Online Safety
- By paul.klintworth
In my grade 7 computer class this week, we compared the Internet to a big city. In our analogy, we discussed how there are safe areas and unsafe areas. We are exploring how to avoid the unsafe areas and what to do if you accidentally find yourself in one. I believe that the best filter for online safety is our brain and we have to teach children how to be critical in their use of technology. I also believe in gradual increase of responsibility for making good choices, applying more stringent controls for the youngest children. Younger children are most susceptible to accidentally accessing inappropriate information online. A good strategy at home is to have children keep and use electronic devices in public spaces, rather than in private (closed door bedroom) spaces. This becomes more challenging with mobile devices so it’s also important for parents to closely monitor the online use of children and set restrictions on devices, especially for younger children. One way of doing this is to use a software tool like Net Nanny. Please find more information about Net Nanny, available for both Mac and Windows at http://www.netnanny.com/.
Links for Online Safety
- Microsoft Website for family safety – http://www.microsoft.com/security/family-safety/default.aspx#Internet-use
- Google website for family safety – http://www.google.com/familysafety/ and youtube site – http://www.youtube.com/user/googlefamilysafety
- 5 safe search engines for children – http://www.summitseriesforfamilies.com/the-top-5-safe-search-engines-for-kids/
- Parental controls on iDevices – http://www.summitseriesforfamilies.com/using-the-ipad-and-ipod-touch-parental-controls-explained/
- Kidzui browser for children – http://www.kidzui.com/
- Internet filtering advice from Common Sense Media – http://www.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-parents/internet-filters-tips
- Online discussions and advice for families (including a variety of online safety tips) – http://www.summitseriesforfamilies.com/
Hi Damianne!
It was great to meet you in Nagoya! What a wonderful blog you have! I had just posted my concerns about internet safety and so I found your recent post very relevant and helpful. In fact, I linked it to a reply I received.
You are so correct that young children are the most vulnerable to inappropriate sites, but by including the parents and family in helping children learn strategies for safety, we can be more effective in combating this issue. I love that you have links to family discussions.
It would be a shame to disallow children access to the net because of fears that they might come across something too adult. Unfortunately, they will…this is the reality. Therefore, strategies and precautionary discussions are necessary.
Thank you again and you are an inspiring female Tech Geek for me!