Internet Safety Education

Created by:

Amanda Trewartha

Karen Dannenhauer

Kelly Ferdinand

Susan Nottoli

University of Illinois

EPSY 415

Nick Burbules, Professor

The Internet offers children and youth tremendous opportunities to explore new ideas, visit foreign lands, meet other children, and participate in challenging games. But like the real world, aspects of the virtual world can be harmful to children.  On line safety is the security of people and their information when using the internet. Numerous groups have expressed concerns over the safety of children using the internet.  The Internet is used by schools, universities, libraries, businesses and more.  When students use the Internet the educational advantages are endless. 

Parents, teachers and other guardians cannot always be on hand to prevent children and youth from visiting web sites with harmful or objectionable content. Nor can they always be available to discuss with children what they are encountering in the on line world.  It is the goal of Internet Safety Education to enable students to think critically about the Internet as a communication and collaboration tool and consider how their futures will be affected by rapidly changing digital technologies.

Internet Safety Themes will focus on the following 4 areas

Click below to learn more about the Internet Safety themes

Personal Safety (personal information on the Internet & identity theft, safety and security on line)

Cyber Citizenship, Netiquette, and Bullying (cyber citizenship, AUP, On line relationships, illegal and deceptive actions and communications on the Internet, fraud)

Predator Information (filling in Forms, Protecting Privacy)

Intellectual Property (copyright laws on all media, writing, photos, music, videos)

Click here to view the Illinois Internet Safety Act

Click here to view the COPPA- Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.

Click here to view How to Comply with the COPPA Act.

Beyond the classroom parents play a vital role in internet Safety Education.  This wiki page gives more detailed information and resources for parents of children of all ages.   

Parent Wiki Page

Click to access grade level wiki pages for more age specific information and activities.

The overall theme of Internet Safety Education is to become a safe and responsible digital citizen.  Click below to view a video about how you can learn more.

References:

Cybersafety Curriculum overview.  Accessed June 2010.