by Susan Shultz
Darien Times

A few weeks ago, a group of female students at Darien High School created a Facebook page to vent about some upperclassmen.

Someone hacked into the private page, and shared information with others that the original students thought was confidential, including some of those students who had been talked about on the page.

Principal Dan Haron said the hacking did not take place on school grounds (Facebook is blocked at the high school), and that he would not classify it as cyber-bullying.

“Essentially someone got hold of the password of a private chat on Facebook, but because it was a private chat, it would be wrong to call it bullying. That was not their intention. It became bullying when it was used without their permission,” he said

Read more about sexting

By Bryan Chambers
The Herald-Dispatch

CHARLESTON — A bill that makes it illegal to send obscene, harassing or threatening communication with a cell phone or other mobile device won approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

Several senators on the committee said the bill (HB 4207) is an attempt to catch up the state code with advancements in cell phone technology.

State law addresses harassment crimes using computers, but does not include language regarding cell phones and other mobile gadgets.

Under the bill, people would face charges if they send text messages, photos or videos on mobile devices with the intent of harassing or abusing another person.

Penalties would range from a misdemeanor and up to a $500 fine for the first offense to a felony and up to a $5,000 fine for three or more offenses.

Read more about sexting and what the government is doing to stop it

It’s illegal, it’s scary and it’s an invasion of privacy. Still, experts say it’s happening every day, and anyone with a cell phone is a target.

For as little as $99, anyone can purchase downloadable software that when applied and activated on a person’s cell phone, will allow someone else to listen to their calls, retrieve their emails, text messages, and photos, and even track their movements on GPS.

Read more about cell phone stalking…

Protect Your Child Against Digital Dangers
kmtv.com

Omaha, NE – Parents beware, x-rated picture texts or “sexting” and pedophiles targeting teens on their phones are on the rise. Tonight, we take action against these digital crimes to protect your kids.

It’s a high tech tracker, new cell phone software has parents dialed in. “Now with these phones and as powerful as they are, now it can be a lot more dangerous and it just really makes kids more vulnerable.” Private investigator Brett Pippen sees these digital dangers first hand. Pedophiles stalking children and worse. Now, parents can take action. We had the P.I. install this new spyware. He chose the SMobile Systems brand because he knows it. Look how easy it is, he types in the number of the cell phone he’s targeting and in minutes has complete access to it.

“The latest and greatest feature allows you to punch in the names and numbers of who you want calling your kid if someone else texts or call them your your email is flagged. It also has a word alert feature, if your child sends or receives something innapropriate you’ll know. And kid savvy sayings are all spelled out for you. It also cuts down on the new naked picture craze, “Sexting”.
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