Quia - Class Page - cybersafety

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cybersafety	Mrs. P.
St. Francis deSales School	Technology Coordinator/Instructor
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Internet Safety

What is the Internet?

Often called the information highway, the Internet is a place where people from all over the country and world can access information on just about any topic through awesome website resources, like online encyclopedia sites, and streaming audio and video downloads to name a few. Internet users can also interact with each other socially and professionally through e-mail exchange, the World Wide Web, electronic bulletin boards, online chats like Instant messenger and other activities like online gaming.

Why is Internet Safety a major concern today?

Cyber Safety is a major concern of today’s Internet users because the Internet is unregulated, meaning it is open to all kinds of material and people. There are few laws restricting information content or protecting users from abusive or degrading behaviors while online. Unsuspecting surfers can be exposed to uncensored and questionable information as well as social interactions that could result in inappropriate, unethical or threatening behavior.

Who is most vulnerable?

Everyone is at risk but children and teens are the most vulnerable. Teens are especially open to the dangers on the Net because of their extensive, more unsupervised use of it.

What are safety risks of the Internet?

Visiting Websites

Easy-to-find sites with sexually explicit images and text.

Easy-to-find sites promoting hatred, bigotry, violence, drugs, cults, and other things not appropriate for children.

Inaccurate, misleading and untrue information.

No restrictions on marketing products such as alcohol and tobacco to children.

Marketing that deceptively collects personal information from kids in order to sell products to them or their parents.

Requests for personal information for contests, surveys, etc., that are used in unauthorized ways.

Easy access to games with excessive violence and gender stereotypes.

In Chat Rooms

Not knowing the true identity of people with whom you are chatting

Revealing personal info to someone who gains your confidence by being sympathetic and willing to "listen" to your problems.

Becoming comfortable enough with a Cyber Pal to agree to a face-to-face meeting.

Encountering harassing demeaning or belligerent messages that could affect a person’s self-esteem.

Instant Messaging

Realtime one to one communication, like a private chatroom, that can be especially dangerous if communication is with a stranger.

Sending and Receiving E-Mail

Receiving and accepting unsolicited mail (SPAM) that can be inappropriate in nature.

Receiving intentional luring messages from strangers.

Bulletin Boards

May encounter harassing demeaning or belligerent messages that could affect a person's self-esteem.

How can the risks be reduced?

Mrs. P’s Family Internet Safety Suggestions

Check out Internet filtering software and parental control features offered by your ISP. Just remember that no filtering or parental control tool is 100% reliable.

Be involved in and supervise all children's Internet activities. This is the best protection adults can offer to children and young adults.

Be as vigilant in reinforcing Internet safety rules as with all other safety concerns for the family.

Keep open communications with your children. Always answer questions and concerns openly and honestly. Your children should consider you a trusted adult and someone they can come to for help and answers.

Practice Family Internet safety together. There are wonderful information sites on the Web that can help make Internet Safety a fun family learning experience.

Remind each other often of the dangers on the Net.

Insist that visiting friends and relatives abide by your Family Rules if using your computer.

Develop Family Internet Safety Rules together and post them by the computer. This will remind all users of the Family's commitment to CyberSafety and their stake in it.

Internet Safety Family Project

This is an example of a Family Rules for Internet Safety Project. In this project, family members develop Internet Safety Rules together and arrange them in a contract format. The finished contract is read and discussed as a group. The family members then sign their names at the bottom as an acknowledgement that they have read and understand their individual commitments to the contract. The signed contract is then posted by or near the family computer as a reminder to all of the family's promise to do their parts to make the Internet a safer place to visit.

Our Family's Rules For Internet Safety* Contract

We All Agree:

We will never give out our last name, address, phone number, or any personal information. This includes sports team names, school information, and work information. We have all agreed upon user names (like CB handles or nicknames) to use while we are on the Internet.

Real Name______________ User Name_______________
Real Name______________ User Name_______________
Real Name______________ User Name_______________
Real Name______________ User Name_______________
Real Name______________ User Name_______________

When asked where do we live, we are all going to answer: I live in ____________________ (Upstate New York, or South East Kansas, or Northern Florida) I will never give out more information to anyone.

We all agree to not give out our passwords to anyone outside of our family. If someone finds out our password and uses it, we all could get into big trouble.

We all agree to limit our online time, so that it doesn't interfere with other activities. If mom or dad sets time limits, we agree to abide by them. The Internet is a lot of fun, but we will not allow the Internet to take time away from homework, housework, sports, face to face interactions, or spending time together as a family.

The Kids Agree:

I will never meet anyone in person that I have met online. If anyone ever asks to meet me, I will notify mom or dad, immediately. The only way this would be considered is if my mom or dad was with me and the meeting was in a public place.

I will tell my mom or dad right away if I see something that makes me feel uncomfortable. Sometimes kids wander into sites that are not appropriate. This doesn't mean that I did something wrong.

I will not remain on or click on that page that says, "For Over 18 Years Only." If the page says for over 18 years only, it is because it is not for kids and I will not go any further and I will tell my mom or dad that I got to a page like that.

I will only download pictures and files if I have my parent's permission. Some of these files may contain dangerous viruses that will mess up the computer, so I will not do it, unless my parents know about it first.

I will not send pictures of myself or my family to anyone online. The only way that I am allowed to do this is if my parents say it is all right to do to send to this person and this person only.

I will not believe everything that I see online.I know that anyone can post information on the Internet, just because it is there, doesn't mean that it is correct. If I am in doubt of information, I will research it further.

I agree that nothing is private on the Internet.My mom or dad may read my mail or check the sites that I have been visiting. It isn't because they don't trust me, they just want to make sure that I am safe.

The Adults Agree:

If my child comes and tells that they saw something online that was not appropriate, I will discuss this openly with them.

I stay close to the computer while my child is online and I will be available to answer questions. I know that my child will have questions about how to use the Internet. If I don't know the answer, we will learn together.

Signed: _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________