Using the Internet & Social Media Safely

Using the Internet & Social Media Safely Leslie Cash Shelby County Technology Resource Teacher

The Internet and social media are part of our lives.

Chatting with your child

Internet Use • The Internet is EVERYWHERE • Life in the 21st Century requires it’s use

Internet Use • Like any tool, you need to know how to use it safely

Instructional Tips • Start Early • Bring up the subject often • Repeat the instructions often • Be Patient • Small doses are better

Accessibility • Easy and EVERYWHERE • Computers • Laptops • Cell phones • Tablets • Game Consoles

Supervise • Keep the computer in a common area • Check sites out yourself first • Ask to see what they are doing • Check the history • Use a filter

Instruct • Tell them what to do if they find something inappropriate • Require parental permission before typing name, address, or phone number

Instruct • Explain that just because it’s on the Internet does NOT mean it’s true • Help them look to see if a site is trustworthy

Different Ages Require Different Skills • Make it age appropriate but reiterate the basics • Know what they can handle • Webcams • Phones • Social Sites • Email or Instant messaging • Check the Terms of Use

Universal Tips • Reputation • Nothing disappears • Anything you share can be shared again • Personal and Professional separate • Don’t impersonate someone else • Limit friends to people they actually know

Cyberbullying • Don’t respond • Contact site to have information removed • Block the bully • Recognize the signs of a cyberbully • Encourage your child to support victim • Don’t engage in bullying • Don’t forward anything • Do tell bully to stop

Something to think about

Where to learn more • OnGuardOnline.gov • Shelby County Webpage • Technology Link > Learn How! > Online Safety OR • Technology Link > Parents and Students > Online Safety • Internet Archive http://archive.org/index.php

Using the Internet & Social Media Safely