Safety on the Internet
As our world becomes more digital, it is important that we discuss internet safety with our students and children. While researching online, I found a few basic rules about working online:
1. Never talk to strangers. Just like in real life, we need to instill in our students/children that it is not ok to chat, IM, or converse with anyone we don't know.
2. Don't Overshare. It is not okay to exchange personal information (your name, where you live or go to school, siblings names, photos, etc.) with people you don't know.
3. Never tell your location. Turn off Location Services settings in your devices so you cannot be tracked by people you are talking with online.
There should always be limits to the internet. In my own home, there are limits to where kids are allowed to be online, (only in family gathering areas: living room, family room, and kitchen) specific limitations on which sites they are allowed to be using, and time constraints. I have found, in my own home that these rules are not binding and make my kids feel irresponsible. In fact, they are just the opposite. The limitations that have been set for my kids help them feel MORE responsible as they are given more privileges (web accessibility and time) as they show they are using their current privileges wisely.
Computers should be in high traffic areas so there can be another set of eyes at all times. If there is something questionable happening, a teacher or parent can step in without a scene being made and embarrassing a child that may not have been responsible for the content that popped up on their screen.
As students/children get more access to the internet, there should be a constant and consistent dialogue about what is appropriate online. A good way to see how a student uses the internet is to sit down with them as they peruse the web and use social networking to see the types of sites, topics, and activities they enjoy participating online. You can make note of areas that could become a concern and be sure to follow up on those areas and activities.
In addition to the previous basic rules, there are some concerns we should all have. There is a particular need to teach our students about:
As we all continue to grow in our abilities and opportunities to use the internet and all its wonders, we need to be sure that our student's and children's safety is our number one priority.
Resources
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/video/modal/4878056
http://www.safekids.com/kids-rules-for-online-safety/
http://www.netsmartz.org/InternetSafety
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/safety_crisis_management/internet_safety/guidelines_resources.pdf
1. Never talk to strangers. Just like in real life, we need to instill in our students/children that it is not ok to chat, IM, or converse with anyone we don't know.
2. Don't Overshare. It is not okay to exchange personal information (your name, where you live or go to school, siblings names, photos, etc.) with people you don't know.
3. Never tell your location. Turn off Location Services settings in your devices so you cannot be tracked by people you are talking with online.
There should always be limits to the internet. In my own home, there are limits to where kids are allowed to be online, (only in family gathering areas: living room, family room, and kitchen) specific limitations on which sites they are allowed to be using, and time constraints. I have found, in my own home that these rules are not binding and make my kids feel irresponsible. In fact, they are just the opposite. The limitations that have been set for my kids help them feel MORE responsible as they are given more privileges (web accessibility and time) as they show they are using their current privileges wisely.
Computers should be in high traffic areas so there can be another set of eyes at all times. If there is something questionable happening, a teacher or parent can step in without a scene being made and embarrassing a child that may not have been responsible for the content that popped up on their screen.
As students/children get more access to the internet, there should be a constant and consistent dialogue about what is appropriate online. A good way to see how a student uses the internet is to sit down with them as they peruse the web and use social networking to see the types of sites, topics, and activities they enjoy participating online. You can make note of areas that could become a concern and be sure to follow up on those areas and activities.
In addition to the previous basic rules, there are some concerns we should all have. There is a particular need to teach our students about:
- Cyberbullying and its affect on victims
- Sexual predators
- Identity theft
- Gaming appropriately
As we all continue to grow in our abilities and opportunities to use the internet and all its wonders, we need to be sure that our student's and children's safety is our number one priority.
Resources
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/video/modal/4878056
http://www.safekids.com/kids-rules-for-online-safety/
http://www.netsmartz.org/InternetSafety
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/safety_crisis_management/internet_safety/guidelines_resources.pdf