KEEPING YOUR CHILD SAFE ONLINERaising Good Digital Citizens

Goals for the Presentation• To understand how your children are using personal

technology• To understand your role in teaching kids to be mindful,

careful, and considerate digital citizens• To start an ongoing conversation about Internet safety with

friends, family, neighbors, and teachers

Welcome• Children start using technology at an early

age• Knowing how to use the Internet responsibly

is a critical skill• Digital technology is an important social tool

for kids, particularly teens• The overarching goal is to make sure they

are good digital citizens• Technology use and safety need to be an

ongoing conversation with parents, kids, teachers, friends, etc.

Parents’ Role Changes

• Your role with your kids’ technology use and online lives changes over time

• For younger children using a shared device, parents act as guardians, monitoring online activity and making sure kids’ choices are age-appropriate

• For older children, parents act more as advisers, reminding them of the consequences of their choices and directing them toward positive ones

What Does It Mean To Be a Good Digital Citizen?

In short, it means being mindful, careful, and considerate when using technology and spending time online.

Technology at Home• Do schoolwork• Use apps• Visit virtual worlds• Play multiuser games• Use social media: post profiles

and interact on social media sites

• Text with friends

Technology at School• Access homework

assignments and study materials

• Communicate with teachers and classmates

• Watch educational videos and visit educational websites

• Conduct research

Facts and Stats• 95% of 12- to 17-year-olds are

online*• 81% of online teens use a social

network*• 75% have a phone*• 31% of 8- to 10-year-olds have a

phone**

Source: *Pew Research Internet Project **Kaiser Family Foundation

What Do They Do on Mobile Devices?With smartphones, tablets, and iTouch and similar devices, it’s easier than ever for young kids to be plugged in whenever they want to be. Here’s what they’re doing:

• 63% play games• 50% use apps• 47% watch videos• 38% watch TV/movies• 30% read books Source: Common Sense Media

Social Media/Networking• 81% of teens who are online use social networks.• Their sites of choice include Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Vine,

Instagram, and Snapchat.• They use the sites primarily to connect with friends and follow

their updates, and to post their own updates, photos, and videos.

Potential Risks of Social Media• Can be a big “time suck” and

distraction from homework and other responsibilities

• Can foster tweens/teens’ natural impulsivity and failure to consider consequences

• Can encourage predators and scammers

• Can lead to an unflattering digital footprint that can follow kids through college

Kids and Mobile Phones

• Nearly 80% of teens have a mobile phone*; many younger children do, as well.

• Mobile phones can offer parents and kids a measure of comfort when they are away from home.

• There’s no “magic” time for a child to have a phone. Factors to consider include his age, what he wants to use it for, and the expense.

Source: Pew Research Internet Project

Tips for Mobile Monitoring• Put a password on the phone• Install Internet filter and parental

control apps if needed• Set phone limits• Make sure phones are charged

outside of kids’ bedroom at night• Set up nighttime shut-off through

cell provider

Cyberbullying

• Using online technology to repeatedly act cruelly to someone• Posting or forwarding a private text or embarrassing image

to others• Tricking someone into revealing embarrassing information

and forwarding it• Spreading rumors

Dealing With CyberbullyingAlong with monitoring your child’s social media, tell him to:

•Resist responding to unkind remarks•Block the cyberbully•Tell a trusted adult•Save the posts and notify law enforcement or the school, if appropriate•Consider deactivating his account if it continues to affect him negatively

Other Safety Tips• Be familiar with the sites your child

visits and the games he plays.• Know his online “friends.”• Know his passwords.• Keep an ongoing dialogue about the

ways he’s using digital technology and its effects.

• Keep your security software up to date.• Post information about and photos of

your kids wisely.

Protect Against Predators and Scams• Don’t click on unfamiliar links.• Don’t open or reply to emails from

unknown senders.• Avoid videos that require you to

download video player software.• Don’t enter online contests or

giveaways.

Take Your Job as an Online Role Model SeriouslyKids take their social cues from adults. This includes online behavior.

A Digital Code of Conduct• Protect your personal information.• Treat others online as you would treat them in person.• Stand up for others—don’t tolerate cyberbullying.• Avoid plagiarism and copyright infringement.• Create secure passwords and keep them secret from your

friends.• Delete (and don’t open) suspicious emails.• Ignore contact from strangers online.• Tell your parents if something you read online makes you

uncomfortable.• Check with your parent or other trusted adult before

downloading any content.

Helping Kids Manage Their Digital Footprint

1. Everything I do reflects on me.2. Anything I post is there forever. 3. Information I post can easily be copied.4. Things I post can quickly be sent to many.5. You’re never sure who can see what you’re posting, clicking on,

downloading.6. It’s not clear if you’re just sharing with a few.7. People behave differently when they can’t see you.

Source: 1. Trend Micro2-6. danah boyd, Taken Out of Context, 20087. ConnectSafely.org

KEY TAKEAWAYSRemember, the Internet Can Be a Wonderful Experience for Kids

• The Internet and digital technology enable kids to learn and communicate in a variety of helpful and interesting ways.

• Parents can help make digital technology a positive experience for kids by helping their child find positive ways to use technology and be online.

KEY TAKEAWAYSPositive Ways To Be Online• Schoolwork (research, social educational

sites, homework assignments)• Emailing friends and family• Blogging• Sharing photos with friends and family• Creating and sharing videos

KEY TAKEAWAYS Your Part in Their Experience• Decide the basics• Set the rules• Teach them to be good digital citizens• Model good digital/online behavior• Let them try

SourcesConnectSafelywww.connectsafely.org/guides-2A growing collection of short, clearly written, free dowloadable guidebooks that demystify apps, services, and platforms popular with kids and teens, including Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. AllSafeSiteswww.allsafesites.comA child-safe Internet search engine. Common Sense Mediawww.commonsensemedia.orgProvides reviews and ratings for websites and other media for children according to age-appropriateness. Trend Microwww.trendmicro.com/internetsafetyLots of information on Internet safety for families from Trend Micro, the sponsor of this Internet Safety Night presentation.

Questions/Comments

Contact Information

Parent Involvement LiaisonParent Involvement Liaison

Lateasha.White@henry.k12.ga.us