A stranger approaches you in a shopping mall, and begins a conversation with you. They seem to have similar interests as you, based on the J. Crew and Apple shopping bags they are sporting. The person knows a few people you go to school with, “a girl named Katie", and football player “I think his name is Matt, or Mike?” It appears to be legit, so when the person asks if you want to ride with them to get an ice cream, you don’t think twice about hopping in the car and going along for a ride…with a complete stranger. How would students respond to that? Would your friends think you are crazy for leaving with this person you do not know?
I certainly hope so. Unfortunately, teens who engage in Internet socializing (Facebook, twitter etc.…) do not realize that when engaging with people on the Internet, they never know for sure who is sitting on at the computer on the other end, and therefore it is basically like meeting a stranger in the mall. In fact, it can even be more dangerous, because after just a few chat sessions, the teen may have a false sense of comfort with the stranger, and agree to meet them. For that reason, and many others, it is crucial that Internet safety needs to be ingrained in the minds of all Internet users, at a very young age using the following three strategies: Educate, filter, and pledge.
The famous leader Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” If we would like our students to be safe while using the Internet, educating them on Internet safety is first step in the line of defense. Personal Protection Systems Inc. has developed an educational system designed to inform and educate students on Internet safety in a practical format. The format utilizes Staff Sargent, with over 28 years of experience, as a Certified Advanced Open Source Intelligent/Social Media Investigator who has dedicated his life to public safety. He travels around the British Columbia area helping students to understand the power of digital technology. Review the video to see the operation. n.
The final step in ensuring the Internet safety of students is to have each one sign an Internet Safety Pledge. The pledge should include Internet rules and guidelines which promote positive, educational Internet use. The following are a few examples from NetSmartz:
1. I WILL THINK BEFORE I POST.
2. I WILL RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE.
3. I WILL BE CAREFUL WHEN MEETING ONLINE FRIENDS IN PERSON.
4. I WILL PROTECT MYSELF ONLINE.
As long as the Internet exists, there will always be risk associated with its use, but the more we can educate our students, filter inappropriate material, and get students on board with appropriate Internet use, there chance of Internet safety will increase exponentially.
Resources:
http://www.personalprotectionsystems.ca/programs/internet-safety/internet-safety-schools.html
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/internet-safety-schools
CyberPatrol: http://www.surfcontrol.com; CyberSnoop: http://www.pearlsw.com; Cybersitter: http://www.solidoak.com/; Net Nanny: http://www.netnanny.com/
http://www.netsmartz.org/Resources/Pledges