Computers and The Internet

The Teachers Internet and Safety Guide also states that sites are full of pornographic materials, drug information, pretty much anything you can think of.  Also, perverts and criminals have utilized the internet to find their victims. Should you avoid your child using the internet?  No, there are things you can do to protect your children.  Even though we may not have to worry about abusers stalking children; we do have to worry about predators attacking children and hacking into their computer. Students should also have parental settings to certain levels of web sites being used. 

Blogging

When using blogging in our classrooms, teachers must keep in mind that students are not always careful or smart about what they put on the internet for all to see.  We must keep track of what kind of personal information students are putting on their blogs for our class. Alot of students put personal information such as phone numbers, address, that acquire computer hackers and domestic violence, that goes into peoples privacy. Tools for Teks reports, the only thing a person needs to create a blog or read a blog is: a computer with internet access, a blog service website address, and the ability to remember a username and password.  If our students are putting personal information on their blogs; it is not hard for a predator to get a hold of it.  Susan Hyde wrote a blog with pointers on how teachers can ensure safety in their classroom when using the internet for blogging.

Ideas to Keep Students Safe

As I have said before, when using the internet for research and projects, teachers must ensure student safety.  Teachers are able to block bad sites from students when researching, so as to ensure no student goes there.  How to Block Bad Websites?  Another good website to use for students to search is eMINTS.  This website has many webquests on it that are safe and educational.  Teachers could also make a list of approved websites for students to use and search; this will keep children from trying to use websites such as making jokes with their peers and going to certain sites on accident, that way you will be sure that you are not having students in the wrong areas of the internet.

Quiz Yourself