Staying Safe Online
Internet safety isn’t about being told what to and what not to do, it’s about trying to be sure you have a good time online without being ripped off, bullied, scammed, disrespected, or stalked. Even though I’m sure most of my students have already spent countless hours online, using the internet at school or for school related activities or research requires some additional safety measures and precautions. Also, many students and parents are unaware how to be and to what extent to be cautious on the internet. Most students do not realize how readily accessible their personal information is to internet researchers. See the video below from netsmartz to see how quickly your personal information can be accessed. As a student it is important to think for yourself what personal information you do and do not want in the cyberworld. As a parent, it is important to monitor your student to help and be a part of that decision making processes.
There will be times when you the student will be making important disclosure and behavioral decisions all on your own. My hope is that you will think for yourself in these situations and not be bullied or pressured into crossing your personal moral lines. While the internet, online gaming, and social media are excellent sources for research, entertainment, and keeping in touch, there are ways in which students can unknowingly share too much information or be too trusting thus putting their safety and risk. There can also be unforeseen peer pressures to join in with what other students are doing and showing and sharing online. In many ways, the internet and social media has become the new source of peer pressure. As a student, it is important to keep your own life goals and morals when making decisions about what to do online. As a parent, it is important to monitor your student and assist in this decision making process by having an open line of communication about how to behave online.
Below are some links of some useful internet safety sights for students and their parents.
There will be times when you the student will be making important disclosure and behavioral decisions all on your own. My hope is that you will think for yourself in these situations and not be bullied or pressured into crossing your personal moral lines. While the internet, online gaming, and social media are excellent sources for research, entertainment, and keeping in touch, there are ways in which students can unknowingly share too much information or be too trusting thus putting their safety and risk. There can also be unforeseen peer pressures to join in with what other students are doing and showing and sharing online. In many ways, the internet and social media has become the new source of peer pressure. As a student, it is important to keep your own life goals and morals when making decisions about what to do online. As a parent, it is important to monitor your student and assist in this decision making process by having an open line of communication about how to behave online.
Below are some links of some useful internet safety sights for students and their parents.
A Thin Line
This is a great site for students looking to avoid digital drama. It was created as a collaboration between MTV and students across the nation as a resource for students to speak about their expectations and experiences with online issues such as spying, digital disrespect, sexting, and cruelty. It provides information about potential dangers online, as well as ways to avoid, stop, and report undesirable cyber behavior. There is a place to share stories, post about action you have taken, and support to help you take control of your online experience. This site is useful to both students and parents to stay up to date on the safety issues faced by students online.
Netsmartz
Netsmartz has many resources listed specifically for parents, teens, kids, and educators. The video below, 6 Degrees of Information, shows just how easily accessible personal information is to internet searchers. This is important for students to understand the dangers of sharing so much personal information online. What makes this site unique is that it also shows how easy it is to link student information to what parents sometimes share about the students on personal blogs. All of this seems like harmless blogging, gaming, and socializing, but it is easy to see how this harmless information can be misused to bully or take advantaged of well intentioned people. Watch the video or click on the link to explore the site.
NY State Division of Criminal Justice
This site is primarily for parents to be warned and to be made more aware of the special dangers their kids face online. I specifically like the links on the right side of the page which provide detailed information about specific online activities such as blogging, IM, chat rooms, and email. The links provide information about what each of these activities means, about the potential dangers faced, and about what actions you as a parent can take to ensure your child’s safety. There is also a link to basic rules which are an excellent general starting point for discussing online expectations and safety with your child. The powerpoint presentation 'Internet Safety - A Parent's Guide to the Internet,' although a little outdated, also goes into great detail about dangers faced online and about how to set up online guidelines.