Internet Safety for Students: Under Age 13

Shawanda Sturdivant

The InternetWhat would we do without the Internet? It gives us the world at our fingertips. Almost

anything that we want and need can be found here in one convenient place called the World

Wide Web.

The InternetThe Internet is a great place for students. On

the Internet, they can be entertained, chat with friends, learn about whatever interests

them, and research different topics for school.

The InternetIn the fall of 2005, nearly 100 percent of public

schools in the United States had access to the internet, compared with 35 percent in 1994.

Internet Safety for StudentsStudents had access to hand-held as well as loaned laptop computers. 10 percent of public schools lent laptop computers to students in

2005.

Internet Safety for StudentsWith so much access to computers and the

internet in schools, how well are internet sites visited by students monitored?

Internet Safety for StudentsGiven the diversity of the information carried

on the internet, student access to inappropriate material is a major concern of

many parents and teachers.

Internet Safety for StudentsUnfortunately, the internet can also help people

find what they should not be seeking.

Internet Safety for StudentsSexual predators use the internet to seek out

and prey on innocent children.

Internet Safety for StudentsAccording to PC Tattletale, there are an estimated one million pedophiles online.

Internet Safety for StudentsOne in four internet users aged 10 to 17 are

exposed to pornographic images on the internet, and one in five has been solicited for

sex.

Internet Safety for StudentsActive predators online are not the only

worries there are to guard against for students.

Internet Safety for StudentsStudents come upon sites by accident, that should absolutely be off limits to minors, by passively surfing or searching the internet.

Internet Safety for StudentsFilters are highly recommended for educators

to use on computers to ensure safety of students.

Internet Safety for StudentsHowever, some people feel filters are well-intentioned but inadequate because it is not the correct way to address online safety for

students.

Internet Safety for StudentsMany technology experts believe the most accurate solution is to shift emphasis from

policing the way students use the internet to educating them about using it more safely.

Internet Safety for StudentsIn some schools, to enforce this initiative, an

internet safety curriculum has been implemented to teach students about the

dangers of interacting on the web.

Internet Safety for StudentsFor teachers, professional development courses

strictly directed towards various techniques for educating students about responsible

internet use is being developed.

Internet Safety for StudentsThere is a law that is specifically intended for

the protection of students on the internet.The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

The CIPA requires certification from schools using internet to strictly enforce a policy of

internet safety that includes the use of filtering or blocking technology that

measures to block or filter internet access for both minors and adults to certain visual

depiction.

The Children’s Internet Protection ActThe CIPA Act was signed into law on December

21, 2000. It provides support for internet access and internal connections services

through the Universal Service Fund (USF).

Requirements of CIPA:Technology Protection Measure

A specific technology that blocks or filters internet access by adults and minors to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or anything harmful to children/minors.

Requirements of CIPA:Internet Safety Policy

Must address the following issues:Access by minors to inappropriate matterSafety and security of minors when using

electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications

Unauthorized access including “hacking” and other unlawful activities by minors online

Requirements of CIPA:Internet Safety Policy

Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors

Measures designed to restrict minors’ access to materials harmful to minors

Requirements of CIPA:Public Notice and Hearing

The authority with responsibility for administration of the school or library must provide reasonable public notice and hold at least one public hearing to address a proposed technology protection measure and internet safety policy.

Internet Safety for StudentsThere are even online sources that have been

created to promote safe access to websites and technology literacy for children

4Kids.org

Internet Safety for Students4Kids.org is an online resource with an

accompanying syndicated print publication that was created by Advanced Learning Technologies in Education Consortium

(ALTEC). It provides a variety of internet-based activities as well as access to a

database of websites reviewed for educational content, appropriateness, and

commercial-free content.

Internet Safety for Students4Kids.org has appeared in more than 500

weekly issues published in newspapers throughout the world to promote use of the

internet and technology literacy. Many of the sites are interactive and encourage learning through games, online research activities,

and quizzes.

Ways to Safeguard Students While on the Internet:Talk with students about the internet. The

internet is just like the real world, and there are places they should not go.

Do not ban use of the computer to students. Banning the computer may do more harm than good.

Monitor the sites students visit and encourage them to share their internet experiences with you. Work along with them to make surfing the internet enjoyable.

Ways to Safeguard Students While on the Internet:Set computers up for safe searching. Find

preferences page for different search engines students might use and reset them to filter out adult oriented content.

Add additional filters because sometimes SafeSearch and other type filters do not always work.

Insist that students never give out personal information on the internet.

CitationsBacon, M., Blood, L., Ault, M., & Adams, D.

(2008). 4Kids.org: topical, searchable, and safe internet-based resource for children and youth. Education Libraries: Childrens’ Resources, 31, 46-50.

Descy, D. E. All aboard the internet: keeping kids safe online. TechTrends, 50, 3-4.

CitationsMcCarthy, M. M. (2004). Filtering the internet:

the children’s internet protection act. Educational Horizons, 108-113.

Villano, M. (2008). What are we protecting them from? T.H.E. Journal, 35, 48-54.

Wells, J., & Lewis, L. (2006). Internet access in U.S. public schools and classrooms: 1994-2005 (NCES 2007-020). U. S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.

Citationshttp://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.spraguephoto.com/stock/images/Retrieved November 10, 2009