safety in online volunteering programs
discouraging inappropriate online activities among youth
One of the fears sometimes expressed by volunteer managers regarding involving youth volunteers, or regarding bringing together online adult volunteers and youth online, is that the youth will encounter "inappropriate" behavior or information online, and that the manager will be held responsible for this encounter.
Online safety in virtual volunteering programs focuses primarily on preventing young people from encountering materials that would be illegal for them to access in printed form, and on protecting them from people who might exploit them. These online safety precautions are easy to implement, easy to manage, and have excellent success rates in protecting participants.
"Inappropriate" materials or conversations, however, are not illegal but are something the youth's parents or teacher would view as inappropriate and, even, destructive. The materials found on web sites by "hate" groups are good examples of what most people would identify as inappropriate web sites for young people. But every person has their own definition of what "inappropriate" information is on the Internet, and this can present a dilemma for volunteer managers.
It is agreed by most everyone throughout the political spectrum that government-sponsored censorship activities are not the answer to keeping kids away from inappropriate material, however one defines such. Filtering software is controversial and, often, ineffective: it may work temporarily for young children, but it can be bypassed by teenagers creative enough to understand the application, and often such software often excludes web sites arbitrarily.
The Virtual Volunteering Project suggests, instead, that parents and teachers become active participants in their children's/student's Internet exploration. Ask questions that foster open discussions about what youth are encountering on the Internet.
Some of the Anti-Defamation League's suggestions to discourage kids from pursuing inappropriate materials online, adapted here for parents, teachers and service leaders and combined with our own, include:
- Teachers and volunteer managers should encourage parents to show an interest in their children's online activities. Encourage parents to ask their children what they are seeing online, at school or at home, and encourage parents to visit sites with their children. Teachers and volunteer managers should do the same with youth in their charge.
- Let children/students know that you recognize and appreciate their individual, unique qualities. Children who feel good about themselves are less likely to be prejudiced, and less likely look for acceptance and inclusion from a group that a parent would find inappropriate. Also, notice unique and special qualities in other people and discuss them with children/students.
- Encourage children/students to explore opportunities for interaction with people of diverse groups. Studies show that children playing and working together toward common goals develop positive attitudes about one another. Sports teams, bands, school clubs and community programs are examples of activities that can help to counter negative feelings about people's differences. In addition to firsthand experiences, provide opportunities for children to learn about people through books, television programs, concerts or other programs that show positive insights into other cultures.
- Help children/students recognize instances of stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination. Make sure they know how to respond to such attitudes and behaviors when they see them in action. Television news and entertainment shows, movies and newspapers can provide opportunities for discussion. According to recent studies, encouraging children's critical thinking ability may be the best antidote to prejudice.
- Talk to children/students about how they can respond to prejudiced thinking or acts of discrimination they observe. Confronting classmates is particularly hard for children, so they need to have a ready made response to such instances. If a peer is called a hurtful name, youth should know they may simply say, "Don't call him/her that. Call him/her by his/her name." Or, if your child/student is the victim, "Don't call me that. That's not fair." or "You don't like to be called bad names and neither do I." In all cases, try to help the youth to feel comfortable in pointing out unfairness.
- Take appropriate action against prejudice and discrimination. For example, if other adults use bigoted language around you or your children/students, do not ignore it. Children/students need to know that such behavior is unacceptable. A simple phrase will do: "Please don't talk that way around me or my children/students." Or "That kind of joke offends me." Adults need to hold themselves to the same standards they want their children/students to follow.
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Help Your Children Safely Navigate the Internet
and
Introduction for Parents' Guide to Hate on the Internet
excellent, helpful set of materials, both produced by the Anti-Defamation League.
Responding to Extremist Speech Online:
10 Frequently Asked Questions
A resource for parents to help them talk to their kids about "hate" sites and to help kids respond to extremist speech online (and off).
Tools For Teachers to Combat Hate
Lesson plans, teaching tips, and resources for teachers and communities.
Chatting Online: Online Hatred
What to do when you run across someone spouting hatred in an About.com chatroom -- most of this material is applicable to any online encounter.
Challenging Hate Online
Informative jump point on: Reporting Hate on the Internet, Combating Hate on the Internet, Youth Challenging Hate on the Internet, and Ten Ways to Fight Hate: A Community Response Guide to Hate Crimes and Hate Groups. Produced by the Media Awareness Network, who also produce
Talking to Young People About Hate