Internet Safety for Children
Netiquette and copyright rules
The Internet, educational or dangerous?
The internet can be a great way for kids today to get some extra practice with math or reading, however, if children aren't taught how to be safe on the internet they can be putting themselves into a dangerous situation without realizing it. One way to protect your children while they are using the internet is to install an Internet Blocking program. These types of programs require a password to be able to change the settings and can be set to block adult oriented material, social networks, or other websites that could mean trouble for your children. Another way to protect your children is to make sure they know how to use the internet properly. This includes safe searching, keeping your personal information safe and only going to approved websites as well as asking you to sign-up for any website that requires registration. By getting you to sign them up it gives you a chance to preview the website and make sure that the content is age appropriate. By working together with your children you can make sure that the internet is a safe place for them to surf.
Netiquette - Internet 101
Tip 1. There is another person on the other end of your message.
If you wouldn't say it to someone's face, then you should not send it in an email, forum post, or text message. Just because you are not there to see the damage negativity can cause does not make it any less damaging. Flaming posts are extremely rude and can be hurtful. They should be avoided.
Tip 2. Emails, forum posts or text messages should be easily legible.
This means before you send any messages you should always check for spelling and grammar mistakes, and avoid text speak in formal circumstances. A boss or your coworkers are not going to be impressed that you can condense a paragraph down to one sentence that is composed of letters and numbers. This can also make the meaning of your message unclear.
Tip 3. No one likes spam.
The food, or the junk email that fill your inbox. Remember this before forwarding that chain letter.
Tip 4. Before posting with a question on a website, quickly scan the FAQ (frequently asked questions) document.
Odds are, your question may have already been answered, and if it has, then the answer will be there. If you have already checked the FAQ and the answer is not there then go ahead and post it.
Tip 5. Information on the internet is not always kept up to date.
Sometimes websites are created and for one reason or another, the owner can not come back and update the information as often as they would like. Be forgiving of out of date information, or of mistakes on the internet. New information and procedures are discovered every single day and it makes it difficult to make sure you are absolutely up to date.
References
AOL On - Teaching Your Kids to Respect Creative Work on the Internet. (n.d.). AOL On Homepage. Retrieved July 8, 2013, from http://on.aol.com/video/teaching-your-kids-to-respect-creative-work-on-the-internet-517729053
Click Clever, Click Safe - help your child enjoy the internet safely | nidirect. (n.d.). nidirect - The official government website for Northern Ireland citizens. Retrieved July 8, 2013, from http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/click-clever-click-safe-help-your-child-enjoy-the-internet-safely
Mod2_Computer Networks Security and Ethics. (n.d.). Blackboard Learn. Retrieved July 6, 2013, from https://learn.uncw.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-777925-dt-content-rid-3827055_1/users/martinf/Mod2_Computer%20Networks%20Security%20and%20Ethics%20output/story.html