Ask.FM Puts Children at Risk for Cyber-Bullying

April Clifford, the Director of Technology for RSU 24 (Ellsworth Area) issued a parent cyber alert on the district's website regarding the website ask.fm.

According to the alert:

 ASK.FM is a social networking web site that has gained popularity among teens within Hancock County. ASK.FM is a social networking site where teens can send and receive anonymous questions and comments. ASK.FM allows users to create a profile with their picture and information about themselves. Users can access the profiles of other users and can choose to ask a user any question anonymously or to include their user information along with the question. The website allows for online conversations and it does not require that teens reveal their identities.

We have learned that some of our students have innocently set up ASK.FM accounts hoping to hear positive affirmations from their peers. However, the temptation to use this site for cyber-bullying and harassing other teens is prevalent. Users of ASK.FM have no way to find out who posted comments on the site without intervention of law enforcement. We are urging parents to check in with their children, monitor your child’s online activity, and keep computer use restricted to a common living space. Additional parental resources can be found on Common Sense Media at http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/parent-media-education