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As more schools gain internet access and develop their own web presence, the issue of child safety becomes increasingly relevant. Technology has come speeding into the classroom, often leaving policy-makers with their heads aspin as they puzzle over policy.

There is little argument that schools must offer education and access to the wonders of the web, but the fact remains that many of the adults, both parents and teachers alike, know little about the real workings of the internet.

Sometimes the technology is in place before schools or parents have had time to think about setting policies to ensure safe surfing for students. Then, with little information to guide them, they may institute policies which are inappropriate or ineffective. Sadly, a poor policy is worse than none at all.

School Web Sites

Schools are putting up their own web sites at a dizzying rate, almost 20 per day! So questions arise as to what the site should contain.

Most sites include pictures of students, many using the full name and other information. However, there are parents who are convinced this is unsafe. There have been no recorded cases of children (or anyone else) being victimized because their picture appeared on a school site, but in this day of broken homes, it may be prudent not to include last names. Also, as a courtesy, parents might be given the option of excluding recognizable photos of their children from the site.

Dangers of Web Use

If children are allowed unsupervised access to the web, either at home or at school, they will soon run into trouble.

Porn sites abound on the internet, and kids are curious. Search engines can give a child links to thousands of porn sites within seconds. Enough said!

Chat rooms are a source of hidden internet danger. Predators posing as teens often curry e-mail relationships with kids of all ages. Once a rapport is established, the pervert asks for more information or a meeting is set up. These stories don't have happy endings!

Link to link to link… That's how the web works, and within a click or two you can go from a wholesome site to one unfit for human consumption—and it's all so very innocent. The original site has no control where you end up after leaving the linked site.

What To Do?

At home or at school:

• set clear policies for web use.
• Be present when kids are in chat rooms.
• Supervise kids as they surf.
• Read incoming and outgoing e-mail.

Also, see:

Child Safety on the Internet

Teen Safety on the Internet