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Navigating the Internet: A Guide for Middle Schoolers and Their Parents

Join media specialists Julie Darling and Monique Uzelac as they present essential strategies for guiding your middle schooler through the complexities of the internet. This overview covers key topics such as defining modern internet tools, understanding age-relevant online behaviors, identifying secure online practices, and utilizing filtering software. Learn how to engage in open discussions about online safety, encourage critical thinking while browsing, and establish healthy digital habits. Equip yourself and your child with the knowledge to navigate the online world safely.

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Navigating the Internet: A Guide for Middle Schoolers and Their Parents

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Presentation Transcript

  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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