploaded to YouTube in the matter of seconds, where they sit perfectly poised for Sextortionists to use against you.
  • Don’t trust people online you don’t know! Never trust anyone online you don’t know in real life, and to always report any contact you’ve received from strangers to a trusted adult.
  • Don’t text anything you wouldn’t want your mom to see. I often hear stories from teenage girls about the sexy photo that was sent without a single thought of where it might end up.  And sure enough, the photo was inevitably forwarded out to friends, strangers, predators, parents and teachers for people to pass judgment on and potentially use against them.
  • Be aware. Criminals, online predators and backstabbers can use your private pictures against you.  If you think your sext is only going to be seen by your intended recipient, think again. Once it’s out there, it’s out there for everyone to see.  It’s no fun to be embarrassed or belittled, threatened, or coerced online – especially by those you know, let alone those you don’t.


It’s a fact that social media has become the focal point of your life, and it’s time that we adults face it.  Sextortion is not only the newest Internet “ugly,” but it’s a trend that requires all teens to take seriously, and become aware that Sextortionist experts are out they looking for teens and young children to prey on.

Remember, promises get broken, boyfriends become ex’s, and friends become frenemies. Unfortunately it’s the reality that you live in today, so be careful with who you trust, and don’t record or send anything that can come back to bite you.

The Sugary Sins of Social Media

Friday, July 1st, 2011

The buzzing’s of social media harmonize through symphonic typings of text messages, late night tweets, and clattering clicks on red notification tabs. This technologic tune hacks into Facebook bars, and regenerates the Twitter-sphere’s teasing and toxic rotation. Teenagers dance along to the beat of stumping statuses, and become pleasurably distracted by streaming entertainment. The zooming gushes of high speed access, and innovative inventions have charged the social media’s powerhouse, ultimately creating an empire that reigns supreme and unsurpassed.

Over 350 million users spend twenty minutes navigating Zuckerberg’s social networking site daily. 25 million of his Facebook fans engage in polyamorous relationships with Twitter, Tumblr, and Myspace for an additional 2,400 seconds throughout the duration of the week. This savvy time sinker is primarily booming due to its accommodating convenience.  There are more than 180 mobile operators in 60 different countries that promote social networking products, including downloadable apps.

Leaving teenagers free to suppress their superficial needs, while becoming professional prowlers of the World Wide Web can be cause for concern. Although social media has proven to be reliable in terms of defeating chronic boredom, blogging, chatting, instant messaging, texting, emailing, surfing, and streaming are temporary fixers that often result in the sabotage of daily responsibilities.

 “Facebook and texting help me feel connected with my friends. Without using it, I feel like I’m estranged from the world. It’s like withdrawal from a medication.” For some, keeping in touch with friends outside of school provides a sense of internal security, and exterior connection.  The use of Social Media sites create opportunities for unlimited interactions with peers, contrived self disclosure, dissemination of information, provocation with others, and indirect contact through third parties due to generalized postings. In severe cases, excessively accessing social networking sites will result in mental counseling from a psychiatrist. Dealing with an addiction primarily based on compulsivity can be swiped out with mental health consultations. At first, codependency on inter-web connection may seem harmless, but when mood alterations occur, and distressed demeanors become apparent without the accession of social sites, seeking professional help is ideal.

Positively speaking, Internet use has been reliable and sufficient for those who manage it with responsibility and caution. When the privilege is neglected and abused, havoc will follow closely behind. For those who can monitor their daily use on social networking sites, the outcome will most likely shine in a positive light due to self disciplined actions. If losing track of time is an issue, constrain the limits, and lay off the added hours. Productive procrastination is not advised or acceptable when putting work before play. Therefore, log off of Facebook, shut down the phone, and take care of tomorrows tasks. Addictions can easily rob seconds on the clock, and runaway with your sanity. Please be aware, and access with caution.


Written by Intern for Shawn Edgington: Elyse Hill is a 17-year-old aspiring fashion journalist who resides in the Lone Star State. When she isn’t writing, reading Teen Vogue Magazine, working at Ralph Lauren, and spending quality time with her family consume the remains of her day.


Get Your Free Copy of Millionaire Messenger Today Only

Thursday, 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

Facebook Plays a Major Role in Egyptian Protests

Monday, 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?

____________________________________________________________________________________________

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 February of 2011. 

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.

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