Mike Morgan (in center in above photo) returned as the Guest Speaker to speak with us this morning, invited by Monthly Program Chair Joe Cozart, with whom Mike works at Teachout Security. This time, he spoke on a subject related to his recently completed doctoral dissertation – internet security, access, and problems (especially as related to innocent/naive young people and less tech-aware or tech-savvy older folks). Mike spoke about the hazards of premature, unmonitored, and dangerous exposure or access to social media and electronic programs and information by emphasizing 2 concerns:
- the first is at the “sending” end, with predatory behavior and exposure to cruelty and even suicides in distributed content – “764” (“a decentralized, internationally operating online sextortion network”<Google Search quote>) has been one (and only one!) of the potential starting points for creating or connecting criminally inclined persons with ideas/support/contact chains. It operates “below the radar” of most people in the country but wreaks havoc on its victims and law enforcement with relative impunity for trafficking and exploitation ventures.
- the second is at the “receiving” end where immaturity, !naivete, trust, ignorance, and curiosity can result in unwitting entry and enticement of “innocents” characterized by these into a spiraling “rabbithole”. Even relatively “normal” and seemingly innocuous computer engagement with “Minecraft” and “Roblox” can devolve into “chat” communities like “Discord” that enhance/encourage risky behavior, suicidal ideation, inappropriate communication of specific intimate information, and parental disengagement.
Mike strongly encourages conversations with our adult offspring and their youngsters to increase awareness of risk and enticement techniques, as well as inculcation of critical thinking skills and relational import to sidestep some of the hazards. Additional resources (like “ChildSafe” certification, for instance, or a class that he teaches ) were also discussed. (More information is available through https://teachoutsecurity.com/consulting-solutions/.)
(NOTE: Links to the questionable and potentially problematic material was purposely excluded from this newsletter but, unfortunately, are easily enough available.)
OTHER NEWS: President Rich Lewis is planning to change his office set-up and wishes to have the Optimist cabinet (formerly in our gathering room) moved to another location, and Cindy Sullivan has volunteered to help with at least a temporary relocation.
Rich and Cindy are ready to start with the sponsor solicitations for Summerfest, but the final plans are still evolving.
Steve Schlott asked Club members to consider volunteering for a Sleep in Heavenly Peace “Assembly Day” next week (April 2) after the Club breakfast.
Joe Cozart noted that Scott Staley’s absence today may be associated with absences of key workers in Scott’s business and a downturn in Scott’s 96-year-old mother’s health: her fall and hip fracture while she was in rehab for a previous fracture of her other hip! Please keep them in mind!
This afternoon’s Stammtisch will be at Johnny’s Pour House in Flushing at 3:30 p.m..
FINES:
- against Rich Lewis for trying to unload precious Optimist material, against Joe Cozart for arriving at breakfast AFTER his Guest Speaker,
- against Cherry Givens for waiting until after the gathering was officially underway to to make her “grand entrance”,
- against John Drumm for “sitting with all his friends”,
- and against Greg Hilliker for having a preoccupation with age (congratulating Joe Cozart for his 60th birthday, and introducing Greg’s “oldest” sister and guest, Jenny Byrd).
Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”