Saturday, 27 December 2008
Why youth are in hacking?
Youth and Internet Hacking
The 15-year-old computer whiz kid looked an unlikely menace to the U.S. military yesterday in his respectable shirt and tie.
But he stood before a judge and admitted he had indeed made his way, unlawfully, into military and other computer systems across North America when he was just 13.
The teen pleaded guilty yesterday to fraudulently using a computer system with intent to gain unlawful access to password files, route access, and Internet access.
He is to be sentenced Dec. 18. Meanwhile, he and his mother are hoping for probation his lawyer and the Crown are agreed on. But they also hope the terms will still allow him to use his computer.
ChallengeHis lawyer says it was a combination of the boy's skills and the challenge of breaking into high tech systems that led him to hack into military sites in Maryland and Colorado.
"It's a double-edged sword, obviously. He has a talent", said lawyer, Craig Fraser.
Judge John Takach repiled, "It's a bit of an understatement."
Fraser said the youth has been doing a number of positive things with computers since he was charged. "He's been on release (on arrest for the charges) for over a year now and there haven't been any problems."
However, Takach appeared unimpressed. "With the ability he has, it would be difficulty to know that. I am concerned about protecting society."
Takach warned that the boy's probation may include some limits to his computer privileges. Court hear the youth tried to get into an army research lab in Maryland, but it was noticed by the computer's security system and the attempt to penetrate the system was uneuccessful.
Internet ProviderU.S. military personnel were still concerned. However, the attempt, and another at a Colorado military site, could only be traced to a Burlington Internet provider and not the actual user.
Takach was told the Internet provider was in danger of collapse at the time of the youth's arrest because of the financial cost of hacking and from the fallout to its image as a result.
Yesterday, the youth also admitted obtaining credit card numbers through hacking, but disagreed with a police report that he was supplying them, and cellular phone numbers they said were obtained the same way, to other Internet hackers.
Fraser told Takach the youth did not intend to hurt anyone, cause any damage, or make use of the credit card numbers.
It was all part of his experience in hacking, he said.
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Futures at Stake: Youth, Gambling, and Society
Internet gambling is an area of increasing concern. While approximately 10% of 11-16 year olds report betting on the Internet, the large majority (95%) report that the site did not require a credit card. There are a number of Internet sites that offer individuals the opportunity to play various games, solo or against others, which include casino type games such as slot machines and blackjack. While a person does not actually have to risk any of their own money, these games display winnings and losses in terms of dollars. Essentially, youth are learning how to gamble on “adult” games. The impact of these sites on later gambling practices is certainly an area worthy of further investigation. A related area deserving attention is the potential use of pre-paid credit cards by youth for purposes of gambling on the Internet. While most youth do not have access to a traditional credit card, these pre-paid cards are readily accessible and could provide a means for gambling on the Internet.
Just over 4% of 11-16 year olds report problems related to their gambling, consisting of arguments, physical fights and loss of money. Interestingly, 16% indicated that their friends have experienced problems from gambling. These results speak to the need for targeted prevention strategies that reinforce the problems that can be created from gambling or betting, highlighting the very real consequences of arguments, fights and loss of money. As well, given that so many youth know friends who are experiencing these problems, it may be advantageous to target this group separately. The information may include ways to avoid peer pressure, as well as helpful advice that youth can provide their friends regarding gambling matters.
Just less than one-quarter of youth feel that betting is cool and approximately one-third feel that it is fun. These perceptions increase with age. In addition, youth who describe themselves as popular, leaders or risk-takers are more likely to gamble. While this is an area that warrants further investigation, it is possible that there is a place for messages that target the desirable attributes associated with betting.
In terms of understanding the chances of winning at gambling, perceptions vary depending on the type of gambling activity. That is, youth believe that they will win at least half the time betting on physical activities but will lose most times gambling on scratch or lottery tickets. There is, however, a general lack of knowledge of probability. For instance, the majority of respondents believe that a random series of numbers is more likely to win than a string of numbers in a sequence. Whether this erroneous belief is a risk factor for gambling problems has not been firmly established. However, it does make sense that the more individuals understand randomness and probability as they relate to gambling, the better able they are to make informed decisions.
Most youth understand that gambling can create problems, and recognize that spending more money and time gambling than intended, or borrowing or stealing from others can create problems. At the same time, about 25% of youth do not feel that these are potential warning signs. This signifies a need to reinforce the potential warning signs of a gambling problem. In doing so, however, it is critical that the language and examples are meaningful to the target audience.
Parents are important key influencers. The results show that youth learn about gambling from parents, gamble with parents and at home with friends, that parents purchase scratch and lottery tickets for their children, and that youth are aware of their parent’s gambling activities. At an early age, children develop concepts of gambling from observing their parents. It is important that parents realize the impact their own gambling behavior and attitudes have on their children, and the importance of transferring healthy and balanced attitudes about gambling.
The large majority of youth (78%) have received messages, from television or the Internet, that promote gambling. Only 12% of participants have seen any advertising for problem or responsible gambling. This imbalance in messaging sets the stage for a biased understanding of the impacts of gambling. While strides have been made in providing information to youth, efforts tend to rely on the school as the dissemination vehicle. There is a need to broaden the focus by utilizing an array of mediums to raise awareness of the potential risks associated with gambling.
The results from this study reinforce the findings from past research that many youth gamble and some experience negative consequences resulting from gambling. In terms of providing meaningful and targeted problem gambling awareness messages to youth, the results highlighted potential areas for consideration. These include understanding the language of the target group, developing messages that speak to the negative impacts (i.e. loss money, fights) and perceived positive impacts of gambling (i.e. status and bragging rights), drawing on parents as a key information source, increasing parent’s awareness of youth gambling and associated negative impacts, and disseminating messages outside the confines of the school.
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
यूथ फ्रेंडशिप (Youth Friendship)
Friends are people we feel close to. They’re people who have the same interests, people who care about us and people we can trust. Being a friend means not judging others and being there to offer support and understanding when those near to you really need it.
True friendship is important. Friends support one another, listen to each other and give advice. Friends can also have a positive influence in our lives. When you share things about yourselves, learn from each other and explore what you have in common, it brings you closer to other people and gives you an appreciation of the different qualities people have.
Who are your friends? Do they really care about what’s best for you? If your friends want you to change and get into or keep using alcohol or other drugs, maybe you need to change your friends.
You always have so much to talk about with your friends. It really doesn't matter what you say, it's just being together that matters. Their presence may not lessen your pain, but it gives you the courage to go on. Psychologists claim that having relatives does not increase your lifespan but having friends does. FLASH tells you what can strengthen and weaken the bond. In kindergarten, your good friends shared their red crayons and chips with you. In Class XII, they helped you ‘win’ your girl and get the guess papers. After graduation they told you ‘she didn’t deserve you’ every time your girl ditched you. Then they went out of their way so that you could marry the one you loved and were the happiest when your baby called them ‘unceel’ The definition of a friend may change at different stages of our life, but the importance of a friend remains unchanged throughout the years. “A good friend always remembers who we were and sees what we can be” - Unknown How do friendships grow Friendships need time to grow and strengthen. Always accept your friends as they are. Don’t expect them to change for you. Be a good listener and refrain from offering advice or moralising every time. Respect your friends’ point of view. Try to keep your cool when they are angry. Also, try to be with them not only when you need them but also when they need you. Most importantly, appreciate your friends. Be a true confidant who treasures friends’ secrets in his heart. Always guide and stop them when they go astray. Don’t crib over small issues. Be understanding when your friends come up with a last minute change in plans. And if it’s you who changes the plan, learn to say sorry. Strengthen your FRIENDSHIP Just a few harsh words can break your friends’ heart. Your friends might not want to share everything with you. Understand their feelings. Don’t be dominating or authoritative. Never betray your friends’ trust. Never criticise or chide your friends in public. Never support your friends when they are wrong. Never lie or boast before your friends. Be there when they need you but don’t forget to respect their space. Keeping in touch… Howsoever far or busy you might be, always keep in touch with your friends to make them feel that they are still an important part of your life. Try the following: Send e-mails. Call once a week or twice. It does not take too long to connect hearts. Keep in touch through brief messages left on answering machines or SMSs. Send an occasional card. Send recent snaps with your family, friends and colleagues. This will make them feel included in your happiness. Why do friendships break? You were best of friends and never had an argument before. Then how did the friendship break? Misunderstanding and miscommunication can separate even the closest of friends. Generally the issues are trivial, which if not resolved immediately, may result in break-ups. According to senior psychologist Madhumita Singh, “It is not that friends begin disliking each other, but after sometime the informal bond starts converting into a taken-for-granted relationship. In friendships that break, either both or one of the friends eventually becomes short-tempered, uses rough language and gives less time to the other. This communication gap creates space for misinterpretations between the two.” Over-expectations, ego clashes and competition in financial status, academic level or job, can lead to breaking of bonds. Setting limits… For maintaining long term friendship set certain limits. For eg a FRIEND can never make it to the end of the month on a budget and you end up paying his bills. But this may not be a long-term solution. In friendship a balance must be maintained. Remember you are not being helpful—you are simply creating a parasite! Your friend is someone who doesn’t hesitate before telling you your follies and is the first one to walk side by side with you, be it sorrow or fun. As a matter of fact, as the relationship keeps on strengthening, it becomes more and more delicate as well. Let’s simply make a promise never to hurt a friend!
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Sexual exploitation of youth
School-based prevention efforts related to sexual exploitation are very new. Several sexual harassment prevention programs include sexual exploitation as a topic, but do not deal with this in an extensive manner.
Parent Involvement:As with teachers, parent presentations focus on raising awareness of the sexual exploitation of youth.
Saturday, 13 December 2008
Youth Crime
Youth crime harms communities, creates a culture of fear and damages the lives of some of our most vulnerable young people.
Reducing youth crime and improving the youth justice system is a central part of our effort to build safer communities and to tackle the problem of social exclusion.
What causes youth crime?
These are some of the major risk factors that increase the chances of young people committing crimes:
01. troubled home life
02. poor attainment at school, truancy and school exclusion
03. drug or alcohol misuse and mental illness
04. deprivation such as poor housing or homelessness
05. peer group pressure
Rehabilitation and sentencing
Sentences and interventions designed to prevent offending and reoffending include:
A). Referral Orders – the young person is required to agree a contract of behaviour with their parents/guardians and the victim (where appropriate), to repair the harm caused by the offence and address the causes of the offending behaviour.
B). Action Plan Orders – three-month, intensively supervised community service programmes focusing on education and involving the young person’s parents/guardians
C). Reparation Orders – court orders requiring a young person to repair the harm caused to an individual or the community, for example, through mediation or community service work
D). Parenting Orders – a requirement for parents to attend counselling and guidance sessions where they receive help in dealing with their children
E). Electronic Tagging, as part of an Intensive Supervision & Surveillance Programme (ISSP) – for the most persistent offenders aged 12-16 year olds, on bail or on remand in local authority accommodation
Dedicated Youth Offending Teams
Youth offending teams (YOTs) are an important part of our strategy to deal with youth crime. YOTs include representatives from the police, social services, health, education and housing. Their job is to identify the needs of each young offender and identify the problems that make the young person offend, as well as measuring the risk they pose to others. This enables the YOT to identify suitable programmes to address the needs of the young person, so they can be rehabilitated, through:
01. education, training or employment
02. drug rehabilitation
03. mental health assessment and treatment
04. provision of accommodation
Friday, 12 December 2008
What are the effects of the Internet on youth?
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Sex appeal in advertisings negative effects on children
Furthermore, advertisements are leading to an unhealthy obsession with good looks and perfect bodies in our youth. The use of sex appeal is causing our society to put an emphasis on appearance and weight, which not only play a role in adults but affects our children as well. A prime example of this comes from a popular advertisement in a June 2002 advertisement in Teen People Magazine. The advertisement was for a Jersey dress. The advertisement pictured a tall, beautiful, blonde model, with an incredible figure. The blonde model was wearing the skimpy dress walking through one baby blue door and into another. The small caption in the advertisement read, “Make a Sh.....................
In conclusion, sex appeal in advertising has become an incredibly controversial issue due to its negative effects on our children. ” The increase in testosterone increases anabolic activity, which results in greater muscle bulk. The social pressure that occurs from such advertisements can lead children to drastic measures in order to try to live up to an impossible image. A few advertisements, which portray these points, came from Teen People Magazine, Maxim Magazine, and past Calvin Klein advertisements found over the internet. The advertisements appeared in the New York Post and in a huge billboard in Manhattan’s Times Square. The woman and the caption give female children the idea that if they buy this dress they will become “showstopping” and therefore, socially successful. Advertisements such as this, read by many teenage girls, give them the idea that in order to be noticed and popular they have to be as attractive and thin as the woman in the advertisement. It was as if the model is poking fun at male masculinity.
In addition, there is a major controversy surrounding sex appeal in advertisements, which are aimed toward adolescents. An advertisement that supports this idea came from Maxim Magazine; the advertisement was for Camel cigarettes. Recently, Maxim Magazine advertised a video game that didn’t show anything about the game. The main idea of the advertisement is that in order to be the center of attention a person must either look like the young, thin, beautiful model, or attempt to by purchasing the dress.
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Youth and Drugs-Why are young people at risk of drug abuse?
A psychoactive substance is something that people take to change the way they feel, think or behave. Some of these substances are called drugs, and others, like alcohol and tobacco, are considered dangerous but are not called drugs. The term drugs also covers a number of substances that must be used under medical supervision to treat illnesses.
Youth Suicide Risk and Preventive Interventions.
There has been a dramatic decrease in the youth suicide rate during the past decade. Although a number of factors have been posited for the decline, one of the more plausible ones appears to be the increase in antidepressants being prescribed for adolescents during this period. Youth psychiatric disorder, a family history of suicide and psychopathology, stressful life events, and access to firearms are key risk factors for youth suicide. Exciting new findings have emerged on the biology of suicide in adults, but, while encouraging, these are yet to be replicated in youths. Promising prevention strategies, including school-based skills training for students, screening for at-risk youths, education of primary care physicians, media education, and lethal-means restriction, need continuing evaluation studies. Dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and treatment with antidepressants have been identified as promising treatments but have not yet been tested in a randomized clinical trial of youth suicide.
While tremendous strides have been made in our understanding of who is at risk for suicide, it is incumbent upon future research efforts to focus on the development and evaluation of empirically based suicide prevention and treatment protocols.
This is only a way of preventing youth suicide risk, this is not a absolute way to stop it.
Use our knowledge to motivate all the youth on the way of Meditation to push the society up.
-Janakraj Sharma Marasini
Sexual risk behavior among youth: modeling the influence of prosocial activities and socioeconomic factors.
We people should aware and analysis all the factors that put youth at Risk as we are the one to make nation proud.
- Janakraj Sharma Marasini