Keeping Students Safe in Cyber Space

Children today are digital natives.  Technology is a part of their everyday life, and they are able to communicate, connect, relax, and even spend money on phones and tablets with just a few clicks and swipes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

Why does Cyber Safety Matter?

We want students to be good decision makers when it comes to technology both at school and at home.  With kids technological abilities greater than their maturity and judgment, we know the stakes are high, so it is everyone's duty to help students understand how the digital world works.  Having unrestricted access to the world around them can both help and hinder students.  While students can gain a wealth of information and experience for a device, this can also mean that students can have access to inappropriate content and run the risk of exposure to bad things such as: 

Cyber Bullying

Sexting

Digital Age Dating

Compromised Privacy

Damaging Digital Footprints 

Tips for Parents

Common Sense Media and the Cyber Bullying Research Center provides tips, videos, and resources that help parents keep their children safe.  It is important for us to model positive behavior and set good examples.  A few tips that parents can use at home:  

- Keep the computer in a high-traffic area of your home.

- Establish limits for which online sites children may visit and for how long.

- Create a Family Media Agreement.

- Remember that Internet technology can be mobile, monitor cell phones, gaming devices, & laptops.

- Surf the Internet with your children and let them show you what they like to do online.

- Know who is connecting with your children online and set rules for social networking, instant messaging, e-mailing, online gaming, and using webcams.

- Continually dialogue with your children about online safety.