This blog is the result of a series of events over the past several months. This is not a new topic but one that we just seem to get students, parents, and community members to really get involved in. I am the first person to stand and shout my approval for technology, internet access, Web 2.0 tools, and so much more. These technologies can open up a whole new world of learning for our students. We have access to so many free materials that will allow us to differentiate learning, take students to deeper levels of learning, and exposing our students to information, people, and cultures that were not available just a few years ago. However, these technologies also open our children up to many dangers.
We have a choice. That choice is to either attempt to block significant amounts of content or to teach our children how to use these tools safely and respectfully. We obviously don't want to our children exposed to pornography, violence, cyber bullying, or sexual predators. Schools across the country are using different filters and programs in an attempt to protect our students. Parents often set controls on their systems at home. Our children still stumble onto inappropriate sites. Sexual predators still find ways to communicate with our most vulnerable students.
Recently an individual stated that the issue was not a legal one but a parenting one. I must admit that I take serious exception to this. It is easy to blame a parent that is doing the best they can. It is my opinion that 99.9% of our parents truly are doing the best with what they have and what they know. These parents actually want the best for their children and are doing their best to help their children. A case in point was the parent of a 6th grade student I had several years ago. The student was struggling and the mom (4th grade education) came in crying and asking for help. She was doing all she could with her own resources and abilities. She simply didn't have the ability to help this young man at home.
Digital Citizenship/Safety is all our responsibility. We must all be vigilant in our efforts to protect our children. This starts with education. In some cases we may have to educate parents and in all cases we must educate our students. It is not simply a matter of putting the right filter in place. Our children have access to so much that schools and parents simply have no control over. There are many free resources available to share with students, teachers, parents, and community members.
Here are some simple suggestions and resources.
Parents, if your child has a Facebook, Twitter, or other social networking account, you should have one too. Make sure you have access to their account so you monitor what they are putting out and who they are communicating with. You should have access to email accounts. Don't get me wrong. My own children have their Facebook accounts and are friends with me. That doesn't mean that I scan their every posts. I can check randomly or when I may have cause for concern.
Educate our children as to what they are putting out there. Just because you have a privacy setting that limits your posts to friends doesn't prohibit a friend from sharing your posts with others. Once a picture or text is sent into the digital realm there is no retrieving it. Prospective employers actually scan these social networking sites when considering an individual for a job.
There are many free resources available for parents, students, and schools to help educate our children. Common Sense Media is just one of these. Let's educate each other and work together to protect our children and still expand their educational experience beyond the four wall of the classroom!
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