Hello!!
I loved reading all the articles on Internet Safety. It never occurred to me just how much the internet can impact people.
Questions
What were the most important things I learned from the readings?
- One of the most important things I learned from the readings is just how MUCH the internet is involved in our lives. It is something that would be extremely hard if not impossible to take away completely. There is also an increasing gap between generations and their use on the internet. Teenagers' lives seem to revolve around the computer while their parents are barely keeping up with the fast changing technology. Because of this gap, along with the issue of internet infused lives, trying to protect the youth is even more difficult.
- Another important thing that I learned is thing with the way the internet can be used as a trap. There are pop ups, scams, predators, and more - all of them can be hidden within the folds of the internet. On the flip side however, there are tools that can be used to prevent some of the dangers.
- The ability to share the gospel and reconnect to people is another wonderful thing the internet has brought.
How will what I have read influence my actions as a parent and/or teacher of children and youth?
- The whole time I was reading the articles, both about the positives and negatives of the internet, I kept thinking about my responsibility to use and not abuse it as a source. I can personally be an example by using it for good and NOT for addiction (aka Pinterest...). Another responsibility is to keep up to date on the dangers and provide my computer for my youth but with some safe barriers.
- Another responsibility I would have is to teach the youth about the internet and the dangers it can bring.
How can I use what I have learned from the reading to have a positive influence on family and friends?
- As stated above, it can be used to share the gospel. I really enjoy posting Mormon Messages and other LDS articles on my facebook. It can be used for service, such as feeding a sickly member of the ward - something I have done from my Compassion Service Leader reading their status. I can also inform them about the different things I have learned to keep their internet safe.
Am I aware of the benefits and dangers children face when online with cyber bullying and online predators? Do I know how to prevent cyberbullying?
- I would have to say yes to the first question.
- In the article titled "Understanding Cyber-bullying inside and out," the author makes reference to researcher Danah Boyd. She explained that cyber-bullying comes from teens seeking attention so in order to prevent cyber-bullying, something needs to be done to the teens life. The author agreed with Boyd by stating that " we need to take the focus off the tech and put it on the social and environmental conditions that give rise to social cruelty offline as well as online. To defeat cyber-bullying, we need to create home and school cultures that encourage critical thinking about the right and wrong kinds of attention-, validation-, and status-seeking; teach perspective-taking; and cultivate self-worth, resilience, and a sense of belonging."
Where can I go for information and resources that can be used to teach internet safety?
- Some resources are available through LDS.org as was demonstrated on the IPT website. Other resources can most likely be found at governmental and educational websites - something that can be specified in the google search.
What internet safety issues am I likely to face as a teacher and how will I address them?
- My guess is that while searching for materials on my own, there will be potential scams disguised as safe websites. This can pollute a computer with anything from viruses to pornography.
- Another issue would be the STUDENTS' use of the internet. They could abuse class time with role playing games or other such materials. They can also be affected by scams as stated above.
- To address the safety issue, I can make sure to monitor history and put popup blockers and restrictions on websites.
How can I leverage the power of the Internet so students can learn, but in a safe way?
- The internet is a wonderful tool for people to learn in a fast way. There are SO many resources that we can use as teachers to benefit our student, as this class has demonstrated. It just all depends on how it is handled. Safety is a concern so safety will be used. Just how safety is issued in public areas like a theme park, theater, or canyon can be restricting, so much the internet. These safety rules will not keep the students from the experience of the internet but it will prevent them from going into dangerous areas.
Thanks!!
