Family Guide to Internet Safety

The Internet has been called the most exciting new learning tool of the century, one that offers access to the world far beyond the four walls of classrooms, homes, and libraries. Students can climb Mount Everest, tour virtual museums, and connect to a satellite orbiting the moon. They can share stories, collect data, and participate in research projects and scientific expeditions around the world.

There are, however, some downsides to using the Internet. Because no one entity owns or regulates it there are no checks or limits on the content of the information offered. Accuracy, relevance, and objectivity cannot be guaranteed, and the possibility of accessing objectionable materials is always present. Unscrupulous people with dishonest or immoral motives do use the Internet. It is these characteristics of the Internet that present safety problems, particularly for children.

Discuss the tips in this site with your children, and set guidelines for using the Internet. Call the library media center of your child's school to request the videos about Internet safety. The best way to educate your children about the Internet, however, is to spend time online with them. Learn how to log on and how to send and receive e-mail. Take a virtual field trip, read a foreign newspaper, or select a spot for your next family vacation.

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