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The Internet and Your Middle Schooler

The Internet and Your Middle Schooler Presented by Julie Darling & Monique Uzelac Media Specialists Overview What is this stuff? (Definitions and terms). Age relevant Internet behaviors. Some tools that could be helpful. Favorite sites. What I would do if I were you. Questions?

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The Internet and Your Middle Schooler

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  1. The Internet and Your Middle Schooler Presented by Julie Darling & Monique Uzelac Media Specialists

  2. Overview • What is this stuff? (Definitions and terms). • Age relevant Internet behaviors. • Some tools that could be helpful. • Favorite sites. • What I would do if I were you. • Questions?

  3. What Is This Stuff? • IM (Instant Messaging) • VOIP • Social Networks • Blogs • Chat Rooms • Virtual Worlds

  4. Age Level Related Internet Behaviors: 7-10(Adapted from http://kids.getnetwise.org/safetyguide/age/7-10) • Psychologist Richard Toft: Children begin to want independence at this age. • Should be encouraged to explore the Internet independently within public space in home (kitchen, family room etc.).

  5. Safety “Net” for Ages 7-10 • Consider filtering program, child-safe search engines, child-safe Internet Service Provider (ISP). • Consider limiting time online either through rules or time-limiting software. • More on this in a minute.

  6. Age Level Related Internet Behaviors: 10-12(Adapted from http://kids.getnetwise.org/safetyguide/age/10-12) • A stronger push for independence and therefore stronger influence from peers. • Developing abstract reasoning skills and ability to begin evaluating websites with quality info. vs. junk.

  7. Safety “Net” for Ages 10-12 • Encourage critical evaluation of online sites-is everything on the Internet true? • Set concrete time limits for computer use, other activities are important too.

  8. Age Level Related Internet Behaviors: 12-14(Adapted from http://kids.getnetwise.org/safetyguide/age/12-14) • Big increase in social activity with peers, especially email and Instant Messaging (IMing). • Budding interest in sexuality which may express itself through the exploration of Internet sites.

  9. Safety “Net” for Ages 12-14 • May want to use filtering and monitoring software-will most likely experience resistance to this from child. • Open and honest discussions about safe online behaviors are critical.

  10. What are some of the real dangers? • Instant Messaging with strangers. • Meeting these strangers in person. • Bullying one another digitally (emails, IMing, posting nasty blog entries, etc.). • Accidentally (or purposely) sending out or displaying personal information about selves and/or friends. • Downloading viruses. • Accessing inappropriate sites.

  11. Solution #1: Filtering/Monitoring Software • Restricts incoming information (and some outgoing). • May filter entire websites, individual words, advertisements, emails and chat rooms. • Two ways: URL or keyword. • Will not catch everything no matter what tools you use.

  12. Filtering & Monitoring Software-some features • Time-limiting capabilities. • Filters. • Monitoring, filtering and chat blocking features. • Personal information transmission blocking. • Internet activity reporting features. • Stealth mode. • Internet Filter Reviews

  13. Solution #2: Child Safe ISP (Internet Service Provider) with Parental Controls • AOL • MSN • Comcast

  14. Solution #3: Child Safe Search Engines • Ask For Kids • KidsClick! • Yahooligans • Google Safe Search (turn on optional filters in “Preferences”)

  15. Favorite Sites of Middle Schoolers • Whyville (Virtual World) • My Space (Social Network) • Live Journal (Blog-Weblog-online journal) • Xanga (Another Blog) • Facebook (High school-Social Network)

  16. Helpful Ideas • Monitor screen names on IMing “Buddy List” and ask who each person is. • Confirm “Buddy List” screen names with other parents. • Make a rule that all Instant Messaging programs and social networks will be open ONLY to friends not even to friends of friends. • Do not use programs that do not have this “white list” feature. • Put computer in a family space within the home and make a “walk up” rule. • Learn IM language/slang.

  17. Helpful Ideas Continued • Monitor the history of websites visited by child and create an account on the blogs/social networks that child is using. • Have A LOT of conversations about why posting personal information on the Internet is NEVER a good idea. • Encourage the use of safe search engines. • Put all Internet Accounts in parent(s) names with parent(s) having the primary screenname, control of the passwords and control over blocking/filtering.

  18. Questions??

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