Internet Safety in the Classroom

The job description of the classroom teacher changes almost as quickly as updates are on

smartphones. Teachers are educators, students, counselors, evaluators, trip coordinators,

mediators, psychologists, planners, creators, entertainers, quick thinkers, authors, baby sitters,

comedians, coaches, sponsors, furniture movers, advisers, and the list goes on. One of the most

important roles of teachers in the 21st century classroom is as protector. Teachers have always

provided protection for their students; that has been a natural and obvious role of anyone

working with children. However, as the internet has created instant access to information, it also

created access to inappropriate information. Todays classroom teacher must now provide

students with instruction on web safety.

Students of today are tech-savvy and adept at using and learning new technology. They

have the newest versions of iPhones and Samsung devices. In most instances they are more

comfortable using these devices than their teachers. (Richardson 2010). It would be a mistake

however, for teachers to translate students technical skills to students understanding and

knowledge of web safety. Therefore, teachers must provide students with proper, relevant, and

useful information on how to navigate the web. Educators must make students aware of

preserving privacy and teach students to be critical analysts when researching or reading

websites. From the youngest to the oldest students in schools today, safety must be a major

component of instruction.

Teachers cannot assume that students know the appropriate use of technology and how to

use online information. As with any tool used in the classroom, from something as elementary as

a pencil to a laptop, it is the classroom teachers responsibility to educate the student about the
appropriate use of materials. Teachers must discuss this information as part of their classroom

procedures and rules. Among some of the most important tips for students are as follows:

Using School Computers

1. Do not share computer passwords with another student.

2. Log off the computer after use. If you should find that a student has not

logged off, notify the teacher before using.

3. Do not attempt to download any files from the internet without the teachers

permission. When in doubt, give the teacher a shout!

4. Do not complete any fill-in forms or provide any personal information to any

site online. If prompted, notify the teacher before proceeding.

5. The internet may not be used to send any obscene, threatening, or abusive

messages or materials.

In addition to the guidelines for using technology, students must be educated about the

importance of internet safety; this must begin as early as kindergarten. One of the most important

things for teachers to remember is to monitor and supervise students at all times! Many schools

have installed teacher monitoring software to assist them in monitoring students online activity.

This software has been beneficial in keeping students on task when students are using school

computers. As for keeping students safe online when outside of the classroom, teachers must

educate students of the dangers of online predators, cyberbullying, and inappropriate material, to

name a few. A good acronym to remember when teaching this is YAPPY. I stress to students not

to share your full name, address, phone number, passwords or your plans and any other

personal information with anyone online. I also discuss with students the understanding and

importance of a protecting their digital footprint. I found many of the tips that I use on this site
listed below. I have linked it on my Schoology account for students to use and refer to

throughout the year.

http://primarytech.global2.vic.edu.au/2012/10/12/10-internet-safety-tips-for-students/

Students and parents must be made aware of the potential dangers that exist online. The

following site has excellent information for teachers and parents in keeping children safe online.

It addresses common questions among various age groups. It provides parents with strategies and

information to keep their children safe.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/privacy-and-internet-safety

To implement safety in the curriculum, many school systems have adopted uniform

policies in their handbooks that address the proper use of school technology. It is often a

requirement for parents and students alike to acknowledge the policies and agree to adherence of

those policies in writing. In the school where I am a teacher, we have printed those policies in the

first few pages of the students agenda books. During the first week of school, teachers include

the handbook and technology policies as part of their instruction. Parents and students are

required to document their knowledge of and adherence to the policies. This year, we have also

updated the district policies and included Bring Your Own Technology guidelines that address

the use and misuse of individual devices in the classroom. Each classroom has a visual

red/yellow/green light indicator to signal how and if BTOY technology is used at that given

time and is as follows: red - no technology used today, yellow - device out but not on, green -

device on and in use. Students are trained at the beginning of each class to look for the indicator

before using their personal technology. For instance, if a student is using their device on a
yellow indicator, they will lose their BYOT privilege for 30 days. To date, only 3 students out of

150 7th graders have lost their privilege.

Our BYOT policies were created from the information our leadership, technology, and

student government teams obtained while visiting other schools that were allowing students to

use personal devices. The thought, planning, and implementation of these guidelines and

policies have been instrumental in a smooth transition to a BYOT school. Also, having these

policies printed in the student agenda books has freed the teacher from collecting 150 parent

signatures when using technology. Any student enrolling after the initial lessons on technology, is

individually instructed by the homeroom teacher about policies and also sent to a new student

meeting held once a month for those students. At the end of each year, our leadership team meets

with the technology team to discuss updates to the coming year.

Teachers today wear many hats; they are required to be many things to many people. The

same can also be said about our schools. Schools are required to support the development of

responsible citizenship in a democratic society and provide skills necessary to meet the demands

of the future. Students must also understand their roles in using technology and discerning

information from the World Wide Web. Proper training and use of technology is an authentic

skill, as is improper use of technology. With that, internet safety must a required and vitally

important element for any and all classrooms today and tomorrow.

Richardson, W. (2010) The Read/Write Web. In Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web

Tools for the Classroom (3rd ed., pp. 11-16). Thousand Oaks: SAGE.