Session 1

 

            There are many safety concerns when dealing with the internet. These can be very dangerous problems. Ones in which all online users need to be aware of.

One of these concerns is encountering an online predator. A predatoris someone who exploits others for financial and even sexual reasons. As a result, many children “fall into their trap” by giving out personal information while online. They may mention their full name, mention their street name, or even where they go to school. Predators may probe children for more information while pretending to be a peer. They could even search for these children’s homes on live map based on the information given. While online, children may feel safe and anonymous. However, predators are always willing to take advantage. If children mention having practice afterschool, then these sick people know exactly when to follow these kids home. Parents really need to supervise their children while they are using instant messaging or in chat rooms to prevent being a victim of an online predator.

            In addition, parents need to be aware of the dangers of the internet. Children don’t need computers in their bedrooms. It should be out in the open where the parents can monitor what their children are doing online. Too often, computers are used as “babysitters” instead of a family activity. Without supervision, children can easily get on sites they shouldn’t be on. At the same time, children may innocently type a term into Google and accidently find pornography. Therefore, all parents should use filtering. While some inappropriate sites may slip through the filter, it will greatly decrease that number.

            Predators also take advantage of others financially. They can intentionally create and use viruses to steal personal financial records. This iscommonlyreferred to as identity theft.  These viruses can be attached to emails or Instant Messaging or in “junk emails” called spam. Another process of gaining credit cards records or passwords is through the use of phishing. This is a way of acting like a legitimate website but actually is a method of acquiring information from a phony website. Spyware can also collect this type of information. It can redirect uses to alternative websites or install additional viruses.

Lastly, online bullying is aproblem that many children face today. Cruel and dishonest statements and photographs can be posted on web pages or sent through email. Children cannot escape from their attackers because this information is posted for public to see.

            These terms can be associated with the many issues surrounding internet safety. Being familiar with what is out there, can help protect the many online users.

 

 

    

         

Youtube- It’s a website to view, upload and share video clips. It’s a great way to see clips from movies or television shows. I viewed a funny one with Tina Fey from SNL!  You could show your class educational clips or children’s programs/songs like Fraggle Rock.  However, there are ”Spoofs” of known TV shows and movies. If you type in GI Joe for example, it’s not the real show. New voices and dialogue are added, and it’s not appropriate for children. Also, homemade video clips which could be questionable are uploaded. Everyone needs to be aware to view all material before showing it to your students and children!

 

 

 

Instant Messaging-It is a great way to have a “live” conversation while online or on your cell phone. You see the dialogue before your eyes. It’s much quicker to have a conversation this way, than waiting for emails to arrive and then reply back. If you don’t want to have a conversation with one of your contacts, then you could mark yourself as “offline.” However, it can be an annoyance if you are online and several contacts keep “talking” to you. Some programs can let you transfer files and possibly leave messages for you when you are offline.Some of the risks with the cell phone is that children can take a phone and have private conversations. They also can delete messages. On the computer (if in a public room of the house) can be seen and monitored. Also, you can go back and retrieve conversations.

 

 

 

 

 

 Email-It’s a way to send, receive, and save electronic messages. Along with email you could send and receive files (documents or photo attachments).  It’s a faster way of communicating at work and with family and friends at home. A person could check their email anywhere in the world, and see all their saved messages and send new ones. Also, you could send multiple people the same message all at one time. I also like the idea of BCC (Blind cc messages). If I am replying to a message (Example: a parent), I can send that email with my response to someone else (Example: other teachers who need to know) without the parent knowing. This makes it faster than going into email and then finding my sent folder, and finally forwarding the message on.  The problem with email is spam (the extra junk emails). Also, while you can trade files they may be inappropriate. They could be pics, or porn. By trading files, is a way around web filters.

 

 

 

 

 

 Podcasts-It’s an audio or video file that can be viewed or uploaded. Some are useful education tools. Absent students could view/listen to the material that was presented in class. We made podcasts in your internet class, where we shared lesson plans and curriculum information with other teachers. This could be a useful tool in the educational world. Again, all material should be viewed prior to showing it to students. Anything can be posted and may be inappropriate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Online Gaming-Is a social network of players. Instead of playing solitaire by yourself, you now could play games with multiple players around the world. In fact, you can talk with one another as you are playing the game. The downside, is that complete strangers could be asking for more information about you when you think they are just being “friendly.” They have already established a friendship through a common interest, and could more likely get personal information out of you.  Also, some of these games cost money and many people become addicted to playing. In addition, children give out too much information. If they sign-up and add their full names and birthdate it is enough info for their identities to be stolen.

 

 

 

 

 

 Blogs- A blog is essentially a person’s website.  People get a chance to share their thoughts with the world. They can update it regularly with political views, news, or more personal thoughts like a diary. You can constantly update your blog with photos or commentary. Visitors can leave comments and if you want you could link it to your email. Some blog sites such as Blogspot, you are in control of who can view and leave comments. If you don’t like the comments, then you possess the power to delete them. You can also find other blogs from people who share your same interests. Also, people may add too much information to their blogs. If they mention their town or name, they could be easily found (even identity theft). In addition, if you don't turn off the feature for people to leave comments, then people could leave inapproriate messages.

 

 

 

 

 

MySpace-It’s a social networking site where people can share information and photos about themselves or others. It is a way to communicate with friends, while being a “virtual playground” for predators. It is extremely dangerous for children to use since all students do NOT understand about limiting personal information. Many think it is okay to post where they live or their school name. This makes it much easier for online predators to find them. Teenagers use it with the intent to communicate with friends and leave comments. However, sometimes they are contacted by people they do not know. In addition, they may share photos or comments that are inappropriate and can be viewed by the police, school, or employers, which puts their future at risk. It's the "digital courage" that children have. They wouldn't say the same thing to someone in person. In addition, some conversation topics could be inapproriate. Children can easily lie about their age and join different conversations. Children add too much information and could be victims of online predators. Lastly, they could share their passwords with friends and their pages be compromised. These sites are not well monitored.

 

 

 

 Session 6

 

One risk involved for students using the internet is sharing passwords. People may come along and make changes on their Facebook or Myspace pages. They could post embarring photos or comments. This certainly is a form of cyber-bullying. This type of harrassment has even led to more dangerous situations such as suicide. In addition, students are likely to lie on these social networking sites and give out too much personal information. When young children say they are older or tell where they live, it gives predators easy access to them. Students also have "digital courage." They are more likely to engage in behavior or say things that they wouldn't normally say in person. Camera phones are more widely used to for these inappropriate pictures. This could jeopardize their futures if pictures or comments are viewed by the police, colleges, or potential employers. In addition, this "digital courage" could be used for bullying of others.

 

 

 Session 8 & 9

 

To minimize risks: Eduation is the key! Teachers need to discuss with other adults the comments on these social networking sites ( Put an end tobullying between sport teams). School districts are taking immediately action when they hear of incidents in other districts (sex sting). However, they need to be proactive and teach students the risks of internet usage.  Parents also need to eduacte themselves and have a responsibility to discuss with their children the potential risks of the internet. Parents have the right to block the pictures funcution on their child's phone. This may help in preventing inappriate pictures from being taken or shared. Also,  the service provider may also provide you a copy of these photos or inappropriate text messages so you know what your child is doing. These items could also be used in legal situations if your child is being bullied. In fact, Verizon itself is being sued because a student was harrassed by someone she met on a social networking site.  As more and more children use these social networking sites, more problems will arise. All districts by law need to have a cyber bullying policy. This is because cyber bullying is considered a crime by Pennsylvania's Attorny General. In fact, students who are cyber bullies aremore likely to commit other crimes. http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/press.aspx?id=1473

 

 

In fact to show how serious of a crime this is, the "law allows for dentention or even expulsion in some cases of online attacks." Students can now be "punished at school for what they may have done at home."  http://cbs3.com/local/Cyber.Bullies.Attack.2.821230.html

 

For e-Rate government funding, schools will also soon be required to teach web safety. This is a good idea to reinforce to students the potential risks. However, when these online attacks occur, a problems is proving who is at fault with these tech. issues. However, it comes down to acceptable use policy. At least for schools (perhaps not in court) , this holds up. Anything done on your account, is your fault. Therefore if students still are sharing passwords, after being taught not to, and another student student chooses to engage in this behavior the student who has the account is at fault.

 

 

Strategies for educating students: educate yourself to pass along current knowledge to students, have guest speakers to talk to students, generate discussion among students on this topic, model correct internet behavior (your showing internet safety), model correct district policy usage.

 

Strategies for educating parents: parental controls on operating systems, open house, resources online for parents, discussion groups, sending home material for parents to read. Parents need to be involved and keep the computer in a central location!