Topic outline
General
Stay safe and enjoy living in a digital world...
This course is designed for students ages 11-15 to learn how to use the Internet safely. It supplies common sense tips for staying safe while using a wide range of network based tools.
Topic 1
Keep Your Digital Footprint Clean
Don't Reveal Too Much
- Once you put something on the Internet, it’s out of your control. Forever.
- Talk with a trusted adult about what information is OK to send online or through text messages.
- Be careful about what you share—it could end up anywhere!
- If you get a text, IM, or e-mail that was meant to be private, think before you forward it. Would you want someone to share your secrets?
- Mad at a friend or want to get back at an enemy? Don’t do it online.
- Kids have been suspended and even arrested for sending or posting rude and threatening messages.
- Remember, it doesn’t take very long for a text message or online content to travel. Something that you regret saying now could be all over your school in a matter of minutes.
- Talk to a trusted adult about any information you receive or see online that makes you scared or uncomfortable.
Topic 2
Topic 3
Social Networking - Facebook, Twitter, and more...
The trend is more and younger. Can social networks be safe? Why are are they so inviting to today's teens?
Many social networking sites require that children be at least 13 years old to join. This is because of the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Facebook and Myspace and NING require users to be 13 or older.
Social Networking Tips
- Think before you post.
- Keep your personal information private.
- Only add friends you know in real life.
- Set your profile and blog to private.
- Use a nickname that doesn’t identify your location, gender, or age.
- Never meet in person with anyone you first met online.
- Contact the site administrator if someone creates a social networking page in your name.
- Alter your pictures and videos before you post them to remove identifying information.
- Profile and photo share only with people on your friends list.
- Don’t post your plans or whereabouts on your site.Think about the possible consequences of the information and photos you post.
- Never post sexually provocative photos.
Topic 4
Predators - People who want to hurt you...
Most of the people in your life would never hurt you. If you use the Internet, you may be at risk though. There are people out there who could hurt you and if you're not safe, they can find you through the Internet.Topic 5
CyberBullying
"Technology does not make bullies. It just makes them more productive."
"Help stop cyberbullying. Researchers say that bullying usually stops pretty quickly when peers
intervene on behalf of the victim. One way to
help stop bullying online is to report it."
-- Net Cetera - Chatting with kids about being online...Topic 6
Cell Phone Issues - Sexting, images, abuse...
“The desire for risk-taking and sexual exploration
during the teenage years combined with a constant
connection via mobile devices creates a ‘perfect storm’
for sexting. Teenagers have always grappled with issues
around sex and relationships, but their coming-of-age
mistakes and transgressions have never been so easily
transmitted and archived for others to see.”
-- Amanda Lenhart, 2009 PEW Study: Teens and TextingClick on Options > Pop Out to view full screen
Topic 9
Parent Resources
Topic 11
This course was modified based on material originally created by Paul Nelson under the Creative Commons license.
