Keeping Our Students Safe in the Digital Age
Keeping Our Students Safe in the Digital Age
We all lead digital lives. Being constantly connected can open our students up to a world of opportunities. But with those opportunities come certain risks — and the possibility for exposure to inappropriate content and potentially dangerous situations.
We’re placing a strong focus on cyber safety this October as we recognize National Cyber Security Awareness Month. But online safety shouldn’t be limited just to October – it’s important all year long.
It’s increasingly important to know how to protect yourself and your family while online. Technology is powerful, and students must learn how to make smart decisions and good choices when using it. But it takes everyone — parents, students, teachers and the community, as a whole — to make sure our students are safe.
You can learn more about your role in this shared responsibility by visiting HISD’s Cyber Safety website: houstonisd.org/cybersafety. Below are a few quick tips for you and your students.
Think Before You Post or Tweet
Although many high school students know the basic ways to stay safe online, they also must commit to being ethical online users. Here are three important things to keep in mind:
· Post what you feel comfortable with the world — which includes parents, teachers, college admission personnel, and potential employers — seeing.
· Never use the Internet to spread gossip, bully, or hurt someone’s reputation.
· Never post an online threat against a person, school, business, or organization. You can be charged with a crime for doing so.
Avoid Making “Online” Friends
· Don’t share personal information with people you view as "friends" online. This includes your name, address, phone number, financial information, and school name, as well as any passwords or other private information.
· Know you are in charge of your own online experience; manage it the same way you would in the real world. If something or someone online makes you feel uncomfortable, don’t respond, delete the post, and most importantly, tell a trusted adult.
· Never meet in person someone you met online.
Tips for Parents
· If possible, keep your student’s computer in a high-traffic area at home so you can monitor the websites they are accessing.
· Establish limits for online sites. Decide what sites your students can access and how long they may access them each day.
· Monitor your children’s cell phones, gaming devices, and laptops.
· Set rules for social networking, instant messaging, emailing, online gaming, and webcams. Monitor these sites to find out who your child might be connecting with online.
· Create a Family Media Agreement. You can see additional details and sample contracts online at HISD’s Cyber Safety website: houstonisd.org/cybersafety.
· Talk continually to your children about online safety.
Visit the Stay Safe Online website at www.staysafeonline.org for additional information.
We all lead digital lives. Being constantly connected can open our students up to a world of opportunities. But with those opportunities come certain risks — and the possibility for exposure to inappropriate content and potentially dangerous situations.
We’re placing a strong focus on cyber safety this October as we recognize National Cyber Security Awareness Month. But online safety shouldn’t be limited just to October – it’s important all year long.
It’s increasingly important to know how to protect yourself and your family while online. Technology is powerful, and students must learn how to make smart decisions and good choices when using it. But it takes everyone — parents, students, teachers and the community, as a whole — to make sure our students are safe.
You can learn more about your role in this shared responsibility by visiting HISD’s Cyber Safety website: houstonisd.org/cybersafety. Below are a few quick tips for you and your students.
Think Before You Post or Tweet
Although many high school students know the basic ways to stay safe online, they also must commit to being ethical online users. Here are three important things to keep in mind:
· Post what you feel comfortable with the world — which includes parents, teachers, college admission personnel, and potential employers — seeing.
· Never use the Internet to spread gossip, bully, or hurt someone’s reputation.
· Never post an online threat against a person, school, business, or organization. You can be charged with a crime for doing so.
Avoid Making “Online” Friends
· Don’t share personal information with people you view as "friends" online. This includes your name, address, phone number, financial information, and school name, as well as any passwords or other private information.
· Know you are in charge of your own online experience; manage it the same way you would in the real world. If something or someone online makes you feel uncomfortable, don’t respond, delete the post, and most importantly, tell a trusted adult.
· Never meet in person someone you met online.
Tips for Parents
· If possible, keep your student’s computer in a high-traffic area at home so you can monitor the websites they are accessing.
· Establish limits for online sites. Decide what sites your students can access and how long they may access them each day.
· Monitor your children’s cell phones, gaming devices, and laptops.
· Set rules for social networking, instant messaging, emailing, online gaming, and webcams. Monitor these sites to find out who your child might be connecting with online.
· Create a Family Media Agreement. You can see additional details and sample contracts online at HISD’s Cyber Safety website: houstonisd.org/cybersafety.
· Talk continually to your children about online safety.
Visit the Stay Safe Online website at www.staysafeonline.org for additional information.