I've been asked to write a technology-related article for our school newsletter. Here is my first one. If an ISPP parent or student is reading, feel free to comment at the end of the article.
Tech Tips
By Miss Jennie
There is a lot of concern about children’s safety when online, and for good reason. Here are a few tips to keep you and your family safe and smart when surfing the internet:
➢ Keep your family computer in a common room, not hidden away in a bedroom. After all, the internet is a public place.
➢ Know what your kids do online. Are you worried about what pictures your child is posting on Facebook (or Bebo, MySpace, or any other social networking website)? Ask him to show you his Facebook profile. If your child is not comfortable showing you, that is an opportunity to start a conversation.
➢ Know who your child is interacting with online. If he is a member of social networking website, have him show you his list of friends and make sure he actually knows them. If he has strangers on his list of friends, that person should be removed immediately. This is another opportunity to talk with your child about being safe on the internet.
➢ If you use a webcam for Skype or video application, turn it off when you are not using it.
➢ If your child is young, it is a good idea to discuss with him what he should do if a stranger tries to contact him online or if he accidentally comes across an inappropriate website.
Of course, these are general guidelines. Your decisions might be different based on your child’s age or other factors. Use your best judgment when making decisions for your family. The most important thing is that as our students evolve from children to adult members of the cyber-community, they learn how to make safe and responsible choices online.
If you have any questions, want to add a suggestion, or comment on this article, I have added it to my blog at: http://teach-ct.blogspot.com/
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