Wednesday, June 19, 2013


Cyberbullying: The New Online Crime
Online Safety Guidebook for Parents from the US Department of Education
The Secretary of Education, the Federal Trade Commission chairman, and the Federal Communications Commission chairman jointly announced the publication of an online safety guidebook for parents. Entitled Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online, the guidebook is a resource designed to help parents teach children about navigating the Internet safely. It addresses many topics that children should be aware of in using the Internet, including the safe use of social networking websites, dealing with cyberbullying, and how to protect computers from viruses and spyware. The guidebook is available to download for free on OnGuardOnline.gov, which is the federal government's online safety website.
Publication http://www.onguardonline.gov/pdf/tec04.pdf
News release http://www.ed.gov/news/events/advisory.html#121509
PBS - Get Your Web License
PBS Kids is a great resource for elementary school teachers, students, and parents. Recently I came across the PBS Kids Get Your Web License activity. In this activity students are asked a series multiple choice questions about web safety and other web-related topics. As students answer the questions they move around a "track" on the PBS Kids website. When students have answered all of the questions correctly they get their web licenses.
iSafe
Has programs for educators, parents, and children. They offer a free series of online videos which are very current and well done. By watching the 2-3 hours of videos and curriculum a user may become "certified" as having completed the training and may order free materials. They offer excellent internet safety curriculum. They also have a monthly newsletter specific to educators, parents, and students. I recommend you create and account and start viewing the online materials from their iLearn site.
NetSmartz
Real life stories, video streamed, activity cards and handouts. Great cyberbullying videos. Activities designed for MS and HS students which take about 20 minutes.
GetNetWise.org
This is a clearinghouse of information including: Keeping Children Safe Online, Stopping Unwanted E-mail and Spam, Protecting Your Computer From Hackers and Viruses, Keeping your Personal Info Private. Includes links to child friendly search engines, filtering tools, monitoring tools, etc.
IKeepSafe.org
Cute Faux Paw online video, safety tips which may be printed.
ProtectKids.com
Great statistics, printable rules and tools, info on the harmful effects of pornography
Protect Mi Child Registry
Allows parents to register electronic addresses used by children to access the internet. Once an address has been registered, senders of messages that advertise or link to prohibited products or services are required to remove the address from their mailing list. Prohibited products include tobacco, gambling, pornography, illegal drugs, and other illegal products.
Kidrocket
For young children using the Internet - there are specialized Internet browsers which do not allow going to any other sites. Limited in the sites it allows visiting, but it is free.
Internet Safety Article
FBI's Parent's Guide to Internet Safety
In English and Spanish, this guide contains information on how to reduce online risks.
Chat Danger
cybertipline
Disney Surfswell
Livewwwires
Missing Kids
Net Detectives
Safe Kids
Safe Teens
Safety Clicks
Surftips
4 Teachers
Wired Kids