In the most basic of terms, cyber safety topics can be thought of in two categories: personal safety and cyber security. The major personal safety challenges of socialization in the cyber community include:
- Access and/or exchange of inappropriate sites/materials – including sites that are objectionable for racial, sexist, political, and sexual content, those that promote illegal activity such as gambling or the sale of drugs and unreliable resource sites (those that are simply people’s opinions presented as fact, a situation that is not always clearly understood by students).
- Online harassment and bulling through user generated activities: text and IM, social networking, online video, etc.
- Providing/posting too much identifying/personal information – this includes ignorance or disregard for the fact that once information is online, it is difficult or impossible to remove.
- Interaction with cyber predators – including text and email exchanges, web cams, video sharing, etc.
Cyber security challenges are most often thought of as those concerning computer viruses and protecting a system from outside threats. However, security issues extend far beyond the threat of the latest worm. They include:
- Interactive malware infection – including computer viruses brought in via authorized and unauthorized CDs or other portable media (jump drives, etc.)
- Malicious activity including hacking and defacing online environments.
- Access and usage of Intellectual property – including the use and exchange of copyrighted material
Technology in schools is being supported through a variety of public and private funding opportunities. One of the ways that government has become involved in promoting technology in schools is through the E-rate program.
In October of 2008, Federal legislation was passed that mandates schools receiving E-rate funds to provide Internet safety education. If desired google the topic or research the legislation at E-School News.
Blog about it: In your opinion, will this new legislation have a direct impact on real-life cyber safety issues? Why or why not?
20 comments:
I feel that it is up to the schools to teach internet safety and though our time is limited we owe it to our students to provide them a safe place to create and work in. One of the problems is time, just as in the student's home the school environment has so many items on it's plate. We have curriculums to teach, events to sponosor, emotional issues to deal with our students, and many other issues that arise through school politics and parent concerns. I find it sad that our day is too busy to accomplish everything we set out to do. Hearts are in the right place but we need more time and able bodies. I wish the tech specialists could help with internet safety but I know their hands are full just keeping computers up and running. Annie
Knowledge is power. I believe the more we empower children and their caregivers with information the safer our students will be. It's so easy to say be careful, but if we (students/families) don't know what to look for or to be aware of, it's a lost cause.
Internet safety is a VERY important component when teaching technology. Students are taught safety rules throughout their school careers (playground, driving, etc.) and this is just another situation in which it is essential. Students often have that, "it will never happen to me" attitude. They need to be aware of all the dangers and risks associated with the internet.
Internet Safety should go "hand in hand" with the technology we are teaching. If we teach students the proper way to search using Google, then we should also teach what to do when a student stumbles upon something inappropriate. There are various subjects associated with the term "Internet safety." For example, it's very important for students to learn what to post and not to post on FaceBook or MySpace (although the video clearly shows how one can still gain valuable information, even from a student who is being careful).
Likewise we should teach what happens when our PCs catch a virus or worm, albeit a different type of Intenet safety here.
We really need to teach responsibility with using the Internet like we teach students how to properly use a tool in industrial arts.
If (and I really need to see the $$ here) the government devotes money and resources to our efforts to teach Internet safety, all the better. However, I'm seeing too many "unfunded mandates" meaning that the responsibility falls on teachers shoulders alone. I hope this won't be the case.
Also, safe and appropriate use of the Internet should start in K and move up the grade ladder. The sooner we start with students, the better, in my opinion.
As a science teacher, my year begins with several days of science safety instruction, and constant safety reminders specific to particular activities throughout the year. The reasons for this are twofold- to protect kids and insure they come to no harm, AND and to protect myself in a litigious society where bad things sometimes happen and someone is held to blame. Before using any web2.0 technology apps where there is a potential for "accidents" to occur, I would also feel compelled to teach kids about safe use of the internet in general and for a particular application specifically. For the kids especially, but also to cmya with respect to administrators or parents who hear secondhand about a particular activity at school that evokes images of all the bad things the web can represent, rather than the positive uses to which it could be put in education. Its a matter of being proactive. I had hoped we would turn to this topic so I could find time to continue viewing the iSafe videos to be better trained, and to find appropriate curricula targeting particular age groups. What I could and would be willing to try with my AP kids vs. my sweathog freshman (ya gotta love 'em) require vastly different approaches with respect to safety.
I totally agree with April...knowledge is power. With the new legislation hopefully there will be more funding to hire tech specialists for each school. As with any subject (and I feel technology should be treated as a required course), lessons need to be taught. To ensure that the proper elements of tech safety are being taught, each district must have a tech curriculum in place and see to it that all grades are mandated to teach that curriculum. The tech specialist would be that "teacher". Is this wishful thinking?? Hopefully, someday, it will be a reality! (at least Dillon Schools!!)
Annie and Cindy - you are echoing that all-familiar challenge -
TIME. As a former teacher and now Internet safety curriculum developer, I feel your pain. Where do we put this very necessary component in the larger curriculum?
I am in total agreement with the consensus here so far in the posts. The way to face it is through integration. And as Kris G says, kids feel invisible and cyber safety safety issues are just as real as crossing a freeway or touching a hot stove. As Phil pointed out, it is also very important to think not only about your students' safety, but also about the liability factors. Unfortunately this issue will continue to grow for educators. I am heartened by the growing number of districts across the nation that are adopting district-wide plans with programs such as i-SAFE and hope that this approach will take some of the burden off individual teachers.
I agree with Mr. T. The earlier we start introcucing the importance of internet safety the better. Sometimes I feel like the uninformed leading the more uninformed! I need to start by getting myself informed and then spreading the word to my co-workers. Our school has just purchased a program to teach students how to used the technology available in our school. The advice that is given in the program concerning safety is check with your local policy. I can see where I can contribute by making sure fellow teachers know what our school policy is concerning internet safety and posting it in the computer lab. I can also share an e-mail or paper copy of the policy.
I often feel as if our children/students are being raised with a second language -- technology. Unfortunately most parents and teachers are a step or two behind.
Safety guidelines need to be part of that education from the beginning. I would agree that, for consistency reasons, a technology specialist would be the best position to facilitate that learning with the classroom teachers reinforcing as the students progress.
Students believe that they are invisible therefore the earlier Internet safety is taught and the more often it is reienforced, the more successful we will be.
I believe all districts are making the effort. But in the day and age when school budgets are shrinking it is difficult to foresee technology safety being adequately addressed without dedicated monies.
I am late posting because I had seen the referenced article in eSchool News's November/December Issue and had wanted to read it before posting. I guess my personal feeling is that there shouldn't have to be a law in place for schools to take this responsibility. I do feel that there should be action at home addressing Internet Safety and Etiquette, however, most of us probably realize that this is not likely to happen in most homes for numerous reasons such as limited time parents spend with kids, parents' lack of knowledge and understanding of the Internet, what their kids are capable of, etc. It almost seems that while schools are educating the students, they should also be educating the parents.
I hear and understand the concerns about time. One more thing we are required to teach, but when? I think the only way I can respond to this is don't make it an extra “thing” to teach. Teach Internet Safety and Etiquette every day and during every opportunity that presents itself. For instance while having my 7th and 8th graders make cards for wounded soldiers at home and soldiers abroad, the question of whether or not they should put their names on the cards came up. I jumped on the opportunity to bring up the video about the young soccer player who had tried to be careful about what she put online. As a class we discussed what they should and shouldn't put as identifiers when they were online or even in a letter. So what started out as simple holiday cards for U.S. soldiers turned into a lesson on Internet Safety.
While reading eSchool News, I discovered that the Deleting Online Predators Act that was introduced in 2006 “would have required schools and libraries to block access to social networking sites and chat rooms.” I had no idea that this legislation was in the works but was relieved to see that it had been opposed. While I am not ready for MySpace and Facebook in the classroom, I feel that there are social networking sites and chat rooms that are beneficial to the school learning environment. I would much rather have law in place that requires me to teach safety rather than a law that limits my ability to enhance education. I appreciate the flexibility!
There has been a pattern of seeing internet safety education as having only to do with technology, leaving the tech teachers to implement this type of education on their own - isolated from holistic curriculum. The latest "tack-on" to the e-rate legislation also implies that this is where it belongs.
Considering the great degree in which technology is integrated into the everyday living of our youth, it is my hope that somehow educators in a variety of disciplines will become more involved - that they will see their roles. For example, integration of Internet safety and digital literacy skills in the K–12 social studies classroom provides a meaningful platform and positive example on which students can build an understanding of the impact of technology on every facet of today’s society. There is no better way to provide youth with the means to connect their online actions and experiences with the realities of social consequence in the physical world. Is there a connect to what is happening in students' specific "technology learning"? Of course! But through true cross-curricular teaching and learning experiences, we have the best chance to make learning meaningful, and have the best chance to impact positive behavioral change. From the comments we have been seeing here, it is obvious that the opportunities and experiences of the PROTECS teachers are on their way to enabling a model from which others may learn.
I read about the legislation and what is expected for the 2008-2009 year. It troubled me that the future beyond 2009 wasn't mentioned. I can only assume that there would be consistency year after year. This brings me to the requirement of schools teaching Internet safety ... I back this one hundred percent as well as parents taking on responsibility as well. Consistent teaching in this area is the key via a technology specialist. If it is left up to individual classroom teachers, the required learning will be hit and miss. Having never had a specialist in our building, I speak from experience. For the legislation and the $5,000,000 to be effective, I think specialists are needed.
The article I read indicated that the Federal Trade Commission would need to spend a lot of time campaigning for the cause and reporting to Congress. My fear is that the money will be eaten up before it ever reaches the intended need. The requirement has been stated, now let's hope Congress backs up their demand.
Barbara - I agree that those are appropriate concerns. As for the FTC's part, from experience I can tell you that they do take their role in promoting internet safety awareness and education very seriously. A couple of years ago (without a legislative mandate) they commissioned i-SAFE to create curriculum and help with web content on the topic. I think they will come through on their part in this in a productive way.
Ms. P, you are so right - we can all be thankful that the 2006 bill never came to fruition. Even the introduction of it was such a prime example of lawmakers going into reactive mode instead of thoroughly researching the topic and all of its implications. There is such a concern that America's youth catch up to the rest of the world - how can we ever even hope to enable that if we are denying them access and education to the latest cutting-edge technologies. The other thing is - in 2006 they were reacting to the social networking capabilities of that time. AS we all know, we haven;t seen anything yet as far as what technology has in store for us next year, or next month or even next week!
I was reading the study on E-School News about parents being clueless about their kids' internet use. I am a little concerned, because we as teachers can teach the safety of internet use and how it will be monitored at school, but how can we educate parents about their "digital disconnect"? Is this something we as educators want to take on; or is it a matter we leave up to the parents? As the study says, most parents don't know their child's on-line habits and the security threats these habits can have. Before parents can talk safety to their children, they have to be informed and knowledgeable about security issues. The Senate Bill article tied in with this study saying schools will be funded so all teachers (or a tech specialist) would be required to teach safe practices with technology, but my question is, should parents be required to take some sort of responsibility in this tech education as well? Would this be something a district policy could require? Would the legislation fund this type of "parent" education? I realize not all parents will not be an active participant (we know this from our regular ed classes), but as a parent myself, this is a big issue and it is something I wish all parents would be proactive with.
Karen - You are SO right. We have got to get parents more involved. The E-Rate legislation is so broad, it doesn't require a parent component. However, a good cyber safety education plan for any school should include some type of parent component. If you think about it, a good school AUP must include reference to the responsibilities of parents in helping to maintain the policies. Generally school-parent groups have been very interested in devoting some time to the issues, by either sponsoring an Internet safety-type week event at school and/or providing a parent night devoted to the issues. i-SAFE provides parent "training" materials to help with these types of programs.
Hmmmmm...so much food for thought. This is good for me. I know I error on the side of being naive. It's because of where I come from. An example... my dad once etched in paint his credit card number in a phone box along side a gravel road outside a substation 15 miles from the main ranch. He didn't want to be without it when ordering parts. A couple of years ago I took a test to determine my vulnerablity for identify theft, and was off the scale. That was another awakening for me. Times....they are a changin' and I realize the importance of teaching internet safety. I see it as a kind of a "thinking out loud" experience where it's incorporated in any kind of technology integration. Use those teachable moments to impress upon our students, the point of being cyber safe.
The more I am learning on my technology curve, the more overwhelmed I feel. I have added educational responsibilities with the technology standards and benchmarks [that were much needed in our modern society]. Watching the cyber-safety video and following the internet bullying crimes, have opened up yet another area of liability that I may have held against me. I am left to ask, do I have the qualifications to include technology into my classroom workings? This is where I support the comment that Annie and Cindy brought up: having a tech specialist training the students, staff, and parents would be an ideal situation. I agree with April, that knowledge is power. I am hoping that as I become more learned in the internet and web 2.0 tools, I will feel more confident and empowered.
Teacher's need to show student why internet safety is so important as well as explaining to them how to be safe. The time it takes to show and teach kids internet safety is worth it in order to protect our kids. Students don't see all the dangers lurking on the web.
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