R U Net Smart?

HIN Focuses on Online Safety

Today's generation of students has the world at its fingertips, but the wide world of the Web can be a mixed blessing for their teachers and parents. From social networking overload to privacy and safety issues, how can you keep your kids safe online without clipping their wings?

The NEA's Health Information Network (HIN), Sprint, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have joined forces to educate parents, teachers, and students about online safety. Delegates to NEA's national Representative Assembly (July 2007) shared their own suggestions for the classroom and at home.

In the Classroom. "Educate children about Internet dangers and take appropriate steps to protect them," says New Jersey Internet teacher Sue Jaysnovitch.

• Enforce your school's Acceptable Use Policy, which outlines appropriate ways to use school computers.
  
  
• Report any risky behavior or findings to school authorities (e.g., kids posting private information to social networking sites).
  
  
• Show students how to look up their names online periodically. If anything damaging is posted, have them inform their parents and/or the local authorities.
  
  
• Teach students not to believe everything they read online. "Many of them take Wikipedia as the gospel truth," says Jaysnovitch.
  
  
• Promote technology-friendly curricula.

At Home. "To promote safe surfing online, be vigilant," says Theresa Dudley, a Maryland teacher and parent.

• Put the computer in a common area where it's easier to monitor.  
  
   
• Block inappropriate sites with Web filters and explain why these areas are off-limits. Also tell your children why they should exercise caution online so they understand you're not arbitrarily making rules.
  
  
• Did you know that LMIRL means Let's Meet In Real Life? Well, your kids do. That's why it's critical to make rules for Internet usage, such as never meet anyone in person you met online and don't give out personal information.

Go to the  NEA Health Information Network to sign up for the bNetS@vvy bimonthly newsletter on Internet safety and check out the NCMEC's site, Net Smartz Workshop for more tips and NSTeens for comic book-style characters that model safe online practices.