Michael J. Berson, Ph.D. University of South Florida berson@tempest.coeduf

1. Weaving a Net of Safety Online: Training Issues for Preservice Teachershttp://www.coedu.usf.edu/internetsafety Michael J. Berson, Ph.D. University of South Florida berson@tempest.coedu.usf.edu Ilene R. Berson, Ph.D. University of South Florida berson@mirage.fmhi.usf.edu

2. How do children use computers and the Internet? • Current use of technology in the schools • Drill and Practice and Tutorials • Games and Simulations • Inquiry and Problem Solving • Graphics • Word Processing and Writing • Internet & World Wide Web • Databases • Telecommunications

3. Effectiveness • What is beneficial, effective, informative about the current use of technology in social studies education? • What educational theory is guiding the selection and application of technology in the classroom?

4. Barriers to Effective Implementation and Integration • Equity of access and availability of technology • Necessity of reconceptualizing pedagogic practice in the social studies • Marginalization of computers as an instructional tool • Necessity of training • The ever evolving tools of technology

5. The Social and Cultural Challenges of Internet Technology • Global access without a global understanding • Recognition of cyber culture and the evolution of cyber-cultural competence • Processing Skills for Online Interaction

6. Educators need to be involved • The Internet presents new teaching challenges • Educators’ involvement is essential to ensure children have a safe, rewarding and educational online experience • Teachers help children assess the value and importance of information they find

7. A shared responsibility • Ensuring a positive and safe online experience is a shared responsibility • Parents, teachers, librarians and others need to make sure children have access to and are guided safely through the Internet

8. What does the Internet offer children? • Communication via e-mail and chat rooms • The world's resources are available to supplement their learning • Access to other cultures • New analytical and information processing skills to build lifelong learning skills

9. Ensuring a Safe, Educational and Rewarding Trip

10. Is the Internet safe? • Like the road, the Internet has some risks, but there are ways to protect children online • When children are small, you teach them to hold your hand when crossing the street. But as they grow, you slowly give them more freedom until they end up driving by themselves • Like all endeavors children will undertake, common sense says you should be aware and stay involved

11. What are the risks on the Internet? • The relative degree of online anonymity coupled with the lack of system-imposed restraints creates risk for young people who may be naïve regarding the intentions of others. Since children and youth typically are trusting and curious about online relationships, they are vulnerable to crime and exploitation.

12. Common Risks to Children Online • Controversial Information • Fraud and Privacy Invasion in Cyberspace • SPAM • Sexual Predators • Bullying and Harassment • Internet Addiction

13. Examples of Online Risks • Getting e-mail advertising adult sites • Making inappropriate friendships and sometimes dangerous contact with strangers in chat rooms • Downloading viruses • Giving out personal information

14. The Internet is a Public Place • It allows children to communicate with friends they know and people they don't • Educators need to make sure their students’ privacy is protected and teach them why privacy is important • One way to protect privacy is to not give out personal information like phone numbers, addresses or credit card numbers, especially in chat rooms and newsgroups • Educators should check websites their students visit for privacy policies

15. Setting Guidelines for Safe, Legal, and Efficient Online Use • Acceptable Use Policies • Online manners (Netiquette) for students • Respect for the privacy of others • Plagiarism

16. Establishing Rules to Maintain Boundaries/Barriers • Teach students to never give out their name, school, address, phone number, picture or other personal information to people they meet online, especially in public places like chat rooms and bulletin boards. • Instruct students to never plan face-to-face meetings alone with online acquaintances • Tell students not to respond and to let you know if they receive offensive or dangerous e-mail, chat or other communications

17. Supervision • Take the trip together. Take the time to see what your students are doing online and what their interests are

18. Tips for Students Online • I won't give out my name, age, school, address, phone number, picture or any other information about myself or my family without getting permission • If I see or get something online that looks weird or bad or makes me feel uncomfortable, I won't respond, I'll leave that area right away and tell my teacher and/or parents

19. Tips for Students Online cont'd • I won't get together with anyone I meet online without getting my parent's permission first. • I won't open or accept e-mails, files, links, URLs or other things online from people I don’t really know or trust • I won't give out my password to anyone but my parents, not even to my best friend

20. Empowering Students Through Awareness and Support • Elementary Level • Privacy Playground: The First Adventures of the Three Little CyberPigs (http://www.screen.com/mnet/eng/cpigs/cpigs.htm) • Middle Level • Ballad of an Email Terrorist (http://www.gsn.org/teach/articles/email.ballad.html) • High School Level • Web of Deception (http://tap.epn.org/cme/cmwdecov.html)

21. A Few Recommended Safety Web Sites • America Links Up http://www.americalinksup.org • Child Abuse Prevention Network http://child.cornell.edu • CyberAngels Internet Safety Organization http://www.cyberangels.org/ • Federal Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov/privacy • National Center for Missing and Exploited Children http://www.missingkids.com/cybertip • National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information http://www.calib.com/nccanch/ • Safe Kids On-line http://www.safekids.com/