Depending on your point of view, the dangers of internet use among young people are either unsupported by data, overhyped by the media, or life threatening, as this recent cyberbullying incident in Connecticut reveals. Regardless of the danger level, Richardson (2010) points out that school teachers who require students to publish content to the web have an obligation to teach internet safety.
To keep students safe I recommend that school systems incorporate some type of responsible use policy that identifies how (and how not) students should be expected to use the internet. Require signatures from students and parents at the beginning of the year consenting to appropriate use. Show a video to students who might struggle with reading, and be done with it. Perhaps show the video and consent form again mid-way through the year to refresh students’ memories. A simple internet search using keywords internet safety guidelines produces page after page after page of common sense information that may be included in the consent from. Here’s a whittled it down list of recommendations:
- On line communications are permitted at school with permission from your teacher.
- Never arrange a meeting with someone you meet online.
- Always tell a teacher if you see an appropriate site being used.
- Never create, send, or post things that are:
1. Damaging to another person’s reputation
2. Abusive or obscene
3. Threatening or demeaning to another person
4. Harassing
5. Illegal
6. Sexually oriented
- Never share your user name or password with another person, even if you trust them
- Do not use the log in or password of another person
- Use “middle school student” search engines only. You must have permission to use Google.
I work in a district that has received federal funding to incorporate BYOT into their daily practice. District leaders have meticulously considered the legal ramifications of technology use in their schools and internet safety is a major component. “Cyberbullying” seems to be a perpetual topic. Students hear about it in homeroom four times per year. They hear about it on morning announcements at least twice a week. They spend a week in computer literacy class studying it, and they spend time in Health class studying it.
The results of the overdose on internet safety is that our plan works! We’ve never had any serious internet security related issues to deal with in the 4 years the school has been open. In my building inappropriate use of the internet is usually nothing more than a student texting, taking pictures, or posting to Instagram when they should be completing assignments. These problems can be easily remedied by taking the student’s cell phone away.
Outside the building internet safety is a different story, which is why I’m a proponent of organizations like commonsensemedia.org. They are a non-profit organization who provides information related to education and technology. They produced this article for parents to help their children with online safety and responsibility. While they welcome technology in the classroom their mission underscores my belief that Internet safety should primarily be parent’s responsibility. Just as parents teach their children to look both ways before crossing the street or by responding with “Yes, sir” or “Yes, ma’am” when talking to adults, they should teach their children about the dangers and proper use of the internet. It’s called good manners and common sense.
Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful Web tools for classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Publishers.
To keep students safe I recommend that school systems incorporate some type of responsible use policy that identifies how (and how not) students should be expected to use the internet. Require signatures from students and parents at the beginning of the year consenting to appropriate use. Show a video to students who might struggle with reading, and be done with it. Perhaps show the video and consent form again mid-way through the year to refresh students’ memories. A simple internet search using keywords internet safety guidelines produces page after page after page of common sense information that may be included in the consent from. Here’s a whittled it down list of recommendations:
- On line communications are permitted at school with permission from your teacher.
- Never arrange a meeting with someone you meet online.
- Always tell a teacher if you see an appropriate site being used.
- Never create, send, or post things that are:
1. Damaging to another person’s reputation
2. Abusive or obscene
3. Threatening or demeaning to another person
4. Harassing
5. Illegal
6. Sexually oriented
- Never share your user name or password with another person, even if you trust them
- Do not use the log in or password of another person
- Use “middle school student” search engines only. You must have permission to use Google.
I work in a district that has received federal funding to incorporate BYOT into their daily practice. District leaders have meticulously considered the legal ramifications of technology use in their schools and internet safety is a major component. “Cyberbullying” seems to be a perpetual topic. Students hear about it in homeroom four times per year. They hear about it on morning announcements at least twice a week. They spend a week in computer literacy class studying it, and they spend time in Health class studying it.
The results of the overdose on internet safety is that our plan works! We’ve never had any serious internet security related issues to deal with in the 4 years the school has been open. In my building inappropriate use of the internet is usually nothing more than a student texting, taking pictures, or posting to Instagram when they should be completing assignments. These problems can be easily remedied by taking the student’s cell phone away.
Outside the building internet safety is a different story, which is why I’m a proponent of organizations like commonsensemedia.org. They are a non-profit organization who provides information related to education and technology. They produced this article for parents to help their children with online safety and responsibility. While they welcome technology in the classroom their mission underscores my belief that Internet safety should primarily be parent’s responsibility. Just as parents teach their children to look both ways before crossing the street or by responding with “Yes, sir” or “Yes, ma’am” when talking to adults, they should teach their children about the dangers and proper use of the internet. It’s called good manners and common sense.
Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful Web tools for classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Publishers.