One of YouTube’s biggest stars -  and a fan of literally millions of children and young people –  has been demonetized.The global platform punished her for exposing a critic to possible harassment, bullying intimidation, or even worse.The financial costs to SinperWolf are thought to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Specifically, what did Alia Shelesh do? 

She intentionally released her critic’s personal information in the public domain – something called doxxing.She claims she had no idea doing so would be potentially dangerous.The story received broad coverage, as it raises an issue affecting so many of our children, but that too few parents and teachers talk about.

It’s called doxxing.

Let’s demystify doxxing for students and talk about its potential harms.We’ll also go over some practical steps towards safeguarding personal information and respecting each other’s privacy.

Understanding Doxxing

Doxxing can be as simple as sharing someone's phone number without permission.It can also be as complex as compiling a comprehensive dossier of someone’s personal and private details.For students, such acts can range from a seemingly harmless post where you share a classmate's photo to maliciously broadcasting sensitive information intended to intimidate, shame, or harm.The motives may vary and could be seemingly innocent.However, the outcome can be painful or distressing for the victim.

Consequences of Doxxing

The consequences of doxxing can be severe. For schoolchildren, it can lead to bullying, emotional distress, and in extreme cases, physical harm if their location is disclosed.For adults, it can mean identity theft, harassment, and the potential for real-world violence.For us as a school community, it can erode trust, an essential bond that promotes friendship, learning, and personal growth.

Doxxing Among Schoolchildren

Peer-to-peer doxxing in schools all too often arises from disputes, or as an act of cyberbullying.A student may disclose a classmate’s sensitive information online to exert power or cause embarrassment.This behavior can cause victims to feel unsafe and may even lead to more serious problems like depression or anxiety. 

So what can be done?

First off, we need to be conscious of doxxing and how students can be affected.  It is also important for all of us to recognize that such actions should not be seen as harmless pranks but as serious violations of personal privacy and security.

Such violations not only can expose every one of us to potential harm. They can also erode our community’s trust, especially in our ability to create a  healthy and nurturing environment for everyone.

Below is a list of precautions and steps we call can take to protect ourselves, our friends at school, and everyone we love and care about.

HOW TO AVOID DOXXING FOR CHILDREN, PARENTS  AND TEACHERS      

1. Never Share Personal Information

Teach your children never to share their full names, addresses, phone numbers, and schools on social media or online forums.

2. Understand the Risks of Geotagging

Educate your children about the dangers of geotagging and urge them to disable location services for photos and apps.

3. Be Cautious with Strangers Online

Make sure your children understand that "stranger danger" also applies to the internet.

4. Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Encourage the use of strong, unique passwords for each online account and change these passwords regularly.

5. Activate Privacy Settings

Show them how to set their social media accounts to "private" and walk them through reviewing privacy settings regularly.

6. Think Before You Post

Teach them the "forever" nature of the internet and to think carefully before posting anything, especially in public forums.

7. Be Mindful of Friend Requests

Advise them not to accept friend requests from people they don’t know and to review their friends list periodically.

8. Educate on Phishing Scams

Make sure they can recognize suspicious emails or messages that could be phishing attempts.

9. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Personal Transactions

Teach them not to conduct transactions that require login credentials on public Wi-Fi networks.

10. Report and Block Suspicious Behavior

They should report suspicious or harmful behavior to the platform, block the user, and inform a trusted adult.

11. Use Encrypted Messaging Apps

Introduce them to the concept of encrypted messaging and guide them on how to use apps like Signal for more private conversations.

12. Monitor their Digital Footprint

Teach your children how to Google themselves to check what information is publicly accessible and how to remove or secure it.

13. Use Virtual Machines for Risky Clicks

If older children are involved in activities that might entail clicking on risky links, teaching them how to use a VPN can add an extra layer of protection.

14. Explain the Importance of Software Updates

Old software can be a goldmine for hackers. Teach them to keep their devices updated with the latest security patches.

15. Engage in Open Dialogue

Maintain an ongoing dialogue about online safety, encouraging them to come to you with any questions or concerns they may have.

By implementing these 15 strategies, parents can significantly reduce the likelihood of their children—and by extension, their entire household—falling victim to doxxing. The key lies in a combined approach of education and technology-based solutions.