Poll Shows Most Schools Have Cyberbullying Policy

67.5% of poll respondents, in a recent poll by SmartBrief on EdTech, reported that their school or district has a specific policy regarding cyberbullying, and about 65% say that policy covers online communication that occurs on- and off-campus. Do you know where your school or district stands on the issue? Find out before your child has an issue.

Fear Can Fuel Facebook Addiction

Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks are particularly addictive for people who experience an intense "fear of missing out," researchers say. The urge to see what one's friends are up to can lead such people to neglect or undervalue their own lives and interests, lead researcher Andy Przybylski says. "We have to learn new skills to control our usage and enjoy social media in moderation. Until we do, it creates a double-edged sword aspect to social media," he says.

Microsoft Offers New Consumer Privacy Tool

Microsoft recently launched a new online service, called Your Privacy Type, to help consumers assess their online privacy exposure. The free tool requires you to take a brief quiz. Microsoft uses your answers to categorize how much you may, or may not, be concerned about online privacy. The supporting website supplies guidance on how to more more proactive in protecting your privacy. I took the quiz and, at the end, found all the things they suggested might have been helpful if I was a Windows user, but since I am not, the suggestions really weren’t all that helpful except to remind me that I need to be more active in protecting myself online.

Wi-Fi Routers Found Vulnerable to Hacking

A baker's dozen of Wi-Fi routers used in homes and small businesses were found to be easily vulnerable to hackers, according to Independent Security Evaluators, an IT security consulting firm. Another problem, the study says, is that the solution is probably out of consumers’ hands because it is up to those who manufacture routers to become more cognizant of the problem and add in more safeguards. You have to wonder if that also means that setting up a router is going to become more complicated as well.

Advertisers and Developers Ask for Delay of Revised COPPA

Privacy groups recently asked Federal Trade Commission chairman Edith Ramirez not to delay the implementation of new child privacy data laws under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The new rules, which tighten online protections for children, are scheduled to go into effect July 1. Application developers and advertisers recently asked the agency to consider delayed enforcement until January 2014 to give app makers time to comply with the stricter rules which, they say, need clarification.

15 Social Media Scams

Take a look at this slide show about some of the most popular social media scams that range from Facebook phishing lures to Twitter and Tumblr hoaxes.  You may be amazed at how many of these seem terribly familiar and it is a quick way to get yourself up-to-date on what to look out for as well as a good way to run this info by your family.

Two Step Security Coming From Twitter

We have written before about companies like Apple and Google adding two-step verification for their web services. Now, Twitter reportedly is preparing to roll out a two-step security system that will make it markedly harder for hackers to hijack users' accounts. The system will likely require that users who log in from unfamiliar devices enter not just a password, but also a randomly generated code sent by Twitter to a known device, such as a registered phone.

Facebook Developing Online Safety Campaign

With the loss of media attention being paid to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) because of potential plans to strengthen it, Facebook is collaborating with the National Association of Attorneys General on an online-safety campaign intended to help teens and their parents manage their privacy and visibility on Facebook and the Internet. The partnership will produce 19 state-specific public-service announcements (with potentially more), starring Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg and the states' attorneys general. "Teenagers and adults should know there are tools to help protect their online privacy when they go on Facebook and other digital platforms," said Douglas Gansler, Maryland attorney general.

How Social Media Can Behave After a Crisis

There is lots of evidence that social media provided comfort and information after the Boston bombing and the media noted that online chatter was notable for being more restrained, and generally more accurate, than what was seen after the school shootings in Newtown, Conn., in December. A Boston Globe editorial comments that  "Many tweets, for instance, were careful to cite specific sources or to assure readers of multiple confirmations. It seemed that, for one day, being first had taken a backseat to being right." While not flawless, there were rumors of higher causality figures and pending arrests; still, there is hope that social media might yet come of age.

Is The IRS Looking at Your Social Media Account?

While the IRS is denying that it will be checking out what you post online, there is some speculation that the IRS might be interested in seeing if what you post is consistent with the kinds of deductions you take. Since no warrant is needed to look at online postings, it would make sense that, as is happening with other branches of law enforcement, your social media postings could be subject to scrutiny by the IRS as well.