Q&A with Elena, LMK Teen Editor

Q: Why is the online safety initiative important?

A: A computer, the internet, and a teenager tend to go hand-in-hand these days. Internet and safety, unfortunately, aren't as readily connected. As a result, many teenagers who go on the internet are either unaware of the dangers of the internet, or they don't know what to do when posed with these dangers. I think it is important to do whatever we can do to make sure that the internet is not abused.

Q: How much time do you spend on social networking sites every day?

A: The time I spend on the computer varies depending on my plans and commitments. Lately, however, I tend to get on the computer two to three hours a week, although I'd like to be on longer.

Q: Have you (or a friend) ever had an experience of cyberbullying, internet sexual predators or other cybersafety issues?

A: While I was on one of my 'daily' sites, I was exchanging messages with the friend of a friend. After only a few posts, the person I was messaging with became verbally abusive. I immediately stopped going to the page where the discussion took place and blocked that person from contacting me. Looking back on the incident I'm about to describe, I wonder why I let it go on as long as it did. I know that if something similar happens again, I will end it sooner.

Before the previous incident, I received a private message from a user I wasn't familiar with. In the message, they said that they lived in Redlands, Calif. and that a friend of mine had told them that I also, lived there. I don't, but rather than telling this person that, I asked which of my friends had told them that. The person replied saying that they wouldn't feel comfortable saying who it was, only that it was a friend of mine. I then pointed out that, if this person were my friend, they wouldn't mind if I was told who they were since I already knew them. This exchange continued for roughly 20 more private messages over an hour or so. In the course of this conversation, the person changed their story from a friend who told them about me, to an acquaintance, to someone who used to be, but no longer is, my friend. By this time, I had no more patience for the person, and told them to stop contacting me. I then signed off. The next time I went on, I had received a new message from the same person, saying that all of the bad things that my former 'friend' had said about me were true. I repeated to the person that I didn't want them contacting me anymore, and went on with my usual activities. Later on, I received yet another message from this same person saying how mean I was being. Rather than replying, I blocked the user.

Q: What would you like to see this initiative achieve for adults? For girls?

A: For adults, I hope that they will have a better understanding of the internet, and the internet activities of their daughters. As a result, parents will have a renewed interest in the social networks of their daughters, not just on the internet, but in all aspects of their lives. For girls, I hope the initiative will dramatically reduce the risks associated with the internet. I also hope that it will make it easier for girls to openly discuss their internet experiences, good and bad, with their parents.