002+Cybersafety

Alex Rowles Nicole Vena Ashleigh Pekar Frostburg State University

On //Common Sense Media//, there are tips that children can take when using the computer and ways to be safe while doing so. A few of the tips are, “Never give your personal information out to anyone” and “Never meet up with someone who you don’t know.” These are just two of the many tips of the website ("Common Sense Media", 2011). This website also contains ways that children, parents, and even teachers can make the technology compartment fun and safe. On the website there is also a section where parents can go to and see what their child should be doing computer-wise. “Age 2-6: Don’t allow much computer action and Age 7-9: Emailing and educational games just not too much” ("Common Sense Media", 2011). There are all kinds of tips and guides to making a child’s life safe but still technology friendly. Parents and teachers can interact the best with children when it comes to technology and the safety it entails.

Cyber safety is a lesson that should be taught in every classroom worldwide. Today's society relies more and more on technology each and everyday. In today's classrooms students are being taught what computers are, how to use computers, and mostly how to go online. As a result of the high use in technology in classrooms, many school districts are now requiring that lessons be taught safety rules and regulations of online web surfing. In the U.S., some states have adopted laws requiring schools to teach children about online safety. The state of Virginia is one state which practices the law of teaching cyber safety to their students. They are required to learn the proper way to utilize a computer as well as how to stay safe while surfing the web ("Cyber safety in the classroom", 2010). Some school districts have even created "Internet Safety Nights" to inform the community and parents of students about internet usage and the dangers. Many school districts today are stepping up to ensure the online safety of their students. Educators everywhere should inform their students about the dangers of the internet and also inform them on how to stay safe while going online ("Cyber safety in the classroom", 2010).School districts are not the only ones getting in the action of protecting children online. The United States government has enforced laws protecting children while they web surf and require many school districts and libraries to follow the law. Congress created a law called CIPA.CIPA stands for "The Children's Internet Protection Act." If schools are part of a particular technology funding called the E-rate program, they are required to follow CIPA.

The E-rate program is a type of funding that is very affordable and most schools and libraries cannot afford to lose it. The Children's Internet Protection Act was enforced to ensure that schools and libraries block access to harmful and inappropriate material to children using the online web. The schools and libraries are required to monitor minors on the computer and restrict the access of any inappropriate or harmful material to children. These and many more other safety policies have to be followed in order for the schools and/or libraries to continue to receive funding from the low cost E-rate program (Federal Communications Commission, 2011).

The protection of your personal web accounts and your secure information can be safer if you create stronger passwords. Take a minute and think about how many times you get on and check your email. How many email accounts do you have? Think about how many online applications you use that require you to sign-on with an id and a password. In a study conducted by BitDefender Srl. they found that “75% of people use their e-mail passwords on other online sites” (Griffith, 2010). By using the same password for several applications you are making it easier for a cyber intruder to gain access to your private and personal information.

When creating a new password there is certain information that should not be used to create better stronger passwords. Some of the terms that should be avoided to insure that your password is more secure include, love, money, and god (Griffith, 2010). Passwords should also avoid personal information such as license plate numbers, and special dates like birthdays and anniversaries. To keep your information safe: use a password only once for only one site, avoid common words, and avoid personal information.

Social networking sites are another way cyber intruders can get a hold of your personal information. Today many social networks are providing “services and safety nets” that lookout for the account holder. MySpace, for example, provides users with the ability to block anyone from contacting them. The “blocking” services provided by MySpace and similar sites have allowed the amount of cyber bulling incidents to decrease because the unwanted comments are not able to be posted on a persons “page” or “wall”(Nigam, 2010). MySpace also “automatically locks an account that appears to have anomalous activity to prevent phishing and spam attacks against users.” Cyber safety can be easy if you follow these simple tips and tricks. Through education we can prevent unwanted access into our personal information and protect our children in an increasing technological world.

References:

Cybersafety in the classroom. (2010, June). Retrieved from http://www.districtadministration.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=2428 Federal Communications Commission. (n.d.). Children's internet protection act. Retrieved from []

Griffith, E. Password Protection: How to Create Strong Passwords. (Oct 2010). PC magazine. Retrieved from [|http://researchport.umd.edu]

Nigam, H. Protecting Youths in an online world. FDCH Congressional Testimony. (2010). Retrieved from [|http://researchport.umd.edu]

//Common sense media//. (2011). Retrieved from []

//Cyber bullying research center//. (2011). Retrieved from [] Date Finished: November 18th, 2011 http://media.photobucket.com/image/cyber%20safety/cyberagentx/monitor_facebook.jpg?o=4#!oZZ1QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fmedia.photobucket.com%2Fimage%2Fcyber%20safety%2FGetWiseOnline%2FOwly_1.jpg%3Fo%3D1 Photo by GetWiseOnline

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