A Consumer Alert from Your Attorney General Courtesy of the House of Representatives

Consumer Alert: Staying Safe on Social Media
September 02, 2015

LITTLE ROCK – When used appropriately, social media sites are an enjoyable and effective way to keep in touch with friends and family. But there are potential dangers associated with these sites, including online predators. Social networking sites can provide a false sense of security for users who ignore the risks in making connections online.

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge issued today’s consumer alert to provide online safety tips to Arkansans to keep everyone and their personal information safe.

“Online social networking has become an everyday way of life,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “All Arkansans, but particularly teens, need to be made aware of the downfalls of social media. Parents and families must explain proper Internet habits and uses. This requires moms and dads, aunts and uncles and grandparents to get smart online.”

Attorney General Rutledge released the following tips for parents and families to keep their teens and children safe online:

• Keep tablets, laptops and cell phones in a shared area of the house with frequent foot traffic so that responsible household members can monitor times of use and materials viewed.
• Establish guidelines about the use of these devices, as well as an open dialogue on what is acceptable online behavior.
• Be aware of what Internet sites are frequented by children and teens. Blocking or screening services are available through Internet service providers or by purchasing software.
• Consider how different social networking sites operate before deciding if a child should join. Some sites allow only specific age groups or a defined community of users to access posted content, while others allow anyone and everyone to view postings.
• Remind teens that once information is posted online, it cannot be removed. Even if information is deleted from a site, older versions can continue to exist on other sites. Helping to keep control over posted information by restricting access to a select group of people is advisable.
• Warn children to be wary of friends they know solely online and never give out their telephone number, home or school address or other personal information.
• Discuss the dangers of meeting new online friends in person, and encourage them to share with a trusted adult if an online friend’s behavior seems strange.
• Review the privacy policy and terms of usage for sites that require registration of personal information such as email addresses. Select the highest privacy settings available, and avoid social networking sites that do not allow users to control access to postings.

Social networking sites have exploded in popularity in the past decade. According to a Pew Research survey last month, Facebook reports that 72 percent of U.S. adults who are online are active users, meanwhile 23 percent are on Twitter, 28 percent are on Instagram and 18 percent are on Snapchat. Snapchat is reported to be the fastest growing social media platform especially among children, teens and young adults. 

For more information on Internet and social media safety and other consumer-related issues, call the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office at (800) 482-8982 or visit ArkansasAG.gov or facebook.com/AGLeslieRutledge.

Back to High School? Oh No, Not The Breakfast Club.

Who in the world ever would see themselves going back to Elementary, Junior or High School? For me, it was a time of awkward puberty. Did I get school detention? Yes. Mostly for chewing gum and smart mouthing. Okay, and causing harmless pranks. But, I never thought I would have to go back there. However, as member of the State Legislature and part of the Governor's “Take Your Legislator to School Month,” I will be returning to school next month. I am pretty sure I won't end up in detention, but my heart still jumps a little up in my chest at the thought.
I totally understand The Breakfast Club.

The development of informed, effective, and responsible citizens is an important task.  Just like music and art, appreciation of democracy is one that can be enhanced in the classroom.

That is just part of the reason why members of the 90th General Assembly are reaching out to their local school districts.

In the 2015 Regular Session the Arkansas General Assembly passed a resolution designating September as annual “Take Your Legislator to School Month."  In addition to helping students learn more about the legislative process, this bipartisan initiative was also motivated by a need for members to fully understand the issues and challenges facing public schools in their districts.  In addition, it gives districts an opportunity to showcase innovative solutions developed by our educators.

The resolution encourages public school districts to plan special events with their local legislators.  Examples could include allowing legislators to visit classrooms,  read to students, or present guest lectures. Districts could also sponsor panel discussions in which administrators, teachers, and students discuss issues facing their schools.  We believe any activity that engages and involves legislators in the work of their public schools would be beneficial to both the district and to the legislator.

We devote over 43% of all net available General Revenue to K-12 education.  Our education committee hears testimony hundreds of bills every session and studies our progress continually in the interim.  Relationships with teachers can help provide us with the valuable insight needed to vote in a manner helpful to students and teachers.

On our website, www.arkansashouse.org, we have a section titled  “Kids in the House." There you will find all the materials your local school district will need to take advantage of this opportunity.  In the materials we have included a spreadsheet listing the members who represent all 257 districts in our state.

        If you have a child in school, we hope your first week back was an encouraging one.  We look forward visiting the classrooms and meeting as many educators as possible in the upcoming month.