A STUDENT’S GUIDE TO THE WEB
BE SAFE!
- Protect personal information – Never post your or a peer’s full name, school, phone number, address or any other personal information on the web unless directed by a guardian or teacher.
- Do not share your username or password with anyone except a guardian. Don’t give others the chance to abuse your identification.
- Never agree to meet an online “friend” without your parent or guardian’s knowledge. Some people online are not who they say they are.
- Use privacy settings in social media sites. Social media sites may be an avenue for identity thieves, scam artists, strangers and other undesirables to gather information about you.
BE AWARE!
- Think before you post! Inappropriate information and images could put you at risk, embarrass you, or damage your future. Remember the web is a public domain and that nothing put on the web is ever totally erased. If it was ever posted, it may still be accessed – so avoid sharing anything that you wouldn’t want your mom or your future kids to read. If you’re not sure, don’t post it!
- Document your work to avoid plagiarism, on purpose or by accident. If you use anyone else’s ideas, give credit or cite the source.
- Think about what you see online. There is a lot of great information on the web, but many resources are unreliable. They may be biased, hateful or just plain wrong. Use reputable sources and use multiple sources; talk to an adult if you come across something that you find offensive or makes you uncomfortable.
- Check with an adult before downloading and routinely check your security software to protect against viruses, malware and other online threats.
- Follow directions and ask for help when you need it.
BE RESPECTFUL!
- Treat others online as you wish to be treated in person. It is too easy to forget that real people with real feelings are behind avatars and usernames.
- Ask for permission. Obtain explicit permission before capturing pictures, audio, video or other means of recording another student. Also, seek consent BEFORE posting pictures, audio, or video from class on any site outside of the class website.
- Cyberbullying is harmful to you and others. Posting words or images that embarrass, hurt or harass others can have lifelong consequences for both the victim and the bully. Cyberbullying is a crime. Tell a trusted adult if you are bullied or know of someone being bullied. Do not respond, but save the evidence. You can even report to the phone company, police or CyberTipline.com
Classroom Resources for Teaching Teen Safety
- http://www.highschoolcube.com/event/internet-safety-tutorial-356527 - classroom appropriate video lesson on internet safety with rules from High School Cube.
- http://www.nsteens.org/Videos - videos geared towards teens on many online safety topics including cyberbullying, online proliferation of information, catfishing (faked online friends), and online predators.
- http://www.netsmartz.org/Resources/Pledges - age appropriate safety pledges for students from primary through high school
- http://www.midlandisd.net/Page/15492 - Midland Indepdendent School District Technology department presents a series of videos covering digital citizen topics from safety to phishing
- http://www.thinkb4u.com/ - Goggle sponsored series of web safety videos, short lessons and interactive games on responsible use of the Internet and of cell phones.
Resources
Internet Safety for Teens. (2013).Access Washington. Retrieved from http://www.atg.wa.gov/internetsafety/teens.aspx.
Magid, L. (2013). Child Safety on the Information Highway - SafeKids.com. Retrieved from http://www.safekids.com/child-safety-on-the-information-highway/.
New Online Student Orientation.(2012).George Brown College. Retrieved from http://liad.georgebrown.ca/liad/OnlineStudentOrientation/netiquette.html
Online Etiquette [Netiquette]. (2013). Marist High School. Retrieved from http://www.marist.org/netiquette/
Ross, Seth T. (1990-2011).The Core Rules Of Netiquette.Albion.com. Retrieved from http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html