February 6, 2008, Yarmouth, Maine: Author and internationally recognized cyber crime expert, Jayne A. Hitchcock will present a program entitled The Wild, Wild Web: Staying Safe Online at North Yarmouth Academy (NYA) on February 21 and 22, 2008. In separate programs, Hitchcock will speak to NYA students, faculty and parents about topics such as cyberbullying, online predators and online social networking and communications.
For students, the program is designed to be an internet "Scared Straight" presentation, showing actual profiles of students at NYA who Hitchcock found to be publicly available. She will suggest ways to make changes to become safer online. The program will include a video, statistics, sample cases, tips on safe usernames, blogs, text messaging and much more.
For faculty, the program will include school-related sample cases, information on how to track down offenders and how to work with students being harassed online as well as information on blogs and online journals such as MySpace, and the dangers students can expect by putting up too much information on the web. The presentation for faculty will also include high-tech stalking techniques including keystroke loggers, spyware, camera cell phones and GPS and the importance of antivirus and firewall software.
Program Schedule
Thursday, February 21:
10:15 - 10:55 Meet with Upper School Students in the Gym
3:00 - 4:00 Meet with all NYA faculty in the Middle School Community Room
6:00 - 7:00 Meet with all NYA parents in the Middle School Community Room
1:05 - 2:00 Meet with Middle School Students in the Middle School Community Room
Hitchcock volunteers with the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime, the National Center for Victims of Crime, and numerous law enforcement agencies worldwide. She is a valued resource to these agencies in the solving of Internet related crimes. Additionally, she has worked tirelessly with legislators in the drafting and passing of many of this country's internet laws. As president of two all-volunteer organizations, WHOA (Working to Halt Online Abuse) at haltabuse.org and WHOA-KTD (Kids/Teens Division) at haltabusektd.org, Hitchcock continues a mission to educate adults and children in safety online. She has been featured on America's Most Wanted, 48 Hours, Primetime, Good Morning America, The Montel Williams Show, and numerous local, national and international newscasts and was selected by Lifetime TV as their "Champion For Change."
North Yarmouth Academy is an independent, college preparatory, coeducational day school serving students in grades 6 through 12. NYA is dedicated to fostering integrity, character and intellect in young adults.
For more information, please contact:
Kristi Belesca
Director of Community Development and Communications
North Yarmouth Academy
148 Main Street
Yarmouth, ME 04096
207-846-2380 ext. 9327
kbelesca@nya.org