Inappropriate Content: BEWARE!
It might not be a surprise to you, but the Internet is filled with inappropriate content of all types. According to the Australian Government, "Inappropriate content is that which breaches norms or standards on social, religious, cultural or other grounds." With this definition comes the notion that inappropriate content can and has changed in each generation of our society. What we consider to be normal, appropriate content today most certainly would have been considered inappropriate content in the past. Here is a list of some types of inappropriate content from which we must protect our children:
Resource:
http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Schools/Common%20cybersafety%20issues/Inappropriate%20content/What%20is%20inappropriate%20content.aspx
The following are some handy tips that parents, students, and educators can use to help protect themselves from inappropriate content:
Students:
1. When you are exposed to inappropriate content, tell an adult - Students should be aware of the danger associated with inappropriate content such as extreme violence or gore, terrorist acts, or hate crimes. An adult, parent, or guardian should be immediately notified if a student is exposed to inappropriate content.
2. As a preventative measure, visit only trusted websites - As a student, your Internet use, especially at school, is pretty basic and used mainly for educational purposes. Don't click on any pop-ups or advertisements and only visit trusted websites that you've visited before. When in doubt, ask your teacher, librarian, other adult before you click on any links (especially from Google).
3. Avoid becoming friends with strangers on social networking websites - Students should be aware of the dangers associated with strangers on the Internet. By becoming friends with a stranger on a social networking site like Facebook, you are exposing yourself to whatever they decide to post on their Wall or your Wall. They may post and expose you to inappropriate and obscene content.
Resource:
http://www.ehow.com/list_6575151_internet-safety-rules-teens.html
Educators:
1. Encourage the appropriate use of technology - Educators should focus on the positives of the Internet rather than dragging students down with the negatives of Internet usage. The Internet is an amazing educational resource and students should focus on its positive values rather than the potential dangers it offers.
2. Teach students how to respond to inappropriate content - Educators should show students what to do should they happen to stumble upon inappropriate content while using the computer or surfing the Internet. It is important that students realize that they did not do anything wrong by accidentally stumbling upon inappropriate content on the Internet. Students should be ready, willing, and able to use the tools necessary to block inappropriate content.
3. Bring parents and students together on the issue - Educators should make the message clear to both students and parents that the Internet contains inappropriate content. For example, educators can make Internet safety a topic at Back-To-School night and discuss with parents and students the importance of remaining safe online.
Resource:
http://edudemic.com/2011/10/student-online-safety-guide/
Parents:
1. Install blocking, filtering, and monitoring utilities on the home computer - Parents can install software that can protect students from pop-ups and restrict access to websites known to have inappropriate content. This is a very important first step and allows parents some piece of mind while their child is using the Internet.
2. Become aware of where your children have access to the Internet - Parents can find out where their children have access to the Internet and take the necessary steps to make sure they are safe. For example, most school computers have blocking software to protect students, but most libraries do not. Parents can encourage each location where their children may access the Internet to obtain the proper blocking and monitoring software.
3. Build trust with your children - Parents should gain enough trust from their children so that their children come to them whenever they do find inappropriate content or material online. Once children tell parents about their experiences with inappropriate content, parents can then take the necessary steps to ensure protection is implemented.
Resource:
http://www.netsmartz.org/InappropriateContent
Video:
Here is a video on protecting children from pornography online.
- Violence (including in pictures, video clips, films, and games)
- Sexually Explicit Content (including nudity, pornography, and other obscene materials)
- Websites With Extreme Political Views
- Hate Websites
- Websites That Promote Drug Use or Terrorist Activities
- Online Advertising (including ads with adult-only content)
Resource:
http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Schools/Common%20cybersafety%20issues/Inappropriate%20content/What%20is%20inappropriate%20content.aspx
The following are some handy tips that parents, students, and educators can use to help protect themselves from inappropriate content:
Students:
1. When you are exposed to inappropriate content, tell an adult - Students should be aware of the danger associated with inappropriate content such as extreme violence or gore, terrorist acts, or hate crimes. An adult, parent, or guardian should be immediately notified if a student is exposed to inappropriate content.
2. As a preventative measure, visit only trusted websites - As a student, your Internet use, especially at school, is pretty basic and used mainly for educational purposes. Don't click on any pop-ups or advertisements and only visit trusted websites that you've visited before. When in doubt, ask your teacher, librarian, other adult before you click on any links (especially from Google).
3. Avoid becoming friends with strangers on social networking websites - Students should be aware of the dangers associated with strangers on the Internet. By becoming friends with a stranger on a social networking site like Facebook, you are exposing yourself to whatever they decide to post on their Wall or your Wall. They may post and expose you to inappropriate and obscene content.
Resource:
http://www.ehow.com/list_6575151_internet-safety-rules-teens.html
Educators:
1. Encourage the appropriate use of technology - Educators should focus on the positives of the Internet rather than dragging students down with the negatives of Internet usage. The Internet is an amazing educational resource and students should focus on its positive values rather than the potential dangers it offers.
2. Teach students how to respond to inappropriate content - Educators should show students what to do should they happen to stumble upon inappropriate content while using the computer or surfing the Internet. It is important that students realize that they did not do anything wrong by accidentally stumbling upon inappropriate content on the Internet. Students should be ready, willing, and able to use the tools necessary to block inappropriate content.
3. Bring parents and students together on the issue - Educators should make the message clear to both students and parents that the Internet contains inappropriate content. For example, educators can make Internet safety a topic at Back-To-School night and discuss with parents and students the importance of remaining safe online.
Resource:
http://edudemic.com/2011/10/student-online-safety-guide/
Parents:
1. Install blocking, filtering, and monitoring utilities on the home computer - Parents can install software that can protect students from pop-ups and restrict access to websites known to have inappropriate content. This is a very important first step and allows parents some piece of mind while their child is using the Internet.
2. Become aware of where your children have access to the Internet - Parents can find out where their children have access to the Internet and take the necessary steps to make sure they are safe. For example, most school computers have blocking software to protect students, but most libraries do not. Parents can encourage each location where their children may access the Internet to obtain the proper blocking and monitoring software.
3. Build trust with your children - Parents should gain enough trust from their children so that their children come to them whenever they do find inappropriate content or material online. Once children tell parents about their experiences with inappropriate content, parents can then take the necessary steps to ensure protection is implemented.
Resource:
http://www.netsmartz.org/InappropriateContent
Video:
Here is a video on protecting children from pornography online.