Teaching students about online safety

Overview

Learning through the internet is a boon to present day generation. Students can acquire a lot of extra knowledge besides their textbooks by browsing through the internet. They can learn about several things, play games, do shopping, and also chat with their friends. In spite of the internet being user friendly normally, there are identity thieves and others who may try to harm students in several manners. It is hence, very essential for them to gain knowledge about online safety.

Overconfident students

Students feeling overconfident are not a good sign, especially regarding online safety. Though their impression of being safe online might be clear, yet they are the ones who stand at more risk. Several students may not consider deeply about the results of their actions while browsing the internet. Unknowingly they may tend to share a lot of personal information that may not be essential. Cyber bullies or thieves may grab this opportunity to target such students as they are not clearly and constantly aware of online safety.

Parents’ contribution

Parents also have their share of responsibility regarding online safety. They can assist their children as well as their students about the correct method of using the internet. Dangers concerning online usage should be taught to them. These can be achieved only if parents have an in depth knowledge about the internet to arrive at proper decisions.

Dangers confronted online

It is imperative that parents or guardians should be aware of the various types of dangers existing online and students should be informed about them. Online safety is vital since students may come across unsuitable content like obscene language or pornography. One of the other dangers faced by students while using the internet is about cyber harassment or cyber bullying. Though every student may not confront such a situation, yet it is always safe to make smart and good decisions while working online.

Online safety measures

There are a few safety measures that can be adopted to avoid students become vulnerable to cyber bullies. The computer can be placed in a common area where the internet is browsed by students and children. Elders can monitor their conversation with strangers or visiting unwanted websites. Installing antivirus software like Kaspersky, Norton or BitDefender protects the computer from downloading unnecessary materials. There are certain student friendly search engines such as KidRex, Kid Topia and Kids Click that are designed to provide good and knowledgeable information. Operating systems like Mac OS X and Windows have parental control features. They help the students as they contain website restrictions, time limits and control in opening applications. Installing Net Nanny Software can assist elders in executing online safety.

Safe methods of using online

While browsing on the internet, students should be taught to safe guard their personal information like addresses, credit cards and phone numbers. If they fall into wrong hands, they may cause harm to them. They should utilize social networking sites very carefully for their own online safety. Though websites such as Facebook allow students to share videos, photos and converse with friends or strangers, yet sometimes these may be used by cyber criminals. Hence, students should be taught to post anything that can be commonly viewed by anyone, comfortably. They should feel free to discuss with elders or parents when they face any problem regarding online safety.

Conclusion

As online safety is extremely important, students should be taught about the security tools that are available to safeguard their personal information and the computer from spam, viruses and spyware. They should also know that it is their right not to respond or delete a post if they are uncomfortable with someone online.