By SOPHIE BONOMI
Editor
KINGSTON — Children are increasingly in danger of being exposed to cybercrime, given the proliferation of technology at their disposal.
That’s why Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Todd Dowell visited Kingston Middle School on May 27 to discuss with students how they can be cyber-safe — and protect themselves from unintentionally committing cybercrime.
“Anyone out there have one of these?” Dowell asked, holding up his cell phone. “Cybercrime happens online on your cell phone and your computer.”
Dowell was accompanied by Kitsap County Defense Attorney Mark Randolph and Kitsap County Juvenile Court Administrator Mike Merringer. They had an important message to share about the consequences of cyberbullying.
As they displayed images from shootings, bombings, and terrorist attacks during the past 15 years, they explained why even a prank threat is not funny.
“You have to understand the historical context over the last 30-40 years to understand why your parents and principals, teachers and school advisers are completely freaked out when they hear a threat in your schools,” Dowell said. “Even if it’s a joke, everybody freaks out. Because this is the kind of thing that could happen and does happen.
“There’s a lot going on in the world today that get people on edge when they hear threats.”
Dowell and his colleagues had two simple but very important lessons for the students: don’t be mean and don’t be nasty anytime, but especially online.
“Whenever you’re on the computer or your cell phone, don’t message people or try to bully them,” Dowell said.
“Don’t threaten them. These can constitute the following crimes: harassment, stalking, malicious harassment, telephone harassment, cyberstocking or bomb threats. Don’t send nude photos and don’t ask people to send you nude photos.”
Randolph said of the prospect of arrest and prosecution: “If you are 171/2 years old or 12 years old, the same rules apply to you.”
They discussed new software apps like SnapChat. Although some young people think after they send a photo it will disappear in 5-10 seconds, that’s really not the case.
“I guarantee you that within that five minutes that picture is sitting online, there at least a few thousand if not a few a million people downloading that picture somewhere,” Dowell said. “Once it’s out there, it’s out there forever.”
Students were encouraged to think before they act and take a time out before they make any impulsive decisions.
“It’s not about being a good kid or a bad kid,” Randolph said. “It’s about making choices, and I hope you all make the right choice so I don’t have to see you in my office.”
Merringer added, “The reason we’re here is not to scare you. It is to make you think. Cell phones are an amazing thing, but they can also can create difficulties for our kids. Remember to think before you act. Once you press ‘send’, it’s too late.”
