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The Internet is a
wonderful tool which puts the world and all its
information at our fingertips. Much of this
information has been available for a long time
through public library access or other means.
Indeed, many of these sites have been in operation
for a number of years. However, this ease of access
is paving the way for massive growth in
Internet-based crime such as identity theft and
pedophilia. However, most of these sites also
provide an opt-out feature for you to remove or
manage what information is available, though it may
take some clicking around to locate it. The
Clearinghouse has researched a number of them and
provides a
Protecting Your Personal Information: Opt Out
procedures flier. If you are aware of sites not
listed, please contact the
KCSS Resource Center so we may add them to the list.
KCSS strongly recommends that you talk with your
children about Internet safety. Perhaps the best way
to ensure your child is using the Internet safely is
by using it together. It is important that you teach
your child the distinctions between the physical
world and the virtual one. On the Internet, it’s
easy for a 30-year-old to impersonate a child and
become a virtual “friend.” In person, that’s a lot
more difficult. According to America OnLine and
others, there are five things you should teach your
children before they surf or chat on the Web.
- Never give out
any personal information, your name, address,
phone number, age or school -- to strangers
online.
- Don't tell
anyone your password either online or off,
except your parents.
- Never actually
go to see anyone you meet online without one of
your parents.
- Don't email
photos to strangers or accept anything from
strangers online - photos, files, games, Web
links.
- If someone
online says or does something that makes you
feel uncomfortable or unsafe, tell a trusted
adult right away.
In fact, the KCSS
Clearinghouse is the state agency contact for an
evidence-based free Internet safety program in every
Kentucky school. Funded by the Department of Justice
and approved by Congress,
i-SAFE America
provides at no cost to schools a comprehensive
Internet safety and citizenship curriculum for each
grade K-12. A community and parent outreach facet is
also part of its programming. Contact KCSS to learn
about training opportunities. |
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