Protecting Student Privacy
"Children and teens can easily parrot the 'right' answers when asked about whether they should share information with strangers, for example. But research shows that most children begin withholding information about their online media use by age 10." Renee Hobbs, Create to Learn
In a digital age, understanding how to protect personal information and electronic data is a vital skill. From keeping computer virus software updated to comprehending the implications of “data mining,” our students need to understand the importance of protecting their online privacy and safety.
Tips for Protecting Online Privacy
- Use strong, unique passwords, no matter what type of device you are using.
- Check that social network privacy settings (e.g., Facebook) are set to the most restricted levels.
- Understand that nothing you post online is truly private. If you wouldn’t want others to copy it, forward it, etc., don’t post it.
- Minimize access to personal information – Lock or log off your computer when you’re not using it.
- When signing up for online programs or making online purchases, be sure to check for a privacy policy statement or seal that indicates the site follows privacy standards.
- Think before you download – Spyware (a program that sends information about what you’re doing on the internet to a third-party) frequently invades computers when you download screensavers, games, music, and other applications.
- Beware of opening email attachments from strangers – Viruses most commonly enter and infect your computer via attachments.
Source: Consumer.FTC.Gov
Steering Clear of Cyber Tricks – The YouTube Safety Centered created this very comprehensive 3 minute video on protecting your online privacy :
Who uses student data?
There are three fundamental questions related to the privacy of student data.
By understanding these, you can begin to see why they raise so many privacy concerns, as well as why this is a difficult issue to address.
- When and what kind of information can an online service provider or other commercial entity request from a student?
- What kind of data can an online service provider collect about a student as they are using the service?
- Who controls use of the data and what can the service provider do with data about a student, whether it is data given to the service provider or collected by the service provider?
The 6 Privacy Laws Affecting K-12
The Student Online Personal Information Protection Act (SB 1177) places a prohibitions on online services used for K-12 education, including: using data for targeted advertising, building a student profile, and selling and sharing information.
The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment establishes requirements related to parental notification and opt-out option when collecting information from students that may be used for marketing purposes.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Includes both privacy and security requirements regarding health related information.
Student Privacy and FERPA
Student Privacy and COPPA
Privacy Training
From Common Sense: This self-paced 45-minute interactive online course for educators "will introduce the topic of student online privacy and offer concrete best practices for managing the risks to students."