The MJV project is holding an Internet Safety Essay Contest. We want to give Hawai‘i’s students a chance to share their opinions regarding Internet safety issues and demonstrate innovative thinking about how the Internet shapes their world.  Winners will also receive a prize of $100, and writers meriting honorable mention will receive $5.

This contest is open to all Hawaii students in grades 6-12 in the school year 2010-2011.  A panel of judges ranging from school teachers, principals and members of law enforcement will select 20 winning essays.  One essay will be selected per category from grades 6-8 and one essay per category from grades 9-12.  The selections will be published in a CRDG publication available beginning August 2011.

The publication will be made available to all public, charter, and private schools in the State of Hawai‘i. Each winner will also receive their own copy of the formal publication. 

Internet Safety Category Topics

❖ Sexting

❖ Online sexual predators

❖ Scam Artists

❖ Cyber Bullies

❖ Misinformation and Bias

❖ Identify Theft Con Artists

❖ Cyber Stalkers

❖ Hate Group Recruiters (Gangs)

❖ Spam, Virus, Worm Hackers

1. ❖Violent Video Game Influences
   
   

Essay Guiding Questions

What is your perspective on your Internet safety category topic?

Do you feel that you are well informed about this topic?

Do you feel that your parents are well informed?

What about your friends?

What can schools or law enforcement do to help you, as a young adult be better informed about your chosen topic?

How does the Internet impact your world, both in school and outside of school?

What can schools or law enforcement do to help you, as a young adult be better informed about your chosen topic?

Contest Rules

Formatting Guidelines

1. ❖Grades 6-8: Essay submissions should be between 1000-1200 words and created on a word processor.
   

1. ❖Grades 9-12: Essay submissions should be between 1200-1500 words and created on a word processor.
   
   

❖ DO NOT include your name in the essay.

1. ❖Begin with the title first.  On the second line, type your chosen Internet Safety Category Topic.
   
   

❖ Your title and topic should not be included in your word count.

❖ Use Helvetica, Arial, or Times New Roman font size 12.

❖ Use 1” margins on all sides.

❖ Single space paragraphs.

❖ Acceptable document formats are .doc, .docx and .rtf.

1. ❖Do not use spaces or symbols except the underscore (_) in your filename.
   

♣Good filenames: lanimoo.doc       myipod_and_school.rtf

♣Not good filename: Lani moo.doc     My Ipod & School.rtf

Submission Guidelines - Download Entry Form

1. ❖Each student may submit up to three essays.
   

    Each submission must be on a different category topic.

oPlease note that each essay will need a separate student entry form; only one student publication/video release form is needed.

❖ Email your document as an attachment to mjv2010@hawaii.edu.

❖ Use the subject line “Submission for Internet Safety Essay Contest”.

❖ Include your name, school, grade level, and sponsoring educator’s name in the body of your message. Your sponsoring educator only needs to review your paperwork and essay for formatting prior to submission.

1. ❖Mail your completed and signed student entry form & student publication/video release form within 3 days of your email submission to the following address:
   

Deadline

❖ Essay emailed by November 15, 2010, 11:59pm Hawaii Standard Time

❖ Entry Form postmarked within 3 days following emailed date

If you have any questions, please call the MJV Internet Safety Project at:

(808) 956-9175 or email your questions to mjv2010@hawaii.edu.