Mandating Internet Safety Instruction

From the Washington Post - "Law Tells Schools to Teach Students About Online Safety." April 2, 2006.

The law, which takes effect July 1, is designed to ensure that tech-savvy children understand the dangers lurking in cyberspace. The measure's sponsor, Del. William H. Fralin Jr. (R-Roanoke), said he wrote the bill after his oldest son turned 10 and started competing with his parents for computer time.
"It raised a question in my mind," he said. "We teach our kids not to talk to strangers. We teach our kids not to take candy. But in today's world on the Internet, not only can you be talking to strangers without supervision, but you can be talking to someone you think is not a stranger, but who is one. There needs to be some sort of basic training on that."

I've been advocating for mandated Internet safety and ethics training for a very long time, so it is gratifying to see the action abovc - even if it isn't being taken in Minnesota.

My basic line of reasoning has always run thus: When a technology's use becomes potentially life-threatening, it's safe use needs to be mandated. In learning to scuba dive, use a firearm, or even drive, a higher percentage of training involves safe use as skill training itself. Does Internet use pose the same threat as other "dangerous" technologies?

 I'm hoping that Virginia's Internet safety training does not restrict itself to just online "stranger danger." It is, of course, the concern which has received the most hype and ought to be recognized, but other areas of genuine danger also need to be addressed. Failing to critically evaluate online medical information is potentially life-threatening. Finding and using pro-anorexia sites endangers the health of those who suffer from the disorder. Virtual bullying and harassment can cause emotional harm to children. One's financial health is certainly put at risk if one doesn't understand spamming, phishing, and other cons which have nicely ported from the physical to the virtual world.

Go, Virginia. I'm hoping you will be a model for other states, including Minnesota. What would you include in your Internet safety curriculum?

Comments

[dadministrator]

It's about time...the biggest issue will be how to cram additional content into the public school's curriculum, as well as making sure the continuing education programs teachers subscribe to impart cybersafety education and literacy across all subject areas with online activities or components. Lots of help out there for the schools and parents; we'll try to bring it to bear in coordination with the implementation of this legislation.

Dadministrator
www.dadministrator.blogspot.com
www.whizkidsllc.com

[Brian Crosby]

If students were using technology in classrooms consistently, I believe this would happen just as part of having students utilize technology as a tool to get at their learning. I don't think it would really have to be as much an "add-on" to the curriculum as one might think. When I have students use the internet the ethics of its appropriate use come up whether you want it to or not - you get some great discussionsa and most students really get it. What bothers me is that "At Risk" students that have little access at home or school then get less exposure to this kind of ethical training along with less experience using technology period. : (

[Vicki Davis]

Teachers who love their children will teach them about Internet safety issues. Just as we have put basic self defense in PE classes, "online self defense" should be a part of what we teach in school at a very young age.

There are some good lessons on edhelper and other places for folks to use.

I think, also, that parents can benefit from such training.

[Barb Wagers]

Besides all the obvious lessons about Internet Safety, we must teach kids about information literacy. Don't believe everything you read on the internet, check your sources, use additional sources to check facts, what sources do you trust, why trust them, those are the life-long skills we need to teach our kids.

[Barb Wagers]

Doug and fellow Bloggers, I have seen that picture of the "kid's penpal" before. I would like to use it in a presentation but would certainly want to site my source. Where did you get it? Who is the owner?
Anyone know? Thanks.

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Barb,

I hope you read this. Had you left an email address, I would have applied directly.

The image was scanned from a promotional brochure for a product called Mail*Gear from about 1998. I tried, but couldn't obtain permission to use the image here (no response from the company), I am afraid, but will remove it if asked to do so. (The Google scan the book policy, I believe, when permission or ownership can't be determined.)

All the best,

Doug

[doug]

u never talk to stranger

[Barb Wagers]

Doug, Thanks for the image info. Guess I'll find my own to use just to be safe. And you are right, never talk to strangers. signed your friend. barb

[doug]

ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww get rid of it eww

[edwardobyers]

Thanks a lot for discussing this matter. I concur with your conclusions.The point that the data stated are all first hand on actual experiences even help more.

[Ethan Finlay]

Its makes it hard for us pedophiles, that's for sure.. I don't like these cyber safety measures.