Helping Children Navigate The World Wide Web

I am visiting classrooms this month discussing personal body safety--teaching children how to keep themselves safe if someone tries to hurt their body. This year I am incorporating aspects of internet safety in my lessons with older students. I personally believe I would be doing a disservice to students and families if I didn't address safety on the internet and other forms of technology communication. This applies to personal safety issues and bullying. We live in a very unique day and age where our children are "techy"-r than any of us might think to be (well, more than me, anyway!). In other words, our kids know more about the internet than we do! The internet provides an avenue for connecting, educating, expressing, and learning that is incredibly beneficial to children and adults alike. The internet is a powerful tool, undoubtedly.

Nonetheless, I believe students and children need guidance on how to be "good digital citizens." We are hear more and more these days about bullying taking unique shape on the internet (and through text, for that matter). Kids say hurtful, mean things to others though technology that they might not THINK to say in person. The internet provides for children an environment that feels anonymous and secret. It similar to the reason kids bully when adults aren't around, they don't feel there will be repercussions if an adult or others don't see it happening.

Because the internet can be anonymous, it can be a dangerous place for children. When kids meet people "online" they may be walking into a very dangerous situation even though it seems benign. Therefore, there are many reasons to have a discussion with your children whenever they begin to use technology whether texting, searching online, joining social media outlets, etc.

As a school counselor I am seeing more and more of these issues affecting the school environment. Though students are not able to access texts and internet social websites at school, what they say and do through these avenues after school absolutely spills over into the classroom and playground.

So, I would ask you to partner with me in teaching children how to be kind when no one is looking! To protect their safety, reputation, and friendships. To help combat the dangerous affects of bullying. To keep them safe.

You can find more information at the following websites. On them are links to many different resources you can use to have a discussion with your child regarding responsible, respectful, and safe use of the internet and other sources of technology and communication.

http://www.educational-freeware.com/news/internet-safety.aspx

http://alldistrict.leesummit.k12.mo.us/internetsafety/