Tip: Recently, I spoke with a technology coordinator who had just completed a month-long Internet Safety unit for fifth graders. Here is what she had to say about her students and the lessons learned. “I think the most interesting thing is how stunned I was with how much our students are already experiencing the Internet, e-mail, chat rooms, etc. Not all of the students, but at least half of them by fifth grade have experienced all of those things, and two-thirds of them have experienced some of them. They also demonstrated a very healthy level of fear and I could tell that at this age they were all ears. That was another reason that I felt totally encouraged about adding it to our curriculum, because I know in a couple of years many of them will think they "know it all" and won't be so attentive.”
- How to Tell if Social Media Is Harming Your Mental Health
This guide provides practical advice on:
- Identifying and managing the negative impacts of social media on mental health.
- Insights on cyberbullying as the chief reason for social media's harmful effects on mental health.
- How social media can stir feelings of loneliness and anxiety.
Keeping Safe in Cyberspace
The Internet has changed the way students learn and communicate. With the click of a mouse they can instantly message one another, work together on projects, download all kinds of multimedia files, and post to blogs, Websites, and RSS feeds. Access to people and information enhances instruction, but what happens when the "dark side of the Internet" sneaks around the corner and into the classroom or home? You have seen the stories on television about chat rooms, read about incidents in the newspaper where kids have been lured to meet strangers, and read the research in magazines about social networking and cyber bullying (See the articles from Multimedia and Internet @Schools magazine, Social Networking: A New Tech Tool and a New Security Concern for Teens and Schools May/June 2006 and Social Networking, Part 2: A Toolkit for Teachers July/August 2006). Keeping kids safe must be an ongoing effort through awareness, education and supervision. Consider implementing an Internet Safety program in your school or community.
The top three safety solutions in 'Keeping Kids Safe in the World of Technology' are Education, Supervision, and Software." (Uhrenholt, Linda. (1998). Keeping Kids Safe!)
Content Rating Sites
Many sites appear to be good on the surface until you hit a link that goes somewhere you don't want your students to visit. Organizations like the Internet Content Rating Association and SafeSurf have developed rating systems as a means to keep the Internet safe for kids and parents. However, very few sites are using these rating systems.
- Internet Content Rating Association
ICRA, a non-profit organization, allows content providers to add a free rating label to their Website by filling out a questionnaire based on the Platform for Internet Content Selection (PICS). For an additional fee, the site is checked and added to a database as an ICRA trusted site. Parents can use the free ICRAplus (Windows only) with other filtering software to screen sites based on this rating system.
- SafeSurf
SafeSurf founded the Platform for Internet Content Selection (PICS) that allows parents to set passwords and levels for their children. The SafeSurf Rating Standard gives content providers the ability to rate their Website and place Metadata into their pages. PICS compliant software then reads these settings to filter content.
- U.S. Map of Filtering Laws
Find information that includes a state-by-state interactive map of the US internet filtering laws, that will allow parents to easily view if their child is protected on publicly funded schools and libraries in their state. They also include advice for how one can further protect their child once they are at home such as enabling their ISP parental control features, and blocking websites and keywords:
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites.
- Bullying in the U.S. - Rates, Tips and Resources
The page has some great information on Bullying in the U.S with links to other resources. It is also easy for students to read and comprehand.
- Bullying Resources for Educators and Parents
Bullying is formally defined as unwanted aggressive behavior by another youth or group of youths (not siblings or dating partners), involving a perceived or observed balance of power. These behaviors are continuous and can inflict harm on communities, individuals, families and schools. Up to 90 percent of students report they have experienced bullying by the time they reach eighth grade. Our comprehensive list of resources should serve as a guide for educators and parents to help put a stop to bullying in our schools and communities.
- Bullying Prevention Guide
Goals
a. Empower those who are bullied through education and information to protect themselves b. Help implement anti-bullying initiatives at any school/organization/workplace
- Cyberbullying Guide
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected via the internet, new social and security issues are emerging. One such issue is the rise of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can take many shapes and forms. This guide takes a dive into what cyberbullying is and how social workers are training to deal with the new field of digital health.
- The Effects of Bullying on youth
Bullying online can often fly under the radar of adults. We created this guide to educate people on ways to help identify, and more importantly, prevent, bullying that may be occurring. Topics covered include:
- Facts about cyberbullying and bullying statistics
- Emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical effects and signs of cyberbullying to look for
- How to be proactive about cyberbullying and preventative tips
- Mental health resources for cyberbullying victims
You can explore the guide for yourself here
- Kid's Health Cyberbullying Guide
In this guide for parents, advice is offered on how to see the signs of cyberbullying and suggestions are provided on how to intervene, Other topics covered include teaching kids how to be smart about social media and Internet safety.
- Preventing Bullying in Schools: Teacher Guide
It is a sad fact that at some point most, if not all, teachers will have to manage instances of bullying in their classrooms. The statistics show students routinely experience bullying, but the question for teachers is how to best handle bullying in order to create a safe learning environment for all students.
- Stop CyberBullying
Parents, school staff, and other adults in the community can help kids prevent bullying by talking about it, building a safe school environment, and creating a community-wide bullying prevention strategy.Include is infor,tion for parents and schools. This is a publication of the U.S. Government.
- What Should You Do if Your Child Is a Bully?
Bullying is not normal, natural or necessary,” said Barbara Coloroso, speaker and author of The Bully, the Bullied, and the Not-So-Innocent Bystander. “You have to learn to be mean to someone else.”
Safety Rules
Other organizations like the Federal Trade Commission, the FBI, and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have created Web sites for kids and their parents. These sites include safety tips for kids about what information they should not provide to strangers and suggestions for parents when talking with their child.
Have you seen the **Common Sense Media** television ads with the catchy jingle "Pause and Think Online"? It is certainly worth a look. Their motto is "We rate, educate, and advocate for kids, families, and schools." Among the many offerings, the one thing that caught our eye was the Digital Citizenship C urriculum. It is available free for the Mac and iPad as iBook texts that are extremely captivating and interactive. Don't have an Apple device? Then download the printable version and view the videos on the web. From Cyberbullying to responsible behavior using social media, this site is perfect for technology teachers.
What is Child IddentityTheftt?
- What is Child Identity Theft?
Criminals are very clever and continually devising new ways to steal from you. One very disturbing method is child identity theft. Identity thieves use it to open up bank accounts and apply for lines of credit. By the time your child reaches adulthood, and they apply for student loans, they find out their credit is ruined, and they can’t get financing, all because of identity theft.
- Apps Parents Should Be On the Lookout For
As our children find new apps and social media platforms, our job to keep them safe becomes even harder.
To help us on this journey, we have compiled apps parents should be aware of that should be on our radar.
- Amy WiIlliams is a free-lance journalist based in Southern California and mother of two. As a parent, she enjoys spreading the word on positive parenting techniques in the digital age and raising awareness on issues like cyberbullying and online safety.
- Child Internet Safety
It should come as a surprise to no one that the Internet can be a dangerous place. Sure, the Internet allows you to access information at your leisure and connect with people in faraway places easily; however, you never know who may try to access you for harm. These dangers are magnified when children utilize the Internet, as they often are not aware of warning signs of danger. Children can easily stumble upon fake news, pornographic content, scams, and seedy individuals, even when their voyage into the cyber world began with an innocent search. Nowadays, the Internet is easily accessible to people of all ages, especially as smartphones and tablets continue to increase in popularity.
- Student Internet Safety Guide - This guide is all about the things that students can do to stay safe and secure on the internet. It is intended as a basic backgrounder for high school students, but the suggestions and best practices on how to increase personal security will work for everyone. This guide can be found here - https://cybersecurityguide.org/resources/internet-safety/
- Phishing Attack Protection Guide - Phishing is a technique widely used by cyber threat actors to lure potential victims into unknowingly taking harmful actions. This popular attack vector is undoubtedly the most common form of social engineering—the art of manipulating people to give up confidential information— because phishing is simple and effective. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks every day, and they’re often successful. We have developed information that helps people not fall for these tricks. This guide can be found here - https://cybersecurityguide.org/resources/phishing/
- Cyber Security: How Students can protect their data
As more information technologies are developed, students are turning to the Internet for their studies more often than ever. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, online courses and e-learning have become even more commonplace. However, these factors have encouraged cybercriminals to double their efforts at extorting personal information. These days, teachers, students, and even parents are facing increased danger.
- CyberSmart
Comprehensive curriculum designed for teachers and parents is presented in an easy to use format. Lessons and activities are designated by topic and grade level. Content covers appropriate use of the Internet, property rights, ethics, and Website evaluation. A professional development component provides educators with the opportunity to participate in the Pathways to Literacy course ($349) and interact with nationally known experts on the subject. CyberSmart also has a computer desktop toolbar in the works that will provide continuous access to research tools. This site is a great starting point for teachers who want to construct a unit on Internet Safety.
- FBI: Parents Guide to Internet Safety
The Parents Guide to Internet Safety is a handbook published by the FBI. Included in the publication are signs to look for that might indicate a child is at risk on the Internet and what to do to minimize this risk.
- GetNetWise
GetNetWise is a public service brought to you by Internet industry corporations and public interest organizations to help ensure that families have safe, constructive, and educational or entertaining online experiences. The GetNetWise coalition wants Internet users to be just "one click away" from the resources they need to make informed decisions about their family's use of the Internet. GetNetWise is a project of the Internet Education Foundation. Features include a standard safety guide, parental tools, Websites for kids, and contact information for state police, national advocacy groups, and federal law enforcement authorities.
Cybersecurityguide.org has recently published two resources that can help your community with protecting themselves from Cyber security threats.
Internet Guides
These three guides are quite comprehensive with lots of information and suggestions for a safe experience aonline.
The internet is full of exciting things. Apps and technology are changing quickly, and it can be hard for parents to keep up. But it’s important they do. Because for kids, online life is real life. And just like real life, it comes with risks. Our resources are designed to help parents have more regular conversations with their children about online safety – enabling more families to enjoy the digital world with confidence.
- i-Safe
Watch the movie, Faux Paw the Techno Cat and take a byte out of Internet crime. View 5 tips in 5 Minutes - Protecting Your Kids Online with suggestions from educators, parents, kids and law enforcement. Learn about the Techno Cat program for schools or click on the D.A.R.E. button for Internet Safety activities. Symantec also provides a tutorial that illustrates how to check browser history and temporary files, how to avoid spyware, and measures to take for computer security.
- Kidz Privacy
The Federal Trade Commission created a Website for parents and kids to disseminate information about government policies, privacy issues, and Internet Safety. Although the site has not been revised since 2003, there are many articles that remain current. They can be downloaded for viewing or printing.
- NetSmartz
NetSmartz is an educational resource for children, parents and teachers on how to stay safer on the Internet. The NetSmartz Workshop features age-appropriate, interactive games and activities that utilize the latest web technologies to entertain while they educate. View vignettes about real life experiences such as Cyberbullying, meeting strangers, and peer-to-peer harassment. Watch clips hosted by Clicky, Netty, and Webster who explain the dos and don’ts of the Internet. Then, play games that reinforce the lessons. Netsmartz is also rich with resources and links to other information that supports a safe journey on the Internet.
- OnGuard Online
ID Theft Faceoff, Phishing Scams - Avoid the Bait, and Spam, Scam, Slam – Don’t Be Fooled are examples of interactive modules that inform the user about current Internet issues. Lots of practical tips will help you guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information.
- Safe Kids Online
Visit Larry Magid's home page for articles about child safety on the Internet. Magid is a syndicated journalist and author of Child Safety on the Information Highway and Teen Safety on the Information Highway. Both are available on the Website and from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Other articles include Chat Room Safety, Cell Phone Safety, and Blog Safety.
- SafetyEd International
SafetyEd International is a non-profit organization.On this website you will find a huge amount of original materials and resources aimed at helping you enjoy cyberspace safely
- Tik Tok: What Parents Need to Know
With Tik Tok's popularity on the rise among teens, we wanted to give parents a resource to understand the app and how they can protect their children. Our in-depth resource provides parents and guardians with information on what Tik Tok is, how kids can be kept safe while using the app and how parents can monitor and track what their kids are doing on the app.
- Ultimate Guide to Internet Safety
The internet has undoubtedly unlocked a whole new world for us. It's now possible to shop for goods in global marketplaces, talk to people from othe parts of the world, stream videos wherever you are, and share your thoughts and rfeelings with whoever is willing to listen However, while the internet has so many good things to offer, as with anything, there is a dark side as well. Recognizing there are threats, and that they are serious, is the first step but then it's equally as important that you put ourself in a position in which you're not overly exposed to the threats you can't control and not exposed to the ones you can.To help you do this, we've put together this ultimate internet safety guide. Includes all the information about the latest threats lurking out there on the internet, and it also details some simple but effective strategies that you can implement to keep you, and any children under your care, safe while on the web.
- Ultimate Guide for Parents, Educators, and Communities
The Internet is the fastest communication platform. Kids, parents, teachers, and professionals use this facility for education, learning, and exploring the world around them. However, these benefits are associated with risks that compromise the safety of kids and teenagers. One of the most significant impacts of internet safety is cyberbullying, spreading widely through the internet and social media. Children can suffer from low self-esteem, social isolation, academic difficulties, and mental health issues.
Outdoor Safety
- Less Screen, More Green" Outdoor Safety Tips for teens
Outdoor time for kids is an essential part of their development. Unfortunately, the average amount of unstructured outdoor playtime for most children has been four to seven minutes per day, pre-pandemic. Coronavirus lockdowns have made matters worse, forcing even the most active kids to stay indoors.
As a parent, guardian or childcare provider, you may have noticed that the abrupt change to children’s daily habits has made it challenging to curb device overload. In most cases, the best way to conquer hyper-reliance on screens and beat the indoor blues is by putting devices away and getting back outside.
It’s the perfect time to encourage kids to explore the outdoors. The weather is warming up, and COVID-19 restrictions are lifting. However, some kids (and adults) may be struggling with whether it’s safe to play outside again. There are plenty of reasons families need to step out of their comfort zones to reconnect with sunshine, sand, soil, and friends. With a bit of planning, the benefits for your child’s overall well-being and development far outweigh the drawbacks.
Safety Rules
These are direct links to Internet Safety rules that you can use in your classroom.
- 8 Tips for Protecting Children and Teens Online: A Security Guide for Parents, Caregivers and Educators
Written by Carey Davis who is an undergraduate student, digital media intern, and writer majoring in Communications at University of Albany.
Posters
- Childnet International
Download pdf files and print.
School Crime
- Take our cybercrime test and learn about online crimes and how to safe online
Take our cybercrime test and learn about online crimes and how to stay safe when browsing.
- 100+ Statistics on Crime in Schools
School crime — and, in particular, school shootings — has been a prevailing topic. This site provides valuable data around school crime.
- Parental Controls Safe Media Streaming for Kids
Did you know that [one in five children](https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/6243) sees inappropriate content online?
Of course, streaming services aren’t entirely to blame—social media is the biggest assailant. However, if you can take steps to protect your children from seeing anything they shouldn’t on streaming services, you should.