Parents, Guardians, and fellow Teachers, As our students are using the Interent and technology more and more frequently, it is our jobs to help make sure that our children and students are safe while using these resources. Below I have compiled several links that might help us in discussing these important issues. If you have found great resources that I have not included, I would appreciate it if you would send me the information through my contact form so I can add it to this list!
The first resource in this section, Internet Guidelines, is tailored to education in Virginia, but it still gives all parents, guardians, and educators a book-length overview of a majority of the Internet safety issues that need to be discussed with students as well as other links for more information on specific issues. The other links discuss Internet safety, privacy, and safe conduct in general for online interactions.
SafeKids is an online resource that provides tips on helping teens maintain their privacy and safety while engaging in online interactions and using electronic devices.
Finally, Common Sense Media also provides us several articles, short videos, and discussion boards addressing various issues surrounding children/teens and Internet safety.
Cyberbullying
In dealing with cyberbullying during online interactions, Common Sense Media also provides articles, videos, and other information dealing with this prevalent issue.
One issue associated with cyberbullying is the freedom of speech and how far it protects against online harrassment. The Family Online Safety Institute provides a thoughtful article by Emma Morris on harrassment, online abuse, and digital responsibilities pertaining to the freedom of speech online.
SafeKids also provides a list of how children and teens can help stop the cyberbullying epidemic and how to react if one is a victim of bullying.
Technology Addiction
Another issue dealing with Internet safety that many parents, guardians, and educators do not consider as problems is Technology Addiction. Common Sense Media provides several resources to help parents and children balance their technology usage before it becomes a major problem.
Digital Parenting
Finally, digital parenting tips can not only help address several aspects that were mentioned above, but also provide guidance on specific Internet Safety issues that might not have been mentioned here. Several of the sources can be broken down by issue, age range, and resource, such as videos or articles. A few helpful resource links on trending Internet safety topics include: