Family Guide to Internet Safety - Howard County Library

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The Internet opens the door to a world of endless possibilitiesfor children and teens. Our guide serves toeducate parents on how vital it is to be aware of thepotentially hazardous dangers of the Internet and howimportant it is to instill smart, safe on-line habits in theirchildren and teens. Through our guide, parents willlearn how they can help their kids get the most fromtheir Internet use while remaining safe and unaffectedby its hidden dangers. It also discusses such topics ascyberethics, cyberbullying, blogging, online social networksand safety tips.Leaders in the fields of law enforcement, education,library systems, and telecommunications provide theirexpertise on where parents can go to get help.discusses how teachersand parents can make learning meaningful throughtechnology. They communicate how technology is anideal tool to connect students to learning and that forstudents, technology is a way of life and an integralpart of their future. They discuss guidelines that havebeen established for the appropriate use of computersand computer networks. They also share Internet Safetystrategies for parents/guardians and online resources tofurther protect children and teens while online. introduces ways in which parentscan help ensure their children have a positive onlineexperience by learning about the Internet and how itworks. They reveal what they are doing and online resourcesthey are providing to support the use of technologyand its safe use for students and their families. discuss their commitmentto online safety and their participation in the MarylandInternet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is astatewide, multi-agency task force designed to safeguardchildren against Internet crime. This article reveals waysin which parents can better protect their children andteens from becoming victims of online crimes. shares ways in which parentsand children can protect their personal informationwhile online. They remind parents that an identity thiefdoes not have to set foot in their house to steal personalinformation or identity. In addition, they will introduceparents to the CyberEthics Art Poster Contest, whichserves to educate children about safe practices when online.A questionnaire is included in this guide to helpthem identify major online issues affecting parents andchildren. Its feedback will later be used in a hands-oneducational workshop for students and parents/guardianson issue relating to safe online practices.
&Internet SafetyHoward CountyPublic SchoolSystemIn today’s technology-oriented world, students learnquite differently than even their parents did whenthey were in the classroom. It is vital that students feelconnected with the instructional approaches used intheir classrooms.“Research indicates the seemingly constant exposure tomultiple, overlapping sights and sounds has affected theneural pathways of digital students’ brains. Essentiallytheir brains respond to sensory input differently thanolder, pre-1980 brains. Some researchers contend that inorder to retain information and be able to put it to use,they must have multi-sensory input” (Apple Education,2006).How can teachers and parents make learningmeaningful? Technology is an ideal tool to connectstudents to learning. For students, technology is a way oflife. It is what they do. It is how they live.The Health Essential Curriculum also reinforces Internetsafety through the following units in middle school:• 6th grade - Identify strategies for safe Internet use.• 8th grade - Recognize and demonstrate strategiesto avoid dangerous, destructive, or unlawful onlinebehavior.At other grade levels Internet safety is included withinthe content of other objectives:• 3rd grade - Identify appropriate behaviors forpotentially dangerous situations.• 4th grade - Develop a plan to respond appropriatelyto potentially dangerous situations. Explore anddifferentiate among conflict resolution strategies forissues such as name-calling, bullying, and harassment.• 9th grade - Analyze behaviors and settings that placeindividuals at risk for violence, injury, and prematuredeath.The Library Media Essential Curriculum teachesresponsible use of the Internet at the elementary, middleand high school levels.In today’s world, educators are making increasing useof instructional resources found via the Internet. Theincreased use of such resources requires that staff andstudents take steps to ensure that the tools and resourceslocated are appropriate for use in our classrooms.In addition, guidelines have been established for theappropriate use of computers and computer networks.Following is an excerpt from the HCPSS SecondaryStudent Handbook, which is distributed to all secondarystudents at the beginning of the school year:I will be responsible for my behavior on the schoolcomputer network.I will not reveal personally identifiable information,such as home phone numbers, addresses or socialsecurity numbers.I will access only those resources for which I haveobtained permission, using the account assignedto me. I will not create, access, download, store, orprint files, messages or images that:• Depict profanity, obscenity, the use of weapons,or violence.• Promote use of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, or otherillegal or harmful products.• Contain sexually suggestive messages.• Are sexually explicit or obscene.• Depict gang affiliation.• Contain language or symbols that demean anidentifiable person or group or otherwise infringeon the rights of others.• Cause or are likely to cause a substantial ormaterial disruption to school activities or theorderly operation of the school• Contain rude, disrespectful, or discourteousexpressions inconsistent with civil discourse andbehavior.I will use the computer hardware, software andrelated equipment for educational purposes only.I will use all computer hardware, software andrelated equipment with proper care.I will only enter the computer lab when a teacheris present.I will access computers as instructed by a teacher.
Page 2 and 3: Carol Fritz, Coordinator ofMedia an
Page 6 and 7: I will use only authorized software
Page 8 and 9: LazarusFoundationYou may be careful
Page 10 and 11: 1. Where is your child’s computer
Page 12: • Lands and Peoples - A colorful
Page 15 and 16: When it comes to protecting their c

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