Internet Safety Resource Page

Internet Safety

It's important to all of us that our kids are safe here at school. Physical safety is important and so is their safety online. This page is dedicated to their digital safety. This page is in progress and will change as new information is gathered.

Below you will find a presentation that I have created with some information about Internet safety. In addition, I have conducted some independent research and interviews with three tech-savvy students on apps that they like to use and the pros / cons of these apps.

It is important that we are aware of our own child's use of social media. As one student shared with me, "It (the Internet) is a big place. It's hard to know what you're going to get and what's going to come through."

Talk with them. Have them show you what they are experiencing online. Help keep them safe.

If you have suggestions to add to this page, please email me. Thanks!

Privacy and Internet Safety

Instagram

How is it used?

Instagram is a social media platform that allows users to post photos, text, or videos to share with followers or a specific group of friends. Users enjoy the social aspect of this media. They get to see what their friends are up to. Guidelines from Instagram say it is for ages 13 and up only.

Parent Tips

If your child has access to this app, be aware of the following:

There are private and public accounts. Anything put out to the public can be seen by anyone.
Comments are not monitored. Anyone can leave comments to a public posting. These comments may or may not follow good digital citizenship practices.
Posts can be set for only 24 hours. Some of the material your child sees on this site may not be there when you take a look.

Read the Parent Guide.

Snapchat

How is it used?

Snapchat, commonly referred to as Snap, is a social media platform that allows users to post photos, text, videos, emojis, etc. to share person-to-person. Kids like to use this app to socialize with their friends and to create SnapStreaks - continual days of communicating with someone. The minimum age for using the app is 13.

Parent Tips

If your child has access to this app, be aware of the following:

With the Snap Map feature, users can post an image along with their exact location.
There are settings allowing for incoming messages from certain people only.
Postings happen for only seconds and then they are gone. Chances are you won't see what your child is receiving unless you are there while it is received.

Read the Parent Guide.

TikTok

How is it used?

TikTok allows users to share videos with text and soundtracks. It was formerly known as Musical.ly. Users like to see popular dances on TikTok and imitate them to share with friends. There is a section of the app for children under the age of 13 that highly restricts access to viewing, commenting, and sharing.

Parent Tips

If your child has access to this app, be aware of the following:

TikTok had to pay millions to settle with regulators because it violated children's privacy law.
Comments are not monitored. Anyone can leave comments to a public posting. These comments may or may not follow good digital citizenship practices.
Unless a video is liked (by selecting the heart next to the video), it may never again pop up as you scroll.

Read the Parent Guide.

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