Keeping Safe While Traveling in Cyberspace

How many people, regardless of age, do you know who do not spend at least some of their time online? In fact, we are becoming a society of internet dependent people. The first PCs became available to consumers in the early 1970s and I’m sure not many could have imagined the impact that they would have on our lifestyle. Today consumers rely on their computers for so many daily tasks that they could not imagine their lives without their computer. People shop, do their banking, pay their bills, search for any kind of information, book travel arrangements, find their ancestry, amuse their children while they tend to other chores, do their bookkeeping and scheduling, and communicate with each other, all from the privacy of their home or workplace.

But along with these life changing technological timesavers, come new dangers for consumers of all ages. The cases of identity theft are on the rise, as is the number of children predators and subsequently children victims. No one at any age is safe from cyber crimes. Our addiction to computer use has given rise to a vulnerability that we as a society, as parents, and as educators must address. Our global society has told us that we need to expose children today at an early age to the benefits and positive successes that technology brings. It is our responsibility to our children and their achievement and productivity to make sure that they have access to all that computer use can offer them to help them compete in a 21st Century global community. But we will be failing them if we don’t at the same time alert them to the dangers of functioning in cyberspace and continually educate them in practices of safe internet use and etiquette.

With this in mind, I have developed one of many possible student presentations with the purpose of alerting the student population of the dangers lurking on the internet. The presentations will only be effective if they are coupled with continual in class reinforcement of the important things to remember and internet use that will potentially expose them to some of the dangers but with teacher supervision to address any issues, concerns, or questions from the students. Another part of the plan is to have the older students research and organize their own presentation of caution and advice which they will present to the younger students of our school. We can never do too much to ensure the safety of our children in our technologically advanced global community.

Annotated Bibliography of Informative Websites



www.netsmartz.org/

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children sponsors this interactive site dedicated to internet safety education for parents, teachers, and children. Its goal is to make children aware of the dangers they can encounter with internet use, to teach them to be cautious when dealing with strangers online, and to encourage them to report any uneasy situations to their parents or other adults. Kids are told to UYN ("Use Your NetSmartz") when it comes to dealing with situations on the internet. The site offers music, games, activities, and videos to help teach internet safety.


http://www.safekids.com/

Larry Magid, author of the 1994 brochure entitled “Child Safety on the Information Highway”, created this site dedicated to the education of children in internet safety and civility. The site is separated into sections for teens, kids, and parents. Menu bar takes viewers to more pages of safety tips which include cell phone as well as social web safety and blogs about Cyber Safety themes. Kids can take the online quiz to see how much they know about online safety Online Safety Quiz.


www.bullying.org

This site started by Bill Belsey is perhaps the most frequently visited site devoted to the prevention of cyberbullying through awareness and safety education. The site makes available resources and educational programs for educational institutions and other organizations and private families. Sections include facts and myths about bullying and places victims can turn to for help. There is also a Helpful Resource page where you can contribute resources such as multimedia presentations, books, or articles.


http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying

The National Crime Prevention Council sponsors this site supporting their campaign against cyberbullying. The site offers help to those who have been victims of cyberbullying and useful tips on how to prevent it from happening. There are links to other sites to inform kids of their rights and offering more awareness and prevention tips.


http://www.cyberbullying.us/

The Cyberbullying Research Center offers updated information on what is new at the research center including latest publication entries. There are also updated lists of Blogs on the subject of cyberbullying and headlines from around the world. The site has so much to read to help stay in tune with what is happening worldwide.

http://www.stopcyberbullying.org
Stopcyberbullying.org is another informational awareness website. It offers a flash presentation of a cyberbully typing out messages to his victim. The messages are chilling when you think that a child could be on the receiving end of them. It covers what cyberbullying is, how and why it works, steps to prevention and taking action, and laws against cyberbullying.

http://www.cyberbullying.org/

This site believes as others do that awareness of the problem and education as to what can be one to prevent it, are the keys to controlling cyberbullying. Flash messages of facts and encouragement appear as you enter the site. The menu bar offers links to facts, informational resources, and contact information.



http://www.commonsense.com/internet-safety-tips/tips-for-kids.php

This is a non profit Internet Survival Guide with a section directed towards kids and teens and one specifically for parents and teachers. Tips on internet safety at every age and every stage of development are included and also a downloadable guide for parents.