Educational Insights
…developing
individuals to meet the challenges of a diverse society.
Our mission statement at Garden
County Schools addresses preparing our students for 21st century
learning. This results in increased technology integration into the school
curriculum and suggests more time online than ever before. This week’s article
addresses the world of opportunities available on the internet and suggestions
for parents on how to help keep their children safe. (Information is taken from
“Net Cetera-Chatting with Kids About Being Online”, available at www.onguardonline.gov. More parental
advice for children at different ages is available at this website, also.)
The internet provides a wide variety
of ways to socialize, communicate, and learn that can be fulfilling,
informational, and entertaining. However they come with certain risks:
Inappropriate
conduct. The online world can feel anonymous. Kids sometimes forget they
are still accountable for their actions.
Inappropriate contact. Some people online have bad
intentions, including bullies, predators, hackers, and scammers.
Inappropriate content. You may be concerned that your
kids could find pornography, violence, or hate speech online.
Parents can reduce these risks by
talking to their kids about how they communicate
-online
and off- and encouraging them to engage in conduct they can be proud of.
Consider the following:
Start
early-as soon as your child uses any mobile device, it’s time to talk to them
about safety and appropriate behaviors.
Create
an honest, open environment-be supportive and positive; kids look to their
parents to help guide them.
Initiate
conversations-use everyday opportunities to talk to your kids about being
online.
Communication
your values-communicating your values clearly can help your kids make
smarter and more thoughtful decisions when they face tricky situations.
Be patient-resist the urge to rush
through conversations with your kids. Most kids need to hear information
repeated, in small doses, for it to sink in.
The
best way to protect your kids online is to talk to them! Research
suggests that when children want important information, most rely on their
parents. If you keep talking with your kids, your patience and persistence will
pay off in the long run. Work hard to keep the lines of communication open,
even if you learn your child has done something online you find inappropriate.
Being aware of where your child is
on the internet, who they are communicating with, and providing guidelines is
an excellent place to start in terms of preparing them for a safe and
successful future!
-Dr. Paula Sissel,
Superintendent/Elementary
Principal