Last year, I met Lynette T. Owens, the director of Trend Micro Internet Safety for Kids & Family, at a super cool event in New York City’s super trendy Meatpacking District. It was late evening and we were all exhausted from a grueling day of work, so it was delightful to sit down in a dark, loungey room with Lynette and talk about how the world has changed since we were kids. She enlightened me to many of the dangers facing our kids today as they navigate the Internet–dangers we never had to worry about. Lynette is a mom who lives in Boston, so in addition to her being smart and having an important job, I wanted to chat her up about Boston. Of course.
I am happy to share this information with you, as I believe the organizations working to protect families vulnerable to Internet dangers have an important mission.
Trend Micro Inc. recently launched its third annual “What’s Your Story?” national Internet safety video contest in partnership with Twitter, Yahoo! Safely and the International Internet Safety Coalition.
Sponsored and supported by Trend Micro Internet Safety for Kids & Families and participating organizations, the contest helps showcase the positive use of social media and helps parents, teachers and youth become more aware of and less vulnerable to risks associated with using social media.
As in the past two years, “What’s Your Story?” will award a grand prize of $10,000 to the winning entry, with special categories for schools and individuals who submit entries. For the 2012 contest, Trend Micro is introducing new categories in the U.S. and Canada that challenges anyone 13 and older, including teachers with their classrooms, to create videos that offer thoughtful and compelling solutions to the following questions:
1. Take action against bullying: How would you help a friend being bullied online?
2. Keep a good reputation online: What’s the right way to share?
3. Be cell smart: How can someone new to cell phones use one wisely?
The judging panel for this year’s contest includes:
· Common Sense Media
· ConnectSafely
(The following are new this year)
· Cyberbullying Research Center
· The Identity Theft Resource Center
· Office of the Privacy Commissioner – Ontario
· The Wireless Foundation
· Yahoo! Safely
Contest winners will be announced in early May. Winning entries may also be used for educational programs worldwide.
To learn more , submit a video, or see past winners, visit http://whatsyourstory.trendmicro.com. You can follow updates on the contest on Twitter @WYSContest.
I received no compensation for this post but am happy to help as a parent concerned about Internet, specifically social media, safety.
Mama One to Three 