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1. We are making teenagers safe. Dr. Finkelhor says that people assume that the people being affected by sexual predators online are young children, but in actuality they are teenagers and older. Dr. Ybarra highlights that a main reason these teens are at risk is the fact that they have participated “in sexual conversations” and other risky behavior. Another problem is online bullying, which affects every aspects of young peoples’ lives. Ms. Boyd also points out that youth with history of abuse of any sort face online dangers.

2. We are making young peoples’ experiences on the internet safer. Ms. Lenhart points out that many youth are already “protecting pieces of information about themselves from others”. Dr. Ybarra also notes that in the past, legislation and declarations have been made with instinct, not data to back it up. She says that by doing this, “we miss our target”. Kids who are bullies are an important target because they are now bullying online as well. As of now, most people do not think that the internet is well-patrolled; it is seen as a “no man’s land”, according to Dr. Finkelhor. This image needs to be changed as well. The last topic the panel discussed was pornography in e-mails especially, and students are trying to use e-mail less because of this.

3. These decisions will make it imperative for teachers to entice students away from the internet. Danah Boyd says that boredom in school leads to drinking, which is only possible through relationships with 21 year olds and older. This is closely related to online relationships with adults. Also, the message that keeping personal information closely guarded in case of an attack will have to be reversed. While it is important to be safe with personal information, the warning that has been sent out to teens thus far has presented a sense of fear that is not warranted, according to Ms. Lenhart. Dr. Finkelhor says that an important thing to work on is the mobilization of bystanders online.