I would like to take this time to post some general internet guidelines for both students and parents. The internet can be a wonderful place full of vast information. But at the same time, there are dangers with it as well. Please take a few moments to go through what I believe are some of the key points in using the internet safely:

Internet Guidelines for Student:

 1. Do not put your information on the web. You do not know who is out there or what they could do with that information. Some sites/programs you may be required to use may need some information that could be deemed personal, ( credit card #,address, or phone number) in these cases make sure your parents read the page with you, and that the are aware and agree with you sharing such information. 

2. Always start your search from a well-known search address such as Google, Ask.com or Bing. Those sites already help filter out the bad sites, helping you stay further away from the sites you shouldn’t be on. 

3. If you’re worried that what you’re looking at could get you in trouble, it mostly likely will. Be open about the sites that you find so that your parents can help you not stumble across them again, the more open you are, the more trustworthy you look.

  

4. Understand that sometimes you may know more about an app or game that you are using.  Educate your parents on exactly what it is and how to use it so they can better appreciate what you are doing and help decide if it is ok to use. http://www.safekids.com/kids-rules-for-online-safety/ (Links to an external site.)

  

5.Keep online communication kind and polite. Do not use bad language, threaten or bully others. If it is not something you would say or show your grandma do not post it.  Report behaviors such as bullying or bad language to an adult. Don’t be a bystander to online bullying. https://nobullying.com/bullying-definition (Links to an external site.) and http://iwitnessbullying.org/

6. When communicating with friends on gaming devices or the internet, do not reveal any private information that you would not tell them at school. Do not share your full name, address, phone number, passwords, pictures or your plans. http://primarytech.global2.vic.edu.au/2012/10/12/10-internet-safety-tips-for-students

7. Do not interact with anyone online that you do not know offline (for example chat rooms, social media, ect.)

8. Do not click on a link from a sender you do not know (it could contain a virus or inappropriate material)

9. Do not download anything without permission.  It may contain a virus 

10. Do not post anything you wouldn't want to share with the entire world.

Internet Guidelines for Parents: 

1. Create internet guidelines for your children while at home (that might be similar to the ones they have at school with some other rules added regarding chat rooms, etc-sa)

2. Teach children to not communicate with people online that they do not know. You never know who is truly sitting behind that computer screen. Also keep the lines of communication open, ask who they communicate with and make sure you know who they are. Also, explain the risks behind meeting online friends

3. Use parental controls (age appropriate) for children so that they do not access sites that are inappropriate or can be “dangerous” to the child

4. Establish a safety plan in case your child inadvertently sees or participates in something dangerous/inappropriate. What to do, who to contact and in what order.

5. Use the resources available to you. Many of the online sites the kids are in have safety features you can activate to help keep them protected. Take advantage of them.

6. Keep the computers, tablets in a visible part of the house. No tablets or computers in the bedrooms whenever possible.

7. Check and monitor the browsing history of the child, if a child is searching for something he or she should not be, you will see it here. This is important because even if the sites searched for are getting blocked by the parental controls, eventually there may be a site similar that is not.

8. Set time limits for your child’s internet/computer usage.

9.  We really need to emphasize the stranger danger approach to the internet. Children should be discouraged from all communication with individuals they do not interact with in person offline.

10. Be open with your children about what could be found online. If they understand why you’re wary of them searching online, they’ll feel respected, trusted, and hopefully return the same respect. https://internetsafety101.org/agebasedguidlines