Articles and Reports
Check out our new professional development resources and resource materials for teaching Internet safety here: Professional Resources
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Resources for School Leaders
School leaders face significant challenges in addressing issues related to cyberbullying and sexting. Many of these challenges are grounded in legal questions. Nancy's background is in both working with "at risk" youth and law, along with over 15 years in focusing on issues of youth risk online. The following documents are specifically focused on the issues of concern to school leaders and school legal counsel related to these issues. These documents are provided as an educational service--not legal guidance. Nancy is available to provide consulting services on these matters to school attorneys. Also Nancy can provide webinars on these issues for school leaders. Please contact us for more information.
School Response to Cyberbullying and Sexting: The Legal Challenges
Sexting Guidance for School Leaders
Cyberbullying Guidance for School Leaders
Recent Reports and Articles
Moral Development in the Information Age
This is an article I wrote in 1997 that I just found. This provides the theoretical basis for much of my work.
This document outlines examples of fear-based disinformation related to online sexual predators, outlines the actual research findings, and makes recommendations to ensure that Internet safety education does not undermine the necessary shift to 21st century education.
Multidisciplinary Targeted Youth Risk Online Prevention
This document outlines a multidisciplinary approach that states can take to address youth risk online.
Sexting & Youth: Achieving a Rational Approach
This new document outlines the phenomenon of sexting - sending nude sexy images or text. This document provides a review of the research, discussion of legal issues, and recommendations for legislation and effective investigation and intervention. A protocol for investigation and intervention is also provided.
There is No Constitutional Right to be a Cyberbully
This document provides a legal assessment of a recent District Court cyberbullying case from California, JC v. Beverly Hills. The conclusions in this case have been misreported. In accord with every decision where this question has been raised, the Court ruled that schools do have the authority to respond to off-campus online student speech. Unfortunately, the Court erroneously applied the Tinker legal standard to the fact situation. Well-reasoned guidance from the Third Circuit, including a case written by now Supreme Court Justice Alito, provides superior standards to guide school decision-making.
Joint Statement on the Megan Meier's Cyberbullying Prevention Act, HR 6123
Submitted to: The Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, Committee on The Judiciary, House of Representatives, September 30, 200
Research that is "Outdated and Inadequate?":
An Analysis of the Pennsylvania Child Predator Unit Arrests in Response to Attorney General Criticism of the Berkman Task Force Report
Why Age and Identity Verification Will Not Work - And is a Really Bad Idea
Digital Identification and Schools
Comprehensive Layered Approach to Address Digital Citizenship and Youth Risk Online
Cyberbullying
CSRUI documents related to cyberbullying are on another page.
Presentation Notes
Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens, Cyber-Secure Schools:
Presentation notes that address the range of Internet risks and concerns, influences on online behavior, and recommended strategies to address youth risk online and effectively manage the Internet in schools.
Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats:
Presentation notes on the concern of cyberbullying and cyberthreats, legal issues for schools, and comprehensive approach to address cyberbullying and cyberthreats in schools.
Information for Parents
Parent handbook – readable version
Parent handbook – reproducible version
These parent handbooks may be reproduced and distributed to parents for no charge.
Reports
A Briefing for Educators:
Online Social Networking Communities and Youth Risk
I Can’t See You – You Can’t See Me:
How the Use of Information and Communication Technologies can Impact Responsible Behavior
The Julie Amero Tragedy
This paper presents an analysis of the tragedy of the case of Julie Amero, a substitute teacher who was convicted of endangering minors.
Preventing Another Julie Amero Tragedy:
This document outlines how school districts can limit the potential of such incidents occurring through technnical protection and education, ensure that students and staff know how to effectively respond, and conduct a responsible investigation.
Education World
http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/columnists/willard/willard.shtml
A Web 2.0 Approach to Internet Safety:
Student use of Web 2.0 technologies is expanding, along with incredible opportunities for interactive educational activities -- and a host of risk and management concerns. All schools must develop an effective strategy to address the issue of online safety.
Prevention and Intervention:
It is necessary to consider the ability, authority, and responsibility of school officials when it comes to prevention of, and intervention in, cyberbullying in each of the locations where school related.
Sex and the Internet:
“Some significant misperceptions about online sexual predators must be addressed so we can get to the point of providing accurate guidance to address the real concerns,” says cyber safety expert Nancy Willard as she busts the myths and advises the vulnerable.
Malware and Porn Traps: What Schools Can Do:
In January 2007, substitute teacher Julie Amero was convicted of “impairing the morals of minors” for allegedly showing students online pornography. According to Nancy Willard, the same thing could happen to you. Learn how to prevent it.
What’s Not Working:
Before we can focus on effective strategies to address the issues involved in youth safety online, it’s important to reflect on the strategies that simply are not working.
Schools, the Internet, and Copyright Law:
Nancy Willard discusses the kinds of educational activities that risk copyright infringement and provides strategies for minimizing that risk.
Why Teens Make Unsafe Choices:
Nancy Willard explores some of the factors that are implicated in online decision making, which includes those factors that influence real-world decision making -- and a cyber-twist.
Youth Risk Online: Foundational Concerns:
Nancy Willard addresses some foundational concerns that cut across many online risks.
Youth Risk Online: An Overview:
In the first of a series of columns addressing youth risk online, cyber safety expert Nancy Willard provides an overview of the various aspects of that risk -- from plagiarism to poker to pornography.
School Library Journal
Flame Retardant
Cyberbullies torment their victims 24/7. Here’s how to stop the abuse
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6320009.html
(4/1/2006)
Stranger Danger? Online Safety
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6420413.html
(3/1/2007)
Education Week
Cyberbullying: What Educators need to Know to Stop Online Social Cruelty
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2006/04/05/30willard.h25.html
(4/5/2006)
Gale Schools
The "MySpace Phenomenon"
http://www.galeschools.com/article_archive/2006/03/myspace.htm
(3/2006)
Social Networking Technologies: Here to Stay and It’s Really Okay
http://www.galeschools.com/article_archive/2007/10/NancyWillard.htm
(10/2007)
EdtechLive
http://edtechlive.com/
Audio interview
http://audio.edtechlive.com/NancyWillard.mp3
These CSRIU documents are from before 2004, but are still relevant today
Philosophy and Approach
Supporting the Safe and Responsible Use of the Internet in School
Safe and Responsible Use of the Internet: A Guide for Educators
Filtering/Blocking Software Issue
Technology Planning
Privacy and Commercialism