Cyber Safety

Technology is a part of our everyday lives. It's on the counter, in our bedrooms, and even in the cars we drive. Due to the increasing amount of internet exposure, it’s important that our students are aware of the potential harmful effects they could have on others when posting online . Developmentally elementary students are still unable to think about the long term effects of internet posting and often act impulsively without thinking though their statements. Consequently, students are posting negative statements about classmates that are preserved digitally for the world to see. See my Digital Tattoo

http://parentinfo.org/article/what-is-a-digital-tattoo

Therefore, they're in need of boundaries, restrictions, and constant monitoring. Programs such as YouTube, Google, and Instagram are some of the social media avenues in which they need these limits. Please take a few minutes to look at your technology restrictions and make sure they are up to date. Also have a conversation about internet safety with the main message being “think before you post”. Here are a few links to help facilitate the conversation about internet safety.

https://www.stopbullying.gov/blog/tags/Social-Media

http://www.ncpc.org/topics/internet-safety/