Internet Safety

Reflection Question: In about 1 page describe your opinions about internet safety, what changes, if any, you will make about how to use the internet.  How does this apply to teens or the students you would teach?  Also, tell about the internet safety lesson you gave – who you taught, highlights, etc.  


Growing up my parents always tried to be cautious of mine and other people's internet activity while in their home. They made sure that the computer was in a high traffic area where it could be viewed by a passer by at any moment. They also made sure the computer was turned off when everyone was supposed to go to bed and the rule was that it stayed off. They did these things to help prevent the infiltration of the filth known as pornography. They were smart, it worked.  They also didn't want me to release to much information over the internet with myspace or facebook. I have to say though I was more computer and internet savvy they they. So until they watched those news programs about how online predators search for information they would not have had any idea that those potential dangers existed. 


Learning about internet safety and the videos I watched didn't really change my view about internet safety. I have always tried to limit the amount of information I share on the internet and who I share it with. I don't even like having a bunch of pictures on my facebook that's how cautious I am about the information that I leave on my page. I make sure that my security settings are set in such a way that only people I approve can view my personal information and pictures.


Knowing how to protect myself on the internet is important because if I know how to be safe then I can also help my students and other youth. As we use technology my classes I think it would be very appropriate at the beginning of each class to have a short lesson about internet and computer safety. Sometimes that short lesson might be the only chance those kids have to hear that information. 


I was explaining to my friends some of the topics we discussed in class about internet safety and they mostly looked at me with blank stares. They all agreed with me and they said that they were currently trying to be safe on the internet. It occurred to me that college students probably know pretty well about internet safety but younger students, my potential students, may not. So there are a lot of things I can do to help them.