The Internet is a tremendous network of information and multimedia. The variety and the vast amount of this information, and the ease with which they can get to it, make the Internet an invaluable resource for any student today. Allowing your child access to the Internet helps them practice finding, processing, and exchanging information - all valuable skills. The use of the Internet expands your child’s computer and information literacy skills and their understanding of the world around them. With the help and guidance of teachers, media specialists and parents alike, the online world can be an exciting and informative place for your child to learn and grow.

 

Here at Talbot, the Web is an important educational tool that we use on a daily basis. The Internet extends the walls of the media center for students into the classroom and home. In the media center, the computer labs and the classrooms, we take measures to keep your child safe as they use the Internet. We have an Acceptable Use Policy, a set of computer use rules, that is signed by students and parents at the beginning of the school year. The school district's filter blocks various Web sites that contain content that is unsuitable for students. And, students are monitored by an adult when using a computer.

 

Just as we take precautions at school to keep your child safe on the Internet, there are measures you can take at home to insure their safety. Here are some Internet safety tips for parents from the experts:

1. Be actively involved in your children's online experiences. Some of our students have a social networking site like Facebook that you may want to contribute to or monitor.
2. Place computers in high-traffic areas, not in a child's room.
3. Read unfamiliar e-mails. Monitor telephone and modem charges. Check out unfamiliar phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
4. Don't allow children to spend long periods of time on the computer, especially at night.
5. Help children understand that online users may not be who they say they are or who they seem to be. Get to know your children's Internet friends.
6. Tell children to report anything they come across online that seems strange or makes them uncomfortable and to tell you if they are asked personal questions or invited to personal meetings.
7. Tell children to report to you suggestive, obscene, or threatening e-mail or bulletin board messages. Forward copies to your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and insist they help deal with the problem.
8. Be concerned if children mention adults you don't know, become secretive, or appear to have inappropriate knowledge.
9. Post the Internet Safety Rules for Kids, shown below, by your computer.

 

 

Internet Safety Rules for Kids: Never give out personal information, such as your name, address, school name or address, or parents' or teachers' names or addresses, online. Never visit chat rooms or blog sites without permission. Never go to private chat rooms or meet new online friends in a private online setting. Never go to new Web sites without permission. Never respond to rude or offensive e-mail, instant messages, or postings. Never meet new online friends offline without a parent present. Always carefully considerany pictures or text that you post or send.  Always set your privacy settings on social networking sites to the most private setting available.

 

Suggested web sites on Internet safety: 
 

     NetSmartz Kids - A program from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

      http://www.netsmartzkids.org

 

        SafeFlorida from Florida's Attorney General
                http://www.safeflorida.net/safesurf

 

      About Kids Safety from Get net Wise

      http://kids.getnetwise.org/

 

Web Wise Kids for tweens and teens
      http://www.webwisekids.org/parents-teachers.html

      

       Safety Tips for Blogging and Social Networking Sites for tweens and teens

      http://www.connectsafely.org/Safety-Advice-Articles/facebook-privacy-chart-for-teens/Print.html

      http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/columnists/johnson/johnson009.shtml

  

More sites to visit:
http://www.safekids.com/

http://www2.disney.co.uk/DisneyOnline/Safesurfing/cybernetiquette/

http://www.fbi.gov/kids/k5th/safety2.htm

http://www.wiredkidz.org/

http://dmoz.org/Kids_and_Teens/Computers/Internet/Safety/

http://www.kidscomjr.com/games/safety/safety.html

 

Talbot Media Center August 2011