How to Stay Safe on the Internet!
For Young Elementary School Students (K-3rd)
By Sarah Cash
Why Do We Want to Use the Internet in School?
The Internet can be a valuable source of information. You can use it to do research, make projects, learn new information, and even play educational games. In order for you to be a successful Internet user, you must stay safe!
(Source: 123rf.com)
Communication
One main feature of the Internet is that it allows you to communicate with others. You can use the Internet to communicate with your teacher if you have a question about homework, or you can communicate with your classmates if you are working on a project. You can even communicate with friends and family who live far away! In order to communicate safely through the Internet, you should only communicate with people you actually know. You should always get permission and assistance from a trusting adult such as a parent or a teacher when using the Internet to communicate.
(Source: Escondido Police Department)
What to NEVER Do on the Internet
- *NEVER share personal information such as your name, address, telephone number, age, or school
- *NEVER send a stranger a picture of you or anything that could be used to identify you
- *NEVER share your password with anyone but a parent or teacher
- *NEVER open e-mails or messages from strangers
(Source: Common Sense Media)
Internet Safety
The video above was made in a second grade classroom that may be similar to yours! It shares information on how to stay safe on the Internet by not sharing personal information, not talking to strangers, not sharing your password, and not getting viruses.
(Source: Vimeo)
(Source: Vimeo)
What is a Virus?
A virus is a program that could possibly hurt your computer. Viruses can attack without you knowing, so you need to do your best to stay away from them. There are currently 85,000 known viruses, and new ones are created all the time! If you want to keep your computer virus free, you should make sure your computer has an anti-virus software, and you should not open e-mails from unknown senders. Your parents and/or teachers should make sure your computer has anti-virus software before you use it.
Using Proper Net Etiquette
Net Etiquette is rules for behaving in an acceptable way on the Internet. Just like you use manners in real life, you need to use your manners on the Internet in order to be polite. The following link includes a list of common Net Etiquette that you should always remember to use!
The students pictured above are using the Internet at school just like you can!
(Source: Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary School)
(Source: Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary School)
Plagiarism
One important rule to remember when doing class projects or papers is that you cannot plagiarize someone else's work. Plagiarism is when you copy what someone else has already done. For example, if you were doing a project on birds and found a website with bird facts, you would be plagiarizing if you copied down the facts word for word. You have to learn to put facts into your own words. Your teacher will check to make sure you do not plagiarize, and if you do, you will probably get in trouble.
Learn More About Internet Safety
The website above has many videos that can teach you more about using the Internet and staying safe. You can watch videos about Net Etiquette, passwords, and more!
Sources
- Common Sense Media. "Internet Safety Tips for Elementary School Kids." Common Sense Media. Common Sense Media, 19 Mar 2012. Web. 4 Feb 2013. <http://www.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-parents/internet-safety-tips-elementary-school-kids>.
- "Learn With Clicky." Net Smartz Kids. The National Center For Missing & Exploited Children. Web. 4 Feb 2013. <http://www.netsmartzkids.org/LearnWithClicky>.
- Ledue, Michelle. Internet Safety. 2012. Video. Vimeo, n.d. Web. 4 Feb 2013. <http://vimeo.com/33878437>.
- N.d. Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary School, Ocala, FL. Web. 4 Feb 2013. <http://www.marion.k12.fl.us/schools/nhj/computers.cfm>.
- N.d. Escondido Police Department, Escondido, CA. Web. 4 Feb 2013. <http://police.escondido.org/internet-safety.asp&xgt>.
- Viskova, Klara. Cartoon smiling desktop computer. 2008. 123rf, n.d. Web. 4 Feb 2013. <http://www.123rf.com/photo_9353062_cartoon-smiling-desktop-computer--vector-illustration.html>.
- "Wise Kids Guide to Net Etiquette." Wise Kids. Wise Kids, n.d. Web. 4 Feb 2013. <http://www.wisekids.org.uk/netetiquette.htm>.