Internet SafetyA guide

Internet SafetyContent

Disclaimer

Acceptable Use Policy

Julie . . . her story

Statistics

IM/email/Chat rooms

Blogging

Inappropriate Content

Resources

References

Think smart,

Play smart,Be smart,Play SAFE!

DisclaimerThis publications is not intended for professional use in any manner. The author of this publication attempted to gather information pertaining to the safety of kids and tweens using the internet. This is not intended for legal or professional consultation. The information in the publication is subject to change by the author of the referenced material. All attempts were made to assure accuracy of the information in this publication.

Acceptable Use PolicyPurpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure appropriate, responsible, ethical and legal access and use of computers, the Internet, and other electronic or communication devices by District students, patrons, and employees. The Technology Acceptable Use Policy addresses two distinct concepts of technology use. The first regards the use of computers and the Internet, and the second addresses interfering and electronic communication devices.

Washington County School District, St. George, UT.

Acceptable Use PolicyPolicy2.1. Computers and the Internet It is the policy of the Washington County School District to permit

students, patrons, and employees to have computer and Internet access under approved regulations and guidelines, to include those listed in the Children's Internet Protection Act, State Law, and policies adopted by Board of Education. In general, the user's responsibilities require responsible, decent, ethical, polite, efficient, and legal use of computer and network resources. Students, patrons, and employees must not access obscene, pornographic, or material that is deemed to be harmful to minors. District and school personnel will instruct students and staff on acceptable use of computers and Internet resources and proper network etiquette.  All students, patrons, and employees are granted access to the Internet, but all access to the Internet through district resources is subject to the terms of the Technology Acceptable Use Agreement and District policy.

Washington County School District, St. George, UT.

Acceptable Use PolicyPolicy

2.2. Interfering and electronic communication devices

While in some instances the possession and use of electronic communication devices or other devices or objects by a student at a school may be appropriate, often the possession and use of such devices or objects by students at school can have the effect of distracting, disrupting, and intimidating others in the school setting and leading to opportunities for academic dishonesty and other disruptions of the educational process. The purpose of this component of the policy is to vest with school administrators the authority to enforce reasonable rules relating to student use of such objects or devices in the public schools.

Washington County School District, St. George, UT.

Julie . . .Her story of how she got caught up in something she had no control over due to manipulation and anger . . . Someone could be looking into your daily life without you realizing it.

her story

Statistics

All statistics provided by www.aldricchang.com

Consider a recent survey of teenagers that revealed the following:

• 91% of kids have an email address

• 60% have an instant-message screen name

• 75% have a cell phone

• 72% have profiles on social networking sites

Think before you type

Statistics

All statistics provided by www.aldricchang.com

And on a more disturbing note• 1in 5 said they have been “cyber-bullied”

• most share personal info online, though 3 in 5 know it’s dangerous

• 1 in 4 know someone who experienced something bad, from an inappropriate text forwarded around school to being sexually victimized

StatisticsAccess• 93% of teens (12-17) go online.• Of the children (0-5) who use the Internet, 80% use it at least

once a week.

Cell Phones• 75% of teens (12-17) have cell phones.• On average, texting teens (12-17) send and receive 1500 text

messages a month.

All statistics provided by www.netsmartz.com

Friends Only!

Be Nice

StatisticsCyberbullying• 1 in 3 teens (12-17) have experienced online harassment.• Girls are more likely to be victims of cyberbullying (38%

girls vs. 26% boys).

Online Gaming• 97% of teens (12-17) play computer, web, portable, or

console games.• 27% of teens (12-17) play games with people they don’t

know online.

All statistics provided by www.netsmartz.com

Statistics

Predators• Predators seek children vulnerable to seduction, including

• those with histories of sexual or physical abuse• those who post sexually provocative photos/video• those who talk about sex with unknown people online.

• Boys who are gay or questioning their sexuality are particularly at risk. 25% of victims are boys and almost all of their offenders are male.

All statistics provided by www.netsmartz.com

Statistics

Predators• 1 in 25 youths received an online sexual solicitation where the

solicitor tried to make offline contact.

• In more than one-quarter (27%) of incidents, solicitors asked youths for sexual photographs of themselves.

All statistics provided by www.netsmartz.com

StatisticsSexting  • 4% of cell-owning teens (12-17) say that they have sent sexually

suggestive nude/semi-nude messages to others via text message.

• 15% of cell-owning teens (12-17) say they have received sexually suggestive nude/semi-nude images of someone they know via text.

A common Sense Approach to Internet Safety video

All statistics provided by www.netsmartz.com

Don’t send

pics

StatisticsSocial Networking• 73% of teens (12-17) have profiles on social networking sites.

• 47% of teens (12-17) have uploaded photos; 14 % have posted videos.

• 20% of teens report that it is safe.

All statistics provided by www.netsmartz.com

IM/email/ChatroomsTips• Know who your child is communicating with online.

• Assist your child in creating screen names and email addresses that do not contain personal information.

• Explain why emails and IM’s from unknown sources should be deleted and not opened.

• Use spam blockers.

BBC video on chat room safety. http://youtu.be/b7aso7BDzEo

IM/email/ChatroomsTips• How important is it that your child have a smart phone at their

age. It might be cool, but is is safe?

• Know how your child is access the internet and from where.

• Explain why it is very important to not share passwords with friends or strangers.

• Become familiar with acronyms to understand what your kids are saying.

BBC video on chat room safety. http://youtu.be/b7aso7BDzEo

Blogging

Tips• Set guidelines that your child will follow before creating a blog

and accessing blogs.• Review your child's blog before the new information is posted.• Set the privacy settings for your child and remind them of the

importance that others do not have access to personal information.

• Make sure that all images are free of any identifying information like phone numbers, addresses, schools, names, and ages.

• Explain the importance of not posting misleading, provocative and explicit information or images.

• Develop an understanding that if your child feels uncomfortable about information on a blog he or she can inform you of it.

Inappropriate ContentTips• Know where your child has access to the internet and what kinds

of filtering and blocking software is applied.• Encourage your child to seek an adult if he or she encounters

inappropriate material.• Discuss the acceptable use policy with your child.• Make sure that the student knows to report any inappropriate

content to the webmaster.

ResourcesThese websites provide information or software for monitoring and assisting with creating a safe environment while your son or daughter in using the Internet.

http://elementarysafety.com/personal-safety?gclid=CIybzsi43KkCFQZCgwod0FFjZQ

http://www.nsteens.org/

http://www.netsmartz.org/EmailChatAndIM

http://www.netlingo.com/tips/cyber-safety-statistics.php

References http://www.commonsense.com/internet-safety-tips/tips-for-kids.php

http://elementarysafety.com/personal-safety?gclid=CIybzsi43KkCFQZCgwod0FFjZQ

http://www.slideshare.net/aldricchang/raising-kids-on-the-internet-2149686 Slide 5 statistics

http://www.fbi.gov/fun-games/kids/kids-safety

http://www.netsmartz.org/Safety/Statistics Slides 8-10

http://www.safewave.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=353&Itemid=300

http://securityorb.com/2011/02/teen-internet-safety-statistics-from-netsmartz-org/