Internet Safety

1
Internet Safety

• An Introduction and Guide to Additional Resources

2
Internet SafetyDiscussion Points

• Communication
• Developing Guidelines/Contract
• Internet Sources to Reinforce Guidelines
• Monitoring Internet Activity
• Parental Controls
• Child Safe Email
• Child Appropriate Search Engines Net
  Directories
• Public Library Online Resources
• Internet Safety Online Resources

3
Communication

• If children are allowed online, spend time with
  them and ask lots of questions
• -- What do you know how to do online? Show me
  what
• you like to do and the sites you like to
  visit.
• -- What sites do your friends visit or talk
  about?
• Work to make sure your children feel comfortable
  talking to you and/or another trusted adult if
  they encounter anything online that makes them
  feel uncomfortable
• Discuss guidelines and expectations for
  computer/Internet usage

4
Develop Guidelines/Contract

• Your guidelines should include the following
• Computer location (in a common area)
• Time limits for computer usage (will vary
  depending on age and activity - school work,
  games, etc.)
• A list of parent approved websites
• Private information clause (never give out name,
  address, pictures, passwords, parent info, credit
  card info, etc.

5
Develop Guidelines/Contract(contd)

• Never respond to unfamiliar text messages, email
  or pop-ups
• Never download or install software without
  parental permission
• Never agree to meet an online acquaintance
• Parent/Child/Trusted Adult Communications clause
• Discuss guidelines together
• Update guidelines as needs change

6
Use Internet Sources to Reinforce Guidelines

• Teach younger children to BE SMART
• http//www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/help/safesurfing/cartoon
  .shtml
• Use real life examples to help older children
  understand the risks
• - Learn more at http//ilearn.isafe.org/. Sign
  up for their free online training for parents to
  access their video clips.

7
Monitor Internet Activity

• Do you know where your child is?
• Check to make sure children are following your
  guidelines
• check web site history (this can be deleted if
  child is tech savvy)
• Consider using a blocking and filtering package
  like Cybersitter or purchasing a SnoopStick (PC
  only), a USB device that allows you to monitor
  and control your childs computer activity from
  any other computer.

8
Use Parental Controls

• Contact your cable company
• Comcast http//security.comcast.net/get-smart/pro
  tect-your-family/parental-controls.aspx
• Contact your DSL provider
• Mac OSX Leopard
• http//www.apple.com/macosx/features/parentalcontr
  ols.html
• Microsoft Windows (Vista)
• http//www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsv
  ista/features/details/parentalcontrols.mspx

9
Parental Control Features

• Blocking allows parents to lock out individual
  web sites.
• Filtering prevents access to content based on
  criteria such as drug use or violence.
• Restricting limits your childs time online or
  whom your children can contact via e-mail or
  instant messaging.

• http//security.comcast.net/get-smart/protect-your
  -family/parental-controls.aspx

10
Child Safe Email

• Check with your Internet Service Provider and
  find out how their email service works with their
  parental control options
• Consider using a child-safe email account
  provider like Kidsafemail or Zoobuh
• https//www.kidsafemail.com/
• http//www.zoobuh.com/

11
Public Library Suggested Search Engines
Internet Directories

• Be sure to test these sites before allowing your
• children to use them
• OneKey (Google for Kids)
• http//www.onekey.com/
• Ask for Kids
• http//www.askforkids.com/
• Yahoo Kids
• http//kids.yahoo.com/
• KidsClick
• http//www.kidsclick.org/
• CyberSleuth Kids
• http//cybersleuth-kids.com/

12
Get a Boston Public Library Card!

• A Boston Public Library card will give you access
  to several child-appropriate databases

13
Internet Safety Online Resources

• Online safety activity video (grades k-4)
• http//www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/help/safesurfing/cartoon
  .shtml
• Internet safety animations and videos
• http//www.wiredsafety.org/flashandvideo/index.htm
  l
• Free Internet Safety Online Training for parents
• http//ilearn.isafe.org/

14
Need more information?

• Contact
• Tracey Calabrese
• Technology Curriculum Coordinator
• Kingsley Montessori School
• 26 Exeter Street
• Boston, MA 02116
• tracey_c_at_kingsley.org