Everyone can stay safe online and in their use of mobile
technology: kids, parents, other adults and seniors. There are enormous
benefits that come from the use of the internet and mobile technology but, like
all great tools -- like cars, stoves, kitchen knives -- you need to use them
safely. While we can never eliminate ALL
risk, you can manage risk and greatly reduce the chances of things going wrong.
Popular Among Every Age Group: Adults
The internet is popular among every age group, including
adults, most of whom, as you can see go online on a daily basis. About a
quarter of us are online “almost constantly” and that number goes up to nearly
40% among younger adults.
Popular Among Every Age Group: Children & Teens
Teens are especially active when it comes to mobile
technology now that 95% have access to a smartphone with nearly half saying
they are online “almost constantly.”
Popular Among Every Age Group: Seniors (65+)
Two in three online seniors say technology has had a
positive effect on their lives. Many online seniors report they use social media and
navigation apps, and shop online. Fewer online seniors use the internet for health-related
services or grocery delivery, but may express interest in doing so.
It’s More about Behavior than Technology
We often hear news reports about so-called dangerous apps
and services. And while some app developers are better than others when it
comes to designing-in safety, privacy and security, it’s important to remind
users that how we behave online makes matters most. No matter how good the
privacy tools may be, we can still get trouble if we share information that
should kept private, fail to use secure passwords or treat people meanly on the
service. Staying safe is a partnership between the app developers and the
users. But at the end of day, it’s how we use the services that matter the
most.
Cyberbullying & Harassment
Cyberbullying is bullying which takes place on a device and
can result in hurt feelings, depression and anxiety. And unlike bullying,
cyberbully can follow you around 24/7. Bullying, whether cyber or otherwise, is defined as
aggressive and repeated with an imbalance of power at Stopbullying.gov, the
official U.S. government anti-bullying site.
The good news is that most kids don’t cyberbully and most
kids haven’t been victimized. The Cyberbullying Research Center estimates that
about 21% of teens have been cyberbullied and about 13% admitted to
cyberbullying others at some point in their lifetimes.
Reputation & Inappropriate Posting
How you treat others online says more about you than it does
about them. And one of the many reasons to be nice online is to protect your
own reputation. So remember these few takeaways while online:
• Being
mean to others harms YOUR reputation
• Spirited
debate is fine, but keep it civil
• What you
post now could affect you later
There
is no Safe Sexing
Sexting is not inherently dangerous,
but it does come with serval risks. Some people exchange intimate images as an
expression of affection, but it can cause harm, especially if the images are
distributed beyond the intended target. The safest way to avoid abuse is not to allow such images to be
taken in the first place.
Scams
& Financial Risks
Scams can affect anyone and they are sometimes difficult to
detect. Often they come in the form of an email, a “phishing” attacks where the
message appears to come from your bank or other trusted source but is really an
imposter. Sometime they come by phone -- a call from “Microsoft”
saying your computer is infected or the IRS saying you owe money. Sometimes you find them on social media -- a message from a
“friend” who is in distress and needs emergency funds. Other times you’ll see
them on the web. The best advice is to not provide any information or
funds to anyone unless you are absolutely certain of who they are and that they
are legitimate.
Reminders:
- Don’t
click on links in email “from your bank.” Type in the actually web address
or call or visit the bank to see if it’s legitimate
- Always
look carefully at the web address of any site before logging in or
providing any information, including financial information.
- Be extremely cautious of anyone who calls you on the phone to demand money or tell you that your device is infected with malware.
Security
Risks
Use strong passwords and hard to guess PINs on all your
devices. Use 2-factor authentication where possible
(ConnectSafely.org/passwords).
Comcast launched Internet Essentials, a program designed
to help close the digital divide. They have worked with thousands of partners
across the nation to get students and their families connect to the Internet at
home, improving students' ability to do research, write papers and collaborate
with classmates. Internet Essentials is the nation’s largest, most
comprehensive, and most successful high-speed Internet adoption program for
low-income households. Since launching in 2011, we’ve made dozens of
improvements to the program, including 12 eligibility expansions—bringing
Internet Essentials to new audiences such as public housing residents,
low-income veterans, seniors, community college students, and new this year, to
all qualified low-income households living in Comcast’s service area. We
estimate this expansion, the largest we’ve ever made, doubles the number of
Internet Essentials eligible households and benefits millions of newly-eligible
people, including those with disabilities and new parents, along with even more
seniors and adults without children at home.
Internet Essentials is uniquely designed to address the
three major barriers to broadband adoption—digital literacy and relevance,
computer equipment, and cost—and relies on a network of tens of thousands of
partners to help communities cross the digital divide.
PROGRAM
ELIGIBILITY
Now available to low-income households eligible for
public assistance programs such as Medicaid, the National School Lunch Program, SNAP, HUD Housing
Assistance, and others. Additionally, households must live in Comcast’s service
area, not be a current Comcast Internet customer, and not have outstanding debt
to Comcast that is less than one year old.
While participating in Internet Essentials, students and
their families receive:
- Fast home Internet for just $9.95 a month plus tax.
- No price increases, no activation fees and no equipment rental fees.
-A low-cost computer available at initial enrollment for just $149.99 plus tax.
- Access to free Internet training in English and Spanish - online, in print and in person.
About Vennmedia: ANME
Vennmedia: ANME is an organization that supports the
mission and programs of economic, educational and community development through
career training, continuing education, internships, youth programs, fundraising
initiatives, and community outreach efforts, helping raise the community
resources it needs to make a difference for the most vulnerable members of our
communities.
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