Who's Afraid of the Internet?
What Parents Should Know
I.How Students Access Information
-Directly Access via internet site
-Search Engines
-Hypertext Links
-E-mail References
-Chat Rooms
-Newsgroups
II.How to Minimize the Risks
-Have your child show you how to access the Internet
-Spend time with them online
-Explore the information which is available and discuss with them which
information you consider off-limits
-Monitor the amount of time your child spends on the computer and when.
The same parenting skills that apply to "the real world"
also apply online.
-Locate your computer in a rec room or den which is not isolated from
the rest of the house
-Bookmark acceptable websites or groups of acceptable websites such
as ALA's KidsConnect(see handout 50+ Great Websites for Parents and Kids)
III.Guidelines for Use of the Internet(Center for Missing and Exploited)
-I will not give out personal information without my parent's permission
-I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information
that makes me feel uncomfortable.
-I will never agree to get together with someone I meet online
without first checking with my parents.
-I will never send a person my picture without checking with my parents.
-I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make
me feel uncomfortable.
-I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going
online.
IV.Additional Guidelines(See handout "Safety Tips")
-TeachNetiquette-how to behave online
-Remember that people online may not be who they say they are
-Remember that everything you read may not be true
-Remember that personal computers and online services should not be
used as electronic babysitters.
-Do not allow the presence of filters to lull you into a false sense
of security
V.FILTERING
A.What Filters "DO"
-Human Review-Look at Specific IP Addresses
-Filter program data bases(monthly update)
-Check user entered addresses
-Software Review-Look at text for inappropriate keywords
-Reporting of usage-Activity log tracking;"history" on computer
-Filtered Searching-approved search sites such as
Searchopolis(www.searchopolis.com)
(See also handout "Filtering Sites")
B.What Filters Do NOT Do
-Do NOT Filter 100% effectively
-Typically do not filter E-Mail
-Do NOT Prevent CHAT sessions
-Do NOT Prevent Access to Newsgroups
-Do NOT Prohibit CU See Me and other interactive utilities
C.Options to Filtering
-Remember:Filtering provides parents with a false sense of
security and does not replace parental supervision
-Physically place your computer in a frequently traveled area of
the house;DO NOT place it in your child's bedroom
-Access History File periodically
"GO" header using Netscape
"FILE" header using Explorer
-Eliminate access to Newsgroups
-Monitor Chat sessions constantly(Yahoo, Instant Messenger
provide easy access to Chat)
-Establish and Maintain Complete "Bookmarks" or "Favorites"
which identify safe sites for kids
-Establish family rules for going online and enforce them
VI.KEY MESSAGES
-The Internet is the most exciting new tool for learning since the
printing press.
-Parents and teachers must work together to teach children how to
use the new technology and make wise choices
-It isn't the technology but how you use it that makes a difference.
That's why it is important for parents and teachers to teach
children how to make wise choices whether it's about books, movies,
TV or the Internet.
Parents-
You may get a kick out of this, or you may find it helpful. It is a list of
places to look for lost books. Good luck!
-In every other closet in the house
-the public library
-Grandma's/ babysitter's/non-custodial parent's house
-behind the washing machine
-in your classroom library
-inyour desk/cubby/backpack
-in your friend's desk/cubby
-on your teachers desk
-in a toy chest
-BEHIND the bed (i.e. between the bed and the wall)
-in the school's lost and found
-at the after school [child care] program
-on the bus
-in the classroom - specifically on the teachers bookshelves
-in the trunk of the car
-under the car seats
-ask the nanny/housekeeper
-in the recycling bin (for magazines)
-at friend's house
-at parent's place of work
-in the trundle bed
-BEHIND the refrigerator
-Under the spare tire
-between the mattress and box springs
-Under the rug
-under the bed
-Under the dirty clothes
-in the dresser drawers
-Behind the chest of drawers
-In the garage
-In the dog house
-In the stroller
-Under any appliance (oven, dishwasher, dryer, etc.)
-Behind the bookshelf
-Behind other books on the shelf
-On or behind the VCR, TV, or stereo
-in the bathroom
-on the back porch
-in the refrigerator/freezer
-under the furniture cushions
-Under the spare tire
-in the piano bench
-packed with Christmas decorations!
-wedged down the side of a lazy boy rocker
-in a book bag
-under the tv set stand
-on top of the dresser in plain sight
-magazine rack
-in the locker at school
-under every other bed in your house
-on top of the refrigerator
-under all couches and chairs
-on the coffee table
-on the floor of your closet
