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Home Safety Tips NetSmartz
NetSmartz
http://www.netsmartz.org/index.aspx

NetSmartz Outreach Team's monthly check-in - May 2009  

In a study conducted by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), 75% of teachers indicated that they felt unprepared to address cyberbullying with their students. Considering that 1 in 3 teens have experienced online harassment, this presents a concern.

The Internet is not going anywhere, and it is important that educators feel confident addressing online safety issues. Although some schools may not have trained their educators in Internet safety, they still realize they need to introduce the topic. Unfortunately many educators are already overburdened; the amount of information that they are mandated to teach their students in every subject grows everyday. Can we reasonably expect them to now become experts on Internet safety too?

No—but the good news is, they don’t have to. When it comes to Internet safety, educators don’t have to reinvent the wheel; there are many free, easily accessible resources which will help them start the conversation about being safer online with their students. And their students are curious about the issue. All of the feedback that I have received so far indicates that students are concerned about their online images and want to learn the skills needed to protect their online reputations.

According to the NCSA study only 39% of the school, county, or district technology coordinators use an external Internet safety program. Perhaps educators don’t have access to the Internet resources available; but, if you are reading this blog you do. It’s time to step up; let your school district know about NetSmartz and be part of the team of everyday heroes–educators, parents, guardians, and mentors–that are empowering children on-and offline.