Security – Who is responsible?

Do you view your security posture in the office as more or less important in comparison to your residence? And how does that compare to the personal security profile that you exercise for you and your family? Who should be shouldering the security responsibility?  I posit — you are responsible. And I would add that you also need to hold …

Want to earn 17.8% less? Be a Woman!

I recently viewed an wonderful infographic full of not-so-wonderful data: “Equal Education, Unequal Pay” from the good folks at “Learnstuff.” This infographic depicts numerous data points which highlight, regrettably, the disparity between men and women wages. The real eye-opener to me was, regardless of the level of education obtained, men always earn more than the woman of equal skill-set. In fact, according to this infographic, the difference is 17.8% less for a woman.

I have a problem with this. Do you?

Victims of Bullying need to know they can survive

The suicide death of 15 year-old Amanda Todd was a preventable and tragic event. Her mother, Carol Todd, has asked that her daughter’s death be used as a means to prevent the death of another child. Our children need to understand that suicide is not the coping option. That one can survive being bullied. That we all make mistakes, that we all are stronger when we have a support system to lean on.
Chris Pirillo, a man who I admire very much, has a suggestion – a one-day conference for children to learn that bully victims can and do survive and most importantly for them to know that life is worth living. I am supporting Chris in his effort to put such a conference together. I solicit your support, spiritual, fiscal, and participatory.

Day of the Girl – October 11, 2012

Today is the day of the girl – October 11, 2012. Education is the key to moving the millions out of abject poverty. Today, there are 250 million girls in poverty asking for an education. Learn more…

Movie Review – The First Grader

I had the pleasure of watching the film The First Graderwhich details the efforts of Kimani NgaNga Maruge to take advantage of the “Free Education for All” which was availed throughout Kenya in 2003.

Little did the authorities know that Maruge, at age 84, wished to take advantage of this opportunity and showed up to enter first grade at Kapkenduiywo Primary School in Langas, Eldoret, 300km west of the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

Safer Internet Day 2012

Safer Internet Day 2012 (SID2012) serves as great opportunity to remind ourselves of the need to exercise a bit of caution as we traverse the wired side of life. What impresses me the most is the multi-lingual, multi-topic approach taken to spread the message of how to stay safe online.

Online Safety: Cyberbullying those who are different – Trust the Movie

In David Schwimmer’s TRUST, the teenage character Annie finds herself the subject of great deal of unwanted and undeserved attention by her high school classmates in a manner in which constituted to all would be unacceptable and falls within the realm of cyberbullying (as the bullying occurred using online media). We all have encountered instances where those who did not conform or who had experienced something not of the ordinary come under undo scrutiny and are isolated for the experience by their peers. The scrutiny often times manifests itself into ridicule, sarcasm or insults as those who are observing from afar attempt to differentiate and exclude themselves from the experience.

ABA resolution addressing Bullying and Cyberbullying

Kudos to the American Bar Association (ABA) for amending and adopting their resolution 107A which urges “… federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local officials, to prevent and remediate the existence and dangers of bullying, including cyberbullying and youth-to-youth sexual and physical harassment.” In my view this is very much a step in the right direction…

Is your teen EXPOSED? Sexting is a crime.

Exposed is a 10 minute drama about a 15 year old girl called Dee, who makes a very common mistake of sending via (SMS – text messaging) five photos of herself to her boyfriend, nude photos. This is called “Sexting”

Every day is worth living

If we are able to collectively work together, we can save a life, we can save many lives and in doing so we will demonstrate to the children, every day is worth living.

Bullycide: How many are too many?

… in 2010, by my count, 30 children ranging in age from 9-19 took their own lives as they were unable to cope with the bullying which they were being subjected. These families who lost their child …

How does my child access the internet? With whom is my child engaging?

A question which every parent should be asking themselves, “How does my child access the internet?” “With whom is my child engaging?” The array of answers may startle you. So make no assumptions. Why does it matter? Knowing how your child accesses the internet and with whom they are engaging are the first steps in crafting an online safety plan for your child. I have said it before and will repeat, our family is our responsibility.

Do You Know Where Your Data Is?

The following appeared in the Canadian online magazine Security Matters:  Location Based Services: Do you know where your data is? Do you know where your data is? By Christopher Burgess  Everywhere you look, retailers and other entities are offering to collect your data using one of the many location-based services available to collate your whereabouts and analyze your behavior.  Are …

Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking

On 15 September, the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security conducted a hearing on “Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking” in the United States. (NB: A minor in the United States is an individual under the age of 18.) On ongoing issue in the United States which every year touches over 100,000 children. The sex trafficking and exploitation of a child victim, on average …

BackPack Programs

In the United States there are programs within the public school systems to assist children with reduced resources to be able to have a light meal cum snack before school and a reduced price lunch during school. When the child goes home, they eat what is placed on the table which if they are fortunate their parent/guardian will prepare, but as often as not, they themselves must prepare. What if there isn’t any food at home? The child goes hungry? Not if there is a Backpack Program.

Breakfast, Did You Have Yours?

Breakfast is the meal which energizes us for the day. Unfortunately, not all in the United States have the means to provide their families with this all important meal. One in six families are food insecure in the United States – 300,000,000+ is our population, that means 50,000,000 citizens worry about their breakfast.  Did you have your breakfast?  Many didn’t, …

Jon Carmichael – Age 13

Jon Carmichael was a 13-year-old eighth grade student from Joshua, Texas who took his own life in late March 2010. Jon hung himself in his parents barn. He had been bullied at school.

Kimberly Linczeski – Age 12

Kimberly Linczeski was a 12-year-old sixth grader who attended Ontonagon Area Junior-Senior High School in Ontonagon village, Michigan. She took her own life on 3 March 2010.

Montana Lance – Age 9

Montana Lance was a nine-year old fourth grader when he took his life in the nurses station restroom at Stewart Creek elementary school in The Colony, Texas in January 2010.

Ernest Fuller – Age 12

Ernest Fuller was a 12-year-old sixth grader who attended Dunbar Middle School in Lynchburg, Virginia. He took his own life in January 2010.