The internet is one the most powerful educational tools ever created. It allows every student to instantly reach around the world, to share and to interact. It is the great “democratizer” as all students have the opportunity to access information on any topic. The immense potential of the internet is coupled with serious pitfalls and dangers. To quote Uncle Ben, “With great power comes great responsibility.”
For students, the internet can offer endless volumes of knowledge or true peril. Internet safety concerns can be grouped into three broad categories: personal, interpersonal, and systemic. The anonymity and abbreviated response time that the internet provides can lead students to offer personal information to others. Some forms of communication can provide details about the user without the user’s knowledge or permission (email, chat rooms, IM, Livemap, etc.). These breeches of confidence may lead to identity theft. The second group of safety concerns is the interactions users have with each other. The internet provides convenient and nearly unlimited access to a wide array of people allowing predators, scam artists, and cyber bullies ample victim pools. The final category of internet concerns is systemic issues. Viruses, spy ware, and spam are virtually unavoidable and often unseen until too late.
As with other forms of communication (check out the history of television), the internet was initially touted for its educational potential then demonized for its downfalls. The reality is somewhere in the middle. When used properly, the internet can enhance learning and lives. When employed as a surrogate babysitter, problems will occur. To truly realize its potential, parents and teachers must supervise students, keep them from inappropriate sites, and use the viewing controls. By communicating around the computer not just through it, teachers and parents can help students develop the necessary responsibility to harness its great power.
Assignment #3 (Assignment #5)
Myspace – Myspace is a social networking site open to the public but aimed at teenagers. Users can create profiles including photographs, personal information, videos, music and blogs. They may also join various groups and add links to friends’ pages. The dangers of social networking sites include the anonymity of the users, lack of monitoring by adults, sharing too much information, and dealing with issues beyond a student's age.
Youtube – Youtube is a video sharing website where users can upload videos and diaries as well as respond to other posts. There are also many movie, TV, and music video clips. The dangers of Youtube use include posting inappropriate material, receiving inappropriate comments, and sharing too much information.
AOL IM – This instant messaging program allows users to have real time conversations with other users. Although originally linked with AOL, it is a stand alone program available to all internet users. Unlike some other messaging programs, users do not need permission to add other users as friends. The dangers of instant messaging programs include the anonymity of the users, offering too much information, and lack of adult monitoring.
ICQ – ICQ is the original instant messaging program allowing users to share real time conversations. Its name is a shortened version of “I Seek You” since it allows users to see if their friends are online. The dangers of instant messaging programs include the anonymity of the users, offering too much information, and lack of adult monitoring.
Facebook – Facebook is a social networking site open to the public but aimed at college students. Members can create profiles including photographs, videos, personal information, music and blogs. It is the main competitor for Myspace. The dangers of social networking sites include the anonymity of the users, lack of monitoring by adults, sharing too much information, and dealing with issues beyond a student's age.
Chat rooms – Chat rooms allow people to publicly communicate in real time (similar to a party line on a telephone). Most chat rooms have a unifying topic or are related to a specific community. While generally public, most programs do allow for private contacts and conversations between users. The dangers of chat rooms include the anonymity of the users, public availability of the discussions, and offering too much information.
Blogs – Blogs (a shortened version of “web log”) are on line diaries often expressing personal experiences and opinions. The dangers of blogs include offering too much personal information and no control over the comments of others that may be posted.
Assignment #6 Social Risks
As with any technology, there are inherent risks in using the internet. As we rely more on machines, the possibilities for problems grow considerably. Students who have never known a world without the wonders of the internet, cell phones, texting, and such technology can become complacent about their potential for danger. They can even contribute to it. At the least, they accept the risks as part of the package.
Certain behaviors can lead to greater risks for students on the internet. Often, students will share passwords and other personal information with others trusting that their friends will only use it appropriately. Once that information is released, the student is vulnerable to attacks on personal information, sabotage of websites, and identity theft. To avoid some of the problems, a student may lie about certain personal information such as age or sex. Although this may reduce the risk of identity theft, the deception is easily employed to allow access to sites with age restrictions or to deceiving others in chatrooms and such. In the end, lying could create more problems. The use of false information could lead to increased "digital courage" (doing or saying things online that you wouldn't in person). With the impersonal nature of online communication, students may feel "safer" to do things that they know not to do in person. The belief that they won't be caught frees them from responsibility. This can lead to behaviors like cyberbullying and "sexting".
In the end, the internet can provide wonderful educational and social opportunities, but it can also cause great harm and damage. Students need to realize the risks involved and try to minimize them. As one of my professors told me years ago when the internet was just an infant, don't do or say anything online that your grandma wouldn't want to see. If followed by all, that simple adage could reduce many of the social risks of the internet.
Assignment #8 - Legal issues
The internet is a new frontier when legal issues are considered. Although the result of an action is easy to demonstrate, there can be great doubt in who, how and where that action took place. Since students often share passwords and other personal information, it is difficult to truly prove who did what. The best investigation may only yield a particular account, but not who used it. New technologies can also work around current laws. What is acceptable in one place may not be in another. Should the website or information be judged by the standards of where it was created or the standards of where it was accessed? The immediacy and impersonality of the internet can lead students to do things they wouldn't dream of doing in person (sexting, cyberbullying).
To combat some of the problems of the internet, schools and the government are trying to educate students and parents of the dangers. The government is requiring this education as part of "E-Rate" which funds high speed internet access for many schools. Districts must teach web safety or lose the funding. In addition, many districts are creating acceptable use policies and employing filters to reduce their legal responsibility should problems arise. Even these actions can create issues. If all students are required to log in to gain access to the internet, companies can use this information to target services and products to them specifically.
While the internet is a powerful tool, it can be used for right or wrong reasons. The legal system could be a means to trying to tame the animal of the internet, but only for a time. As technology progresses, so to must legal definitions and details. There is a delicate balance that must be struck between freedom and chaos. Can we attain it?
Assignment #9 - Minimizing risks
The risks associated with the use of internet are great. No one can deny it. In an earlier document, I quoted from Spiderman "With great power comes great responsibility," In end, responsibility is the key to minimiziing the risks of the internet. Adults need to communicate with each other and become educated about the internet. Parents can investigate the use of controls and filters in their homes. Teachers should become more aware of risks and improve their technical savvy. They can educate students and parents about safety concerns and appropriate practices. Guest speakers and discussion groups can further enhance understanding and broaden perspectives. Everyone can model appropriate behavior on the internet.
Will even the most conscientious parent or teacher help their students avoid every downfall of the internet? No. Quite simply, the beast is too big. But, if they have given their students the ability to self regulate and the feeling of responsibility to themselves and others, then the students will be able to meet the challenges of today's internet and tomorrow's technologies.
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