Over the last few years the media has seemed to focus on the potential dangers of the Internet rather than the potential it holds as an educational tool that can enhance classroom learning.  Because of this skewed reporting many parents, administrators, teachers, and community leaders are overly concerned about bringing the Internet into their schools.  It is therefore very important that any educator who uses the technology also have an in-depth understanding of the potential dangers that the Internet poses and what can be done to protect students from these dangers.  Armed with this information, teachers can both protect their students as well as educate the public to the benefits of the technology.

For an in-depth overview of the issues involved in Internet Safety please review the following PowerPoint slide show online:

Consider these questions as you review your project.

• Does your school have an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) in place?

• What actions regarding Internet safety will you take with the project you have selected?

Online Resources

• Stevens Internet Safety Web Page - This site contains a policy statement from Stevens on the issue and then a long list of links to resources on AUPs, software and parental information.

• Template for Creating Acceptable Use Policies (AUP) - Good example to start with if you are in need of creating an AUP.

• AUP Handbook - Great overview of AUPs with samples and templates.

Stevens Developed Content

• Comments on Potential Internet Dangers

  • Issues are the same, only the medium has changed - The problems of adult content, inappropriate use of school equipment, and vandalism have been issues in K-12 schools for years.  The Internet is just a new medium but the issues are the same.

  • Why does the Internet have inappropriate content? - Answer: The U.S. Constitution.

  • Email is Just Like a Phone - Email is a global communication device just like the phone.  Would you give a phone to every student in your school?

  • Real Contact is The Biggest Danger - Student must never have real contact with those they meet online.

  • Home is Where the Danger Lies - Students often get in trouble on the Internet when they are at home in unsupervised settings.
    
    

• Comments on Protecting Students Online

  • Acceptable Use Policies (AUP) are Vital - Comments on the importance of AUPs.

  • A Parent Technology Night Works Wonders - Consider having such an event if your parents have lots of questions and concerns about using the technology.

Articles on Internet Safety

• Filtering is Bad for Education - Written for Technology and Learning in 1998, this article discusses some of the disadvantages of using Internet filtering software.  Not all of the author's comments are on target but most are valid.

• ACLU Opposes Internet Censorship in NY Schools - Recent court cases and legal battles are complicating the issue.  Read the letter that prompted this legal fight.

• States Tackle Internet-Filter Rules for Schools - State and federal governments are now getting involved and may regulate solutions in schools.

• Filtering Programs Useful but Far From Perfect - Good article written by a parent which discusses the need for filtering software at home.

• The Cyberpilot's License: A Modest Proposal for Educational Curricula - Article discusses the idea of providing students with a "cyberpilot's" license.

• Protecting Your Family's Privacy - Good overview of privacy issues.

Child Safe Search Engines
Note: No site is 100% safe and therefore you must also consider using Acceptable Use Policies (AUP).

• Yahooligans - Yahoo's counterpart of kids.

• Ask Jeeves for Kids - Natural language search engine for kids.

• Education World - Lots of educational content for kids.

• Additional Kid Friendly Search Engines - A long list of additional resources.