Web Safety

Ways to protect kids using the internet:

•According to SafeSurf.com, a free Safe Surf Rating File can be download and used to choose levels of tagged content the browser will be allowed to display.
•Parents can review "Social Web Tips for Teens" at www.connectsafely.org. It recommends not harassing one's peers, not talking about sex with strangers, not meeting in-person, etc.
•Instead of situating computers in kids' rooms, put in high traffic area to monitor time spent on-line and content.
•Non-confrontational discussions with one's children about sexting: Have they heard of it? What do they think about it?
•Have your children use Facebook privacy settings to limit who sees their info.
•Go over "How to recognize grooming" at www.connectsafely.org. Lists specific tactics/lines "predators" use to exploit kids.

At my school, computers exist in the library which is heavily blocked and in a new lab which presumably has the same safety blocks.

I intend to use the 10 Safety Tips for Video-Sharing at www.connectsafely.org to educate my 10th graders about ethical issues regarding video-making, in order to protect their subjects from humiliation, etc., and themselves and the school from lawsuits. There have been a few dicey incidents involving insensitive footage.