Last week, online protection company Trend Micro announced the winners of its second annual “What’s Your Story?” video contest aiming to help youth spread awareness about how to be safe online. The contest was sponsored by the company’s “Internet Safety for Kids & Families” section that provides information and tips for families to be smart and safe when using social networks and other sites. The organization also has an employee volunteer program, provides grants and donations to other organizations with a similar message, and offers educational programs. The purpose of the contest was to empower youth to be leaders in online education, and to raise awareness of different online dangers including cyberbullying and online reputation damage.

The grand prize went to Tyler Joseph and Mark C. Eshleman, both 22, from Westerville, OH. Their simple but powerful video features duct tape, an empty room, and a spoken word poem about the positive and negative ways people spend time on social networks. The poem addresses the serious consequences that can result from rumors, gossip, and other reputation damaging words posted online, including teen suicide. Check out their winning video below, and click here to see all of the entries.

Lynette Owens, director and founder of the “Internet Safety for Kids & Families” initiative, said that all videos “sought to inspire and educate young people everywhere on the issues surrounding internet safety.” The videos entered in the contest have been shared in schools and by internet safety activists to encourage conversations about safe online practices, and discuss how to use the internet and social networks in a positive way. Tyler Joseph, featured in the winning video, provides a good example of staying on the positive side of the line when spending time on the Internet, and hopefully the winners’ message will resonate with other youths active online.

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