II. Exploring Internet Safety
April 22, 2008There is so much to be learned about internet safety in such a small amount of time. Your job is to find a video, website or other resource to share with the rest of the class dealing with internet safety. Why did you choose this source? What can teachers learn about internet safety from this source? As a future teachers how will you enforce internet safety in your classroom? With sites such as facebook and myspace being very popular trends, do you think it is our job as teachers to teach students the right ways in which they should be interacting online?
Computer Technology in the Classroom (S08) 
This video is really short but I thought it got to the point. In dealing with new social networking sites like facebook and myspace I definitely think it is important for teachers to teach students how they shoudl be interacting online. As future teachers, we have the upper hand when it comes to such social networking tools that other teachers and parents may not know. I know no one in my family knows anything about facebook or myspace, so coming into the classroom with this knowledge puts us in a situation where we can and should teach students how to be safe on such networks. I think this imovie can teach other teachers that even websites that are widely popular and trendy can be really unsafe, and that there are things one shoudl conceal when creating a social networking account, because you really don’t know who will be looking at your page. -Autumn
This video is really good and so dramatic, which usually gets the point across. I chose it because I thought it would be a good video to have as future teachers, since it’s easy to see the trouble on its way. Although, a bit cheesy, this video gives an example of some of the scares of internet safety.
Ahhh..to answer your other question, I’m actually not sure if it is our job and future teachers to teach kids about internet safety. I sort of think it is their parents job to teach them, and our job to enforce and use them. If using technology in the classroom (which I think a lot of us are going to be) I think its important to hand out a list of expectations and rules to the students ANd mail one home to the family so they can see that you have noted and informed students about the rules and dangers.
http://www.cybersmart.org/for/teachers.asp
This site has lessons plans on how to teach children how to be smart on line and how to use sites positively. One lesson is about Social networking, we talked about this a little bit with blogging with students. I think it’s an important talk to have with students because it will effect their media literacy. I think as a teacher, esp. in upper ed. I think we have to give students the tools to be smart on line and then allow them to surf the net. We cannot hold them back from exploring the online world. They need to be taught respectable search terms and how to surf the net properly.
I took a different approach than the standard safety of what students are looking at or online predators. The website I found discusses useful tips for both teens and parents on the website. One aspect that was mentioned that I hadn’t thought of was posting negative comments about other people online. “Remember this important rule of life: you get back what you give! Posting information that can damage another person’s reputation is called libel and can have legal ramification as well as result in some kind of online pay back. Arguments which bleed out of control often spill into school and out into the community.” Someone posting a negative comment online can have a major impact of the classroom environment, especially if they post on a school related internet activity (such as the blog incident in the guest speakers instant)The site is: http://www.d128.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=122
They also include other links for safety tips.
I agree with both Autumn and Jessica’s points. I feel that it’s not just a teacher’s role but a parents as well. As Autumn said, because we have used myspace and facebook we are able to have a much better understanding of students and their uses. We can teach them how to post things that are appropriate and use the settings on the sites to stay protected. At school we can only control what is going on in the classroom and give them tips and tools to help keep them safe, at home it then becomes the parents job to monitor what they are doing online. I know when I was in highschool I had to use the family computer in a main area where my parents could be aware of what I was doing & they were always asking questions about who I was talking to and why (they still do) but I appreciated them at least caring about what I was doing.
Just to bring the argument back to things we have covered over this semester; It is the educators job to teach children about internet safety. The skills of ELA (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking)need to incorporate media literacy. A student with the proper critical skills will be able to navigate the internet in an intelligent way. If ELA teachers develop this, students will be able to determine for themselves what they can see. This would make give the teacher the role of faciltator, rather a person scurying around the classroom making sure students don’t see any full frontal. This also pertains to censorship, and why it is not a solution. This New York Times article is very informative. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/09/technology/09link.html?ex=1318046400&en=e311caef3c3cf222&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
And Bree, I defintley agree that it begins with the parents. They have authority over what they want their child exposed to and have every right to censor them. But once the child is in the classroom, it becomes the teachers job to make the child “literate” in regards to the internet.
-Bryan Welsh
http://www.netsmartz.org/
I was going to research another website to share but I realized I just really liked this website that I wrote about on the first blog. I hope that everyone takes a good look at it, I think it can be very useful in the future. I just think that many parents neglect the fact that their children have access to many websites that they should not be viewing. By not assessing the issue at all some children may think it’s okay for them to visit some sites. For example, I remember learning in middle school about the racism and my teacher zoned in especially on neo-nazi’s of today as an example. She told us this example and handed out copies of the website page with the http completely blacked out so that we weren’t able to visit these particular sites. She explained to us that sites like these can be brainwashing and are extremely dangerous, so we must make sure we never visit them. When I look back I really think she took the complete wrong approach with this topic. I think the way she presented it to the class made it almost tempting to look at these sites and if students don’t have the adult supervision at home then they will look at these sites. I know it’s important to educate our students about these topics but I think before you introduce an idea like this involving the internet we must educate our students beforehand. Because showing them only one aspect that we call bad or unacceptable may not be taken as serious by them unless we fully explain.
Although this video is more targeted towards younger students, I still think it is important to watch because it stresses the fact that filters and security programs that are installed on computers are not always successful in blocking inappropriate materials. Like Ernie Allen states, “One of the challenges of filters is that many filters block more than you want to block.” This unfortunately is true especially when I was in high school. I remember trying to research for my paper and I couldn’t access valuable information because my topic was so controversial that the school had blocked the websites that I needed to view. This could cause problems for students who don’t have access to a computer at home because where are they going to be able to do their research if basically everything is blocked by the filters? Obviously we want our students to be safe in navigating the internet and we can instill good judgmental skills, but we cannot always be looking over their shoulder to monitor them. That would be basically suffocating to them and not allow them to grow as individuals who have common sense. And as Bree stated above, and the video points this out as well, that parents need to be involved and aware that the internet, although a very useful and educational source, could also be a danger zone for vulnerable students. Even though parents are not always up to date with technology they could still talk with their children about the dangers that could be lingering around every time they sign on to the internet. Teachers could also send sources home on the first day that help to raise awareness for the parents and to notify them that throughout the year, students will be required to use the internet so therefore the parents should make sure that they talk with their child about safety. I feel like there needs to be a strong and trusting relationship as well as communication between the teacher and parent, so that they can work together to help educate their children in more than just one way.
video:
I found this article: http://www.betanews.com/article/Should_kids_be_taught_Internet_safety_in_schools/1207694301
Jacqueline Emigh on this site writes about how Virginia has passed legislation for a course in internet safety. It is as of 2006 a requirement for Virginia schools to teach an internet safety course that follows state guidelines.
“The new law adds a requirement that “acceptable Internet use” policies already developed by division school superintendents must now include a component on Internet safety for students, created in alignment with guidelines set by the state’s superintendent of public instruction.”
I really like this, because it reinforces internet safety on a daily basis. Emigh writes that students might sneer at the course, laughing at its seemingly silly content, but it is now law nonetheless. I think students always pull at least a little bit out of every class, and this is a class much needed.
I will implement a section on internet safety into my course, especially if an internet project of some sort is coming up. I will not however ban any part of the internet. -gg
I found this article: http://www.betanews.com/article/Should_kids_be_taught_Internet_safety_in_schools/1207694301
It explains how Virginia has passed legislation for a mandatory internet safety course in its schools. I think this is a great idea, because like Emigh says, even though students may jeet at the course, like they have at health courses in the past, but nonetheless it is now a law.
“The new law adds a requirement that acceptable Internet use policies already developed by division school superintendents must now include a component on Internet safety for students, created in alignment with guidelines set by the state’s superintendent of public instruction.”
I will include a section on internet safety in my course, especially a week or two before an internet-based project. I will never ban the internet, however. Kids need full access, but to know what is good and what is garbage. -gg
Once I read this, I immediately thought of Dateline’s “To Catch a Predator.” If you are unfamilar with the show, people go online and engage in conversations with underage people. They usually discuss sexual activity and/or drugs. The predator is then invited to the house, where the host, Chris Hanson, talks with the predator in what the intentions were. It is then revealed that it is a television show. When the predator leaves, he is arrested.
I chose this source because it shows how serious internet safety is. There are so many people out there trying to engage with children. With myspace and facebook, this engagement has been made easier. Personallly, I never knew how serious this was before I saw the show. From this source, teachers can see hoe significant this problem is, and incorporate internet safety into the classroom. They can even use footage from the show to do so. I believe it makes this real for the students. With the implementation of myspace and facebook, I believe that it is essential for us as teachers to teach students internet safety. We must show that it is a real threat to our students.
Video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=qVLT26CMzk4
Alexis
I think without a doubt it is not only important but essential to teach our children about the dangers of the internet, meaning the sick predators who target children and teens as Alexis discusses in referencing “to catch a predator”
On the other hand though, we have to as a society figure out a way to deal with these parasites without punishing our children, the innocent ones in all of this, because while it is alright for parents to look out for their children and to educate them, it is often detrimental to be over protective and reactionary.
On this note here is a startling statistic which I found that applys to this very area:
“Sex offenders have been shown to have recidivism rates far higher than those who commit other types of crimes.
According to the state Division for Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), there are 424 registered sex offenders in Broome County, 124 in Chenango County, 113 in Cortland County, 92 in Tioga County, 107 in Tompkins County, 167 in Chemung County and 63 in Otsego County.”http://www.gobroomecounty.com/press/20080222.php
The website listed below talks about punishing the sex offenders by enacting new laws to regulate their internet access. Personally I don’t think they should even be allowed on the internet without being monitored. We need to demand that our legislatures and law makers start punishing the criminals!!!
What do you guys think?
-Frank-
I could not agree more Frank and Alexis. As a mom of a eleven and twelve year old I am in constant fear that someone will prey upon my children. I am crazy and tell them all about the weirdos. i will not allow them to go to myspace or facebook, but I do allow them to use instant messaging. Once my daughter was talking to a boy she didn’t know from fifty miles away. I kind of read what they were saying and it appeared to be from a 11 year old, but you never know. It is such a fine balance between allowing your pre-teen to much access and not enough. Together we just watched this video and I think it is appropriate for all students: http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=764c8e3a691fa2b3a321
To answer the question about whose responsibility it is to teach students about internet safety, I think it was Hillary Clinton who once said that “It takes a whole village to raise a child”. I work with children everyday and to me it just seems natural to steer them in the right direction. Why wouldn’t you? To me teaching a student internet safety is a life skill and if it prevents one student from harms way, awesome. There is not room to point fingers and say whose job it is. It is a collaborative effort between parents and teachers, in fact many parents might be digital immigrants or not have a clue what’s going on , as teachers we should.
I agree with Meghan and Bryan: it’s the TEACHER’S job to educate the stuents about internet safety. We cannot rely on parents to do so because some parents either don’t care or don’t know about all the dangers. Of course, we can do our best to get the parents involved and should definitely communicate with them, but there are just no guarentees that they will have an active role which is why we need to.
Here is the website I found: http://www.connectsafely.org/videos
It has two videos on it. The first one is about a girl who has a cyber boyfriend. While her parents seem concerned, they don’t really understand “that internet thing.” This makes the point that even the parents with the best intentions cannot necessary teach their kids about internet safety. The other video is about a girl who has bad clips of herself partying online and the woman she is babysitting for sees it. These clips helped me to see that teachers should help students learn the correct and safe ways to interact online.
Can I just say that you all are really amazing?!!!
I have never been so impressed with a group of preservice teachers — anticipating and discussing in earnest, with such passion, intelligence, integrity, and truly awesome creativity, the ethical and pedagogical issues that you’re all dealing with here (and elsewhere on this blog). And I’m NOT exaggerating!
Of course, the credit goes in part to the “teachers” who posed the question that got this discussion going in the first place: nice post Kaitlyn and Jackie!
— Dr. S.
http://www.wiredsafety.org/educators.html
Wow! I think that this site is a great “headquarters” of sorts for anything that has to do with internet safety! There are sections for parents, educators/librarians, law enforcment, etc., and they are CHOCK FULL O’ LINKS! So many other sources can be found through this site, and I think it’s great because browsers can easily access such an array of information!
DEFINITELY check this one out!
We definitely need to take responsibility for teaching our students the dangers, AND the perks of the internet. I believe this is also the responsibility of parents and other adults, but if students are not getting such support elsewhere, we MUST give it to them!
Krystina
I’m sorry this might seem out of place on the blog, but I attempted to post this Tuesday morning and it didn’t go through for some reason.
I found this article: http://www.betanews.com/article/Should_kids_be_taught_Internet_safety_in_schools/1207694301
It explains how Virginia has passed legislation for a mandatory internet safety course in its schools. I think this is a great idea, because like Emigh says, even though students may jeet at the course, like they have at health courses in the past, but nonetheless it is now a law.
“The new law adds a requirement that acceptable Internet use policies already developed by division school superintendents must now include a component on Internet safety for students, created in alignment with guidelines set by the state’s superintendent of public instruction.”
I will include a section on internet safety in my course, especially a week or two before an internet-based project. I will never ban the internet, however. Kids need full access, but to know what is good and what is garbage. -gg
I was just surfing around and discovered this video about a boy who hung himself because of cyberbullying. It’s disturbing yet thought provoking and ties in with our discussion on who should be teaching students about the internet: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6347669971160837644&q=&hl=en
I found this video which is a brief newsclip about an internet program which monitors web usage. The video is somewhat cheesy the way it provides interviews of young teenage girls speaking about their realization of the dangers of the internet. The video mentions the high percentage of sexual solicitaion that occurs online involving young teens and kids. More than anything, it made me realize that, as Jessica had asked, I think that parents need to enforce internet safety at home as well. There are only so many steps teachers can provide on how to use the internet correctly and only hope that each students uses those directions when the school day is over. I think when the internet is used for leisure there becomes more chances of dangerous use for “curiosities sake”. I’d like to think that any student would the internet as a source for knowledge in an educational setting contrary to the way he or she may use it at times of leisure.
I tried to post this on the 23rd, but it wouldn’t allow me to – it signed me off. I’ve contacted wordpress help…
I found this article: http://www.betanews.com/article/Should_kids_be_taught_Internet_safety_in_schools/1207694301
It explains how Virginia has passed legislation for a mandatory internet safety course in its schools. I think this is a great idea, because like Emigh says, even though students may jeet at the course, like they have at health courses in the past, but nonetheless it is now a law.
“The new law adds a requirement that acceptable Internet use policies already developed by division school superintendents must now include a component on Internet safety for students, created in alignment with guidelines set by the state’s superintendent of public instruction.”
I will include a section on internet safety in my course, especially a week or two before an internet-based project. I will never ban the internet, however. Kids need full access, but to know what is good and what is garbage. -gg
For a fun way to teach internet and social networking safety, here’s a unit that includes an instructional video and a quiz. It’s aimed at middle school and up.
http://www.auntlee.com/safety/
The video is a selection of silly clips supposedly posted to the MySpace pages of the famous auntlee.com puppy and some of her friends. The clips demonstrate mistakes kids can make – the clips and the quiz serve as a jumpstart to further discussions.
Kids can take the interactive Flash version online, or you can download a .pdf document and print it as a handout. The 10 question quiz covers the topics of cyber-bullying, privacy, safety, dangers of spyware and malware, etc.
The quiz doesn’t really focus on stranger-danger type concerns but rather gently and humorously reminds the reader that it’s possible to hurt people’s feelings, to mislead people who don’t realize you’re joking, to remember that online postings can be seen by anybody and that postings are often impossible to remove once posted.