Introduction
So you think you know about the web? You think you’re safe? After all it’s all in the computer, so how could it hurt you? Guess again.
The truth is: it’s a jungle out there! It’s full of traps for the unwary and vicious predators waiting to destroy your life.
It isn’t safe but you can learn to protect yourself. You can learn to minimise your exposure to dark side of the web. How? By arming yourself with information and shielding yourself with the use of a little commonsense.
This program is designed to help students who are using the Internet to identify and avoid situations that could threaten their safety.
Task
Goals:
To increase student knowledge of Internet safety
To aid the student in identifying dangers on the Internet
To build critical-thinking and decision-making skills relating to computer usage
To help students protect themselves from inappropriate behavior online
Objectives: By the end of this training, students will be able to:
Identify five types of personal information
Identify types of online “Stranger Danger”
Identify appropriate people for communication
Identify how to protect themselves from inappropriate Internet behavior
Content Outline
A. “Stranger Danger”
B. Going on the Internet is like going out on Halloween
C. Appropriate WebsitesD. Appropriate Email and Messages
E. Giving Out Information
F. Meeting People on the Internet
G. Passwords
H. Summary – talk with adults about what you are doing on the Internet and have an agreement with your parents or guardian.
Process
Scenarios for Discussion
Cindy has been talking online to a girl named Julie for a few days now. Julie has told Cindy where she lives, how old she is, where she goes to school, and what she looks like. Julie asks Cindy what school she goes to.
Is it okay for Cindy to tell her?
(What else shouldn’t Cindy tell Julie?)
Michael is talking to his friend Chris from school online, studying for a test. They are working on their homework together. Chris says they should meet before class to review for the test. Is this okay?
(Should he also ask a parent just to make sure?)
Jennifer is talking to a friend online when she gets a message saying there is trouble with her computer and she needs to type in her online password again. Should she do it?
(What should she do?)
Jake is talking to a friend he met on the Internet. The friend offers to help him finish his homework, and asks for Jake’s phone number. Is it okay for Jake to give it to him, since it has to do with homework?
(What should he do?)
Allison has been talking to Linda online for several months. Linda says she is the same age as Allison, and lives nearby. Linda wants to meet Allison in the mall to go shopping. Should Allison go meet her?
(What should she do?)
Jeff got an e-mail from someone he doesn’t know, with a file attached. Should he open it?
(What should he do?)
Tina gets an online message from a woman who says her name is Mrs. Anderson, and that she is a math teacher. Mrs. Anderson wants to know what school Tina goes to and what her teacher’s name is. Should Tina tell her?
(What should she do?)
Paul is online when he gets a message saying he won a free Xbox! He just needs to send in his address and phone number so it can be mailed to him. Should he give the information?
(What should he do?)
Evaluation