Internet SafetyPrepared by Donna Kirkland

January 2009

Life Experiences

• Students may be tech savvy.

• Adults have life experiences.

• Do NOT assume that students understand what is obvious to adults.

Strangers

• Everyone in Cyberspace is a stranger.

• Act accordingly.

Caution

• Caution is the key to a safe internet experience.

• Never give personal information or locations to other internet users.

• With websites like whitepages.com and mapquest.com, a phone number can bring a stalker to your doorstep.

Identification

• Do not list home address or phone.

• Use an initial instead of a name.

• Do not use obvious screen names.

Location

• Keep computers in open areas.

• All computers should be easily visible.

• As stated in the handbook, students are to use hardware and software under the direction and supervision of the teacher.

Who Owns this Site

• Be careful of websites with similar names.

• Check the owner of the website at www.whois.com

Site History

• Check the history of a website.

• The history and changes of a website can be viewed at www.archive.org

It’s Forever

• Once posted, written content has the potential to reach thousands.

• Posted content, becomes permanent.

• Many companies now look at online postings before hiring.

Websites

• Direct students to reliable websites.

• The first website on a search is not necessarily the most reliable.

• Check extensions when checking website reliability.

Extension Information

• Always note the extension.

• Not all extensions are restricted.

• Consider who is telling the story. Think American Revolution!

Spam

• Make students aware of false emails announcing that they have won a great prize.

• Caution students about opening emails from unknown people.

Tell, Tell, Tell

• Encourage students to tell a trusted adult of any questionable behavior they experience online.

• At school, notify the teacher if inappropriate content is displayed.

• Students should spend some cyber time with parents.

It’s a Secret

• Never share a password.

• A malicious user can can cause damage to your reputation.

• A strong password contains numbers and letters.

Observe

• Observe student behavior.

• Listen to students.• Watch for a change in

social skills.

History

• Check the history on the computer to see sites the user has visited.

• Check to see when the user visited the site.

• Check Recent Documents to see where the user has been working.

A Few Acronyms

• POS-Parent Over Shoulder

• ALS-Age,Location, Sex

• LMIRL-Let’s meet in real life

Internet Risks

• Financial • Psychological Safety• Inappropriate Material• Loss of Privacy• Predators

Real World Risks

• Financial • Psychological Safety• Inappropriate Material• Loss of Privacy• Predators

Benefits

• Instant Communication

• Research• Real Time Information• Entertainment

The Choice

• Follow school rules• Operate with caution.• Use reliable websites.• Be observant.• Remember that

everyone is a stranger in cyberspace.

Enjoy

• The internet provides may opportunities for adults and students.

• The internet should be enjoyed like other activities...with care.