JEC Middle School hosted a cyber safety workshop run by JFS of Central New Jersey for their students on Wednesday, November 1. The information presented by the JFS speakers concerning being safe online that had the most impact on students were as follows:

Whatever goes on the Internet stays on the internet—forever. If a student posts sensitive material on the internet, or its apps, it may be used against them now, when applying to college, applying for a job or at any other time.

Online bullying was another prevalent and effective topic. The theme veered more to the victims of bullying than to the bullies. This is important because methods of avoiding being bullied online are urgently needed. Speaking out is at the top of the list for both the prevention of, and dealing with, bullying. This was made powerfully clear in the presentation. Talking to anyone—a teacher, a parent, a police officer—about being bullied, or otherwise being made to feel uncomfortable, is one of the first steps toward eliminating bullying.

The third point made most clearly by the speakers that students absorbed is that there are no secrets on the internet. Privacy does not exist on the internet, and therefore you should never write or post anything you would not want to see as a headline on the news.