October - Cyber Security Awareness Month

STOP/THINK/CONNECT (www.stopthinkconnect.org) is an organization focused on "keeping the web a safer place for everyone." Connected with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, they provide resource materials and promote programs to educate us all about safety and security on the internet.

This and other organizations are promoting National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). More information is available at the stop.think.connect site as well as at StaySafeOnline.org.

Among the resources on the StaySafeOnline page are a couple safety tips documents, one for all computers, the other for use with mobile devices.  Links to these files are provided below.

STOP.THINK.CONNECT.Tip Sheet

STOP.THINK.CONNECT. Mobile Tip Sheet

They are both PDF files which you can download and save to your computer if you wish.

Social Media and Sexting

There are many organizations that have ongoing campaigns around the theme of online safety and security and share resources online to help us all. One website I came across recently is that of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The particular article that grabbed my attention is

Talking to Kids and Teens About Social Media and Sexting

Check out their web site, www.aap.org, for more information on internet safety and other helpful topics.

Commmon Sense Media Brings Learning to Life

Common Sense Media is not just about digital citizenship. If you have checked out their web site you will find much more than help with keeping yourself and your kids safe and secure on the world wide web. They also provide help with evaluating various types of media (tv, movies, etc.) and education in general. Here is an example of their efforts in the learning realm.

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/guide/back-to-school-guide

Using Devices Safely - Texting

One aspect of digital citizenship involves using your devices in a manner that is safe for both you and the people around you in physical space. I just discovered an opinion piece in the New York Times about texting on a phone while walking. It includes a short video created by the author to point out the dangers. Take a peek. The link is below.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/09/opinion/texting-while-walking.html?ref=sunday

Do you know the warning signs of inappropriate online behavior?

Rachel Linton recently spoke about internet and technology safety at Messalonskee Middle School. Ms. Linton is education manager at the Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center. Click on the link below to view her presentation.
http://ustre.am/J88I

Facebook Settings/Privacy Help

Have you or your child checked your Facebook privacy settings lately?  A Facebook Guide for parents has been uploaded to the "Cyberbullying" page to help you and your family use Facebook safely.

Online Safety Habits Need to be Learned Early

The following is an excerpt from a recent posting by Commonsense Media.

Why Internet safety matters

Kids today can go online from so many different sources, including video game consoles, iPhones and smart phones, and even handheld gaming devices. Young people are increasingly living their lives online, and their digital devices are some of their favorite toys and tools.

Shouldn’t this new playground be a safe and nice place? With your guidance, it can be. Teaching Internet safety in the elementary years will have lasting rewards for you and your kids.

The site shares some very basic recommendations on keeping kids safe when using the internet, including sharing of personal information and photos, passwords, and when not to open email messages. It also outlines more detailed strategies for being both responsible and safe when on line.

To check out those details and more go to Internet Safety Tips for Elementary School Kids