Contest: $10,000 for winning Internet safety video

Security firm Trend Micro is launching its second annual "What's Your Story" contest to encourage youth and others to submit short videos on Internet safety and privacy.

Categories include being a good online citizen, using a cell phone wisely, and maintaining your online privacy.

The contest is open to anyone 13 and older in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., including students, teachers, and entire classrooms. In addition to the first-prize winner there will be six $500 prizes. Three will go to the best school entries in each category and three will go to the best individual entries for each category.

Judges will include representatives from a number of nonprofit organizations, including ConnectSafely.org where I serve as co-director. Trend Micro is a financial supporter of ConnectSafely.

The contest, said Trend Micro's Internet safety director Lynette Owens, "is designed to engage young people in the process of learning about these topics, but more importantly talking to each other about these projects." She added that it's "important to enable and encourage young people to get involved in their own Internet safety and the process of learning digital citizenship."

There is also a social and promotional aspect to the contest. In addition to the quality of the video, the judges will consider how well contestants promote their videos via social media and how many people view the videos and how they are rated on the contest's site.

The contest's Web site will have application materials, contest rules, categories, and videos of last year's winners. Entries can be submitted until April 5. Viewing and rating goes until April 12.

Last year's overall winner was "Overexposed," but be sure to also check out "Flame Fart Kid."