internet safety (web format)
KEY POINTS
- Think before you click.
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Free offers, spam emails, online quizzes, and other links are simply an attempt to gather your personal information.
- Giving out personal information can compromise your safety.
- Posting or sending your photo, location, name, and age online can be very risky.
- Undershare, don't overshare.
- Photos are permanent. Anyone can take a screenshot or save an image once it's out there.
- Think about your reputation now and your reputation later (potentially as an applicant for a job or scholarship opportunity).
POSTING PHOTOS
Photo sharing is so common, we hardly think about the consequences. Adults and children alike have created habits that twenty years ago would have been seen as reckless. Perhaps things haven't changed as much as we think.
A NetSafe video on YouTube does a good job of explaining why it is important to think about how your photos are instantly permanent when posted online and can be altered and reused at will. One possible exercise in class is to have students share how photos have been misused online.
On YouTube, you can search NetSafe Episode 9 or use these links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=103&v=5iAodD2heks
or
https://bit.ly/2M69o0X
START EARLY
As soon as kids begin to go online, parents need to begin explaining the rules. As preschoolers sit on our lap and watch while we visit sits or play apps, the conversation needs to begin. The natural progression is that we offer less supervision as the child gets older, so creating good habits needs to start early.
Children should be encouraged to:
1. Be a good digital citizen
2. Visit the site's safety section with an adult
3. Avoid strangers and ask questions. Avoid hitting enter to ever question that comes up.
4. Keep some stuff private - for your safety and the safety of others.
PLEDGE
A great story of how to "do the right thing" online circulated at ISTE this summer and recreated an incredible response. You can read the story yourself on the ISTE website, but basically, a TN teen was attempting to sell her old prom dress online and a relentless barrage of hateful comments, someone took the high road.
In an effort to promote digital citizenship, teachers are encouraging students to share a pledge of good digital citizenship on social media. It doesn't stop with students either. Parents and educators are also pledging to teach, guide, and learn with students as we face the challenges of online living - together.
The social media hashtag is #DigCitCommit .
OVERSHARING
FBI WARNING
SALT LAKE CITY — The FBI has released a new Public Service Announcement called "Think Before You Post" aimed at getting teens to avoid posting messages on social media that could be seen as threatening.
"It's not funny, it's not a prank. It's a crime. The ramifications are it could be up to five years of a federal sentence," said Brady.
According to a news release from the FBI, making false threats drains law enforcement resources and costs taxpayers a significant of money.
"When an investigation concludes there was a false or hoax threat made to a school, or another public place, a federal charge could be considered, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. If a federal charge is not warranted, state charges can be considered," the news release said.
The FBI asks anyone who sees potential threats or suspicious activity to continue contacting law enforcement.
"If there is any reason to believe the safety of others is at risk, we ask that the public immediately reach out to their local police department by calling 911, or contact the FBI via tips.fbi.gov or over the phone (1-800-CALL-FBI)," the news release said.
Other resources
- Social Media 101 http://blogs.egusd.net/digitalcitizenship/parents/social-media-101/
- Infographic: Citizenship in the digital age http://www.iste.org/sf-images/edtekhub/digital-citizen_infographic_final.png?sfvrsn=2
