BurgessCT

Children as a commodity – Human Trafficking & Sex Trafficking

2012-04-29T17:45:58Z

Those who are unfamiliar with the terms "sex trafficking" or "human trafficking" I hope will envision children being bought and sold, for the use of others - child slavery would also be an apropos term. This isn't isolated to some poor unfortunates in a far away land. Look around and you will see it; look around and understand. The year is now 2012 and we continue to see an ever increasing number of fellow humans being trafficked and enslaved. In fact, the number of persons believed to be enslaved in 2012 is at its greatest level in the history of mankind.

Bullying does increase risk of adolescent suicide

2012-04-24T00:59:55Z

I recently read a paper published February 2011 in the Psychiatric Times re bullying and its effects on adolescent suicides (written by By Anat Brunstein Klomek, PhD, Andre Sourander, MD and Madelyn S. Gould, PhD, MPH – bio’s provided below). The paper noted, “The results pertaining to bullies are less consistent. Some studies show an association [...]

Misogyny – No place for such in 2012

2012-04-12T13:35:09Z

mi·sog·y·ny - noun \mə-ˈsä-jə-nē\ Definition of MISOGYNY : a hatred of women (including sexual discrimination, denigration of women, violence against women, and sexual objectification of women) The year is 2012 and we find ourselves collectively scratching our heads as evidence of misogyny continues to percolate up to the surface in all facets of our life. We find our state's lawmakers crafting legislature which penalizes women on their personal choices. We have the media seizing on how one body type is better or more desirable than another body type

Tiffani Maxwell – Bullycide Victim – Age 16 – January 2011

2012-04-15T15:24:00Z

In mid January 2011, Tiffani Maxwell of Portersville, PA took her own life, she shot herself. According to her parents she was the target of bullying and falsehoods - the methodology included both cyber-bulling and face-to-face by her classmates. Her mother, Sandy reported that Tiffani was falsely accused of using drugs at school and was expelled. Following the expulsion she received text messages saying ‘Tiffani you’re in rehab.’ ‘You’re on drugs.’

Sex Trafficking & Exploitation – 2012 – Village Voice

2012-04-15T15:40:20Z

Today I opened up the NY Times web page to see Nicholas D. Kristoff's piece "Where Pimps Peddle Their Goods" which speaks to how Village Voice Media accepts advertising on their websites which offers lightly veiled solicitations for the services of "escorts" and the like, both male and female. The reality is that this is unvarnished advertising by pimps who have exerted control over individuals whom they force to prostitute themselves. In reading Kristoff's piece, I was particularly taken back by this portion, "Liz McDougall, general counsel of Village Voice Media, told me that it is “shortsighted, ill-informed and counterproductive”

Kiefer Allan – Bullycide victim – Age 14 – January 2011

2012-03-31T15:55:59Z

On January 13, 2011 - Kiefer Allan, age 14, was the first of many children who took their own life during 2011 as a result of not being able to cope with the onslaught of bullying.

International Women’s Day 2012 – A son’s perspective

2012-03-09T03:25:57Z

Today, March 8, 2012 is International Women's Day and is the 55th that I've been around to observe, though I may not have understood the first 12 or 13 occurrences. The history of the day can be found in the 19th century suffrage movements. And here we are in 2012 and in the United States we continue to have political debate on the rights of women; we have talk show hosts who take scholarly debate and debase the intellect of the individual, by attacking the personal character vice the merits of the discussion. This whole scenario caused me to reflect on my own mother. My mother was as good as any individual, regardless of gender.

Movie Review – The First Grader

2012-02-25T18:44:18Z

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.

The murder of innocents – Charlie and Braden Powell

2012-02-12T19:27:41Z

This past week we have all been reeling from the shock of the murder of Charlie and Braden Powell, who were murdered by their father. The same father whose wife, Susan Powell, has been missing (presumed murdered by her spouse) for the past two years.

Safer Internet Day 2012

2012-02-06T12:54:37Z

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.

Unintended Consequences – Time for a paradigm shift

2011-11-14T14:45:41Z

On 2 November, I gave a talk, "Unintended Consequences" at Gnomedex. I spoke to the need to recognize that "always-on" isn't necessarily always good. I went on to describe the train-wrecks which occur when technology which is created for good, is used in a manner, unintended. I then shared the stories of 36 young people who we lost in 2010 due to being overwhelmed, both online and off.

Seattle Geek Roast – benefitting Nick Magnotti

2011-11-04T18:51:02Z

ake a moment and visit the website “Seattle Geek Roast.” Read Nick’s story, sign up to attend the event on 11 November 2011 at the Redmond Marriott at Redmond Town Center (7401 164th Avenue NE, Redmond, WA 98052). If you can’t make it, skip your coffee fix for the afternoon and donate that amount. You see, when we all give a little, it becomes a lot.

A discussion surrounding bullying

2011-10-26T00:06:03Z

I had the pleasure of speaking with Chris Pirillo pre-Gnomedex about a variety of subjects, some light, some humorous and one very serious - the topic of bullying and the attendant suicides. During this discussion, I also shared my thoughts on how we as a collective society need to step up and accomplish in the immediate future. I do hope you will come and listen to my talk on the Gnomedex stage at Seattle Interactive conference on 2 November 2011 at 1400 hours (2:00pm). The presentation is titled: "Unintended Consequences"

Encrypt or not to encrypt, that is the question

2011-10-21T14:12:57Z

17 October 2011 (#NCSAM – National Cyber Security Awareness Month) Encryption: To encrypt or not encrypt, that is the question (a hat tip to the Bard of Avon). In this day and age of digital data thefts, careless loss of hardware and infusion of crimeware / malware, in my opinion it pays to encrypt. When [...]

Wi-Fi: Three steps to stay safe when connecting via wireless

2011-10-21T14:12:17Z

Those who have followed my writing on the subject of Wi-Fi security know my passion for taking seemingly basic steps to keep one’s wireless activity safe and secure. In a recent survey conducted by the Wi-Fi Alliance 86% of all respondents had taken the appropriate steps to secure their routers, but only 56% had taken the step to create a “hard” password, thus making themselves vulnerable to dictionary attacks or the like. So take three basic steps to keep yourself Wi-Fi secure:

SMISH smash, don’t let your accounts take a Phish bath

2011-10-21T14:00:59Z

What’s SMISH? SMISH is Short Message Service (SMS) Phish or in the lexicon of the day, Text Message Phishing. What’s phishing? Phishing is a criminal action where you are engaged by a third-party with the specific goal of you providing private and sensitive information for nefarious purposes. The difference between SMISH (SMS Phish) and Email Phish (Phish) is only the avenue by which you are engaged by the criminal. How does it work?

Mobile – Daily risks mitigated

2011-10-21T13:59:03Z

If you don’t maintain the health of your device then you should expect that your device will at some point in the future become compromised in some way, shape or form. What type of compromises may occur? How often? What can you do? Let’s answer these in order...

Game On! Eight tips to stay safe while playing online games

2011-10-09T15:32:38Z

Do you or your children participate in online gaming, using your PC, smart phone or game box? Then you need to make sure you understand what’s going on, especially behind the curtain, when you configure your “game” settings. Here are eight online security tips to keep you safe and secure.

Location, Location, Location

2011-10-09T15:31:25Z

Location based services are here to stay, have great viability and absolutely increase the interaction between individuals and merchants, as well as serve to identify individuals with similar interest. Know that well intentioned services have a positive side, but also may also be used to your detriment. If you are satisfied with the answers to the questions in today's post, then make your decision to share or not to share.

Cyber Security Awareness: Are you?

2011-11-11T21:58:32Z

Today marks the start of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) in the United States. If you’re reading this piece you are on a social network and have a modicum of interest in your online security. Throughout the month (as I have for the past few years) I will be publishing snack size tips that you may wish to share (family, friends, colleagues, or whomever) so that all have a leg-up on keeping their online activities enjoyable, but also safe and secure.