What are some ways I can help my children be safe online?
Ten Tips for Parents:
- Model positive ways to use computers and the Internet.
- Work with your children to help them learn how to use the Internet safely, wisely, and efficiently.
- Set up expectations for your children’s use of technology. Develop rules about the release of personal information, time spent on the computer, instant messaging, chat rooms, discussion boards, blogs, e-mail and attachments, and other online behaviors such as downloading files and making purchases.
- Make consequences for not living up to the expectations clear.
- Supervise your children’s online activities. We realize that you can’t monitor everything your children do, but keeping a watchful eye on their Internet activities is important.
- Keep up an on-going dialog with your children about their computer and Internet activities.
- Look into safety measures offered through browsers, online services, Internet providers, and software.
- Instruct your children to let you know if anything they find online or receive through e-mail or instant messaging scares them or makes them feel uncomfortable.
- Learn about the Internet and its rules to help keep your children safe.
- Encourage your children to learn about the Internet through Packetville activities and lessons.
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What are Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs)?
Schools, Internet providers, online services, and businesses often create rules called Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs) for technology use. These rules usually cover the proper and safe use of e-mail, instant messaging, Websites, networks, online services, chat rooms, blogs, and discussion boards.
Your children should be sure to follow the AUPs, or their Internet privileges may be taken from them by Internet providers, online services, schools, or businesses.
For information on AUPs and ideas for creating AUP lists, try these Websites:
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I've heard of e-books, or books that are online. Where do I find them? They sound like a great way to use technology to encourage my kids to read.
Packets that bring e-books can arrive at your children’s computers if you know where to look for them and if you have the right equipment to view them.
There are now thousands of free books online. Picture books as well as reference books and novels are available. Some of them can be read or downloaded from Internet sites, while others can be read on devices such as PDAs or MP3 players. Some devices may require a reader, which can be downloaded for free from Adobe, Microsoft, or other sites.
Some readers and e-books allow kids to take notes while reading, highlight sections, create summaries, look up definitions, or have the book read to them. You can imagine the possible uses for education.
Listed below are some of the sites with free books. Other sites, such as Audible, Leapfrog, and iTunes, offer books for a fee.
Keep in mind that not all the e-books on these sites are for children. You'll need to browse the sites before recommending them to your children or perhaps go to the sites and select e-books for your kids.
If you are interested in learning more, a good book on the topic is, The Digital Reader: Using E-Books in K-12 Education. The author is Terrence Cavanaugh and it's published by ISTE.
If you are looking for e-books on the topics covered in Packetville, check the sites listed above or visit Cisco Press. However, most e-books on networking, computers, and careers are written for adults or older kids.
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My daughter has found a site she likes online. She and her friends spend a great deal of time on this site. She says it's a place for kids and that all her friends are on it. It looks like they are just putting up harmless information and sharing it with others, but I'm not sure about it. What do you think?
There are lots of sites for young people online, and it's difficult to keep track of all of them. As a concerned parent, you should be aware that some of the sites your children love may not be the best places for them. On some sites, kids may have to state that they are of a certain age, with no verification of the age entered. This means that an older person could also impersonate someone of a younger age.
Although kids are often enthusiastic about putting their information online, giving out personal information is not recommended. Many rules and guidelines relating to safety online emphasize not revealing personal information. Yet, everyday, kids go online and post what they feel is cool, for their friends to see. They don't think about others online who may have access to their information. In discussion areas, they may confide in those they consider to be their friends.
Another problem with such sites is that young people often enjoy posting information about others. They may pose as people they don't especially like and post information that is designed to entertain their peers and cause problems with the targeted individuals. They might create online "slam books" to evaluate others in their class or neighborhood. These online postings can be very hurtful to others.
Bottom line, your children's use of the Internet should be monitored. Set up rules about manners and safety online and establish consequences if necessary to encourage your children to follow them.
Introduce your children to sites like Packetville where they can have fun playing games while learning. You can also visit the American Library Association: Great Websites for Kids for more ideas. Knowing that kids love interacting online with other kids, you may want to work with a school or community group to help kids connect with kids throughout the world through sites such as Kidlink, Global SchoolNet Foundation, or Schoolnet Global.
Check out the sites where your children are spending lots of time. Decide if your children should be frequenting these sites. If you have any concerns, talk to the parents of your children's friends and work with them to help your children and their children use the Internet in safe and responsible ways.
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