'CYBERPROOFING' SCENARIOS

Suggested Format:

Dependant upon the availability of time, any or all of these scenarios may be addressed through:

• Whole class discussion
• Small group discussion
• Written analysis by students
• Dramatizations
  
  
  

1. Mandy, a 15-year-old grade ten student, is frustrated by her family's strict rules. She would like to go out with her friends, but her family insists on picking her up immediately after school. The family has a computer which Mandy often uses to do research for school and complete her homework. She surfs the Net and often uses Instant Messaging. Mandy has numerous contacts online and feels very comfortable talking about boys and sharing secrets with her new friends.
   
   Recently, a new person added her to their contact list. She describes herself as a 16-year-old female named Patti. Patti insists that Mandy keep everything they talk about a secret. Patti says she wants to meet her at the mall during the day so Mandy's parents won't find out.
   
           Should Mandy do what Patti is asking?
           Why or why not?
   
   
   
2. While Colin is using the Internet to do an assignment, a pop-up box appears that says:
   
   

   FREE! FREE! FREE WIN CONCERT TICKETS! No purchase necessary. Enter as often as you wish. Just fill out the informaiton below: Name: Address: Phone Number: Age: Gender: SUBMIT

   What dangers could Colin be facing if he enters the contest?
   
   
   

3. Karanjit wants a part-time job. She has been looking for a job through the Guidance Department at school and at her local mall. Most of the jobs pay minimum wage. A friend told Karanjit about a site on the Internet that advertises jobs. Karanjit found a job that requires no experience or qualifications and pays $20 per hour. She contacted the Internet job site and received an e-mail indicating that her interview was scheduled for 10:00 p.m., that evening, at the company president's home.

   How should Karanjit handle the employer's reply?
   
   
   

4. One of Michael's contacts is "Sam". Sam claims to be the same age as Michael and they appear to have many common interests including girls and web design. Sam and Michael have formed a pact that they would never reveal their conversations to others. Sam even sends Michael pictures of naked girls.
   
   At Christmas time, Sam told Michael that he received two webcams; one from his parents and one from his uncle. Sam said that his uncle lost the receipt for the webcam and it cannot be returned. Sam did not want to return the webcam his parents had purchased because it is the most advanced on the market. Sam has offered to send the less expensive webcam to Michael so that they can see each other while they chat. In order to send it to Michael, sam needs Michael's home address.

   What should Michael do?
   What potential dangers could Michael be facing?
   
   
   

5. Shari was 14 years old when she met Paul online. Shari became very interested in Paul, particularly after he sent her a photograph of himself. She spent more and more time on the Internet talking to Paul. One day at school, Shari confided to her best friend that she had fallen in love with Paul.
   
   Shari and Paul began expressing their love for each other over the Internet. They also told each other their deepest secrets and fantasies.
   
   During one particular session, Shari confided to Paul that she had done something very wrong. She swore Paul to absolute secrecy. Paul chose this moment to reveal his true identity. He told Shari that he was not 15. In fact he was 52 years old, and he loved young girls. Paul told Shari that if she did not agree to meet him, he would post her secrets all over the Internet and send the information to her parents.

   What mistakes did Shari make?
   What are the possible solutions and consequences for Shari in this situation?
   
   
   

6. You have been hired by your neighbour to babysit a 10-year-old girl named Cathy and her 7-year-old brother. After their parents leave for the evening, Cathy tells you about a friend she met on the Internet. Cathy has invited her new friend to the house tonight, and has given her friend the address.

   What should you do?
   What if your parents are not home either?