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* En Espanol - mas As summer approaches, students have more
free time and much of it may be spent at the computer which is a
wonderful tool to explore the world and learn; however, as with many
excellent innovations, there may also be dangers associated with
Internet usage. Unfortunately, Child Internet safety has become an
increasingly pressing issue and one that Pasadena ISD is addressing as
part of its commitment to student safety.
Students need to be taught proper computer and Internet usage, but they
also need to learn about the dangers online predators present and about
how to avoid them. In Pasadena ISD and the surrounding area, the
Educational Technology Network, a group of school district instructional
technology professionals, is implementing Internet Safety Week (May 7-
11) and is providing age-appropriate curriculum throughout the week to
teach students what they need to look for and how they can become better
and safer Internet users. Topics include cyber bullying, email, social
networking, and personal information. These topics are taught with a
positive tone that encourages computer and Internet usage while taking
proper precautionary measures.
Pasadena ISD will also offer parent Internet safety training as part of
its usual safety sessions offered through the Pasadena ISD Police
Department and Safe and Drug Free Schools. Please contact your campus
for more information about training sessions.
Some tips for parents include:
* Place the computer in a central area that can be monitored by parents.
* Advise children not to include personal information on their profiles
in Instant Messenger or a chat room. Personal information may include
such items as name, date of birth, address, phone number, and school
attended.
* Talk to your children about online predators and have them tell you
immediately if they receive sexually explicit conversations or material.
* Make sure that their profile preferences are set to “Archive” to save
all messages so they can be pulled up and viewed at a later date if
needed.
If a child is “approached” online, parents need to know the steps they
can take to save evidence and report the incident:*
* Have your child immediately walk away from the computer, leaving the
message or picture on the screen and contact a parent or teacher
immediately.
* Go to the computer and press the “Shift” button and the “Print Screen”
button simultaneously to capture the information.
* Open up the “Paint” or other photo editing program.
* Open the “Edit” menu at the top of the paint or photo editing program
and click paste. The image should now appear on your Paint or photo
editing program.
* Open the “File” menu and save the picture or explicit conversation.
Save it in a location you will be able to locate it later.
* Make note of the “User Name” or “Friend ID” of the person sending the
material.
* Make note of the time and date the explicit conversation or photo was
sent.
* Go to www.cybertipline.com and click on “Make a Report.”
* Contact your local Law Enforcement Agency.
* In some cases you can click on “Report this image” and fill out the
required information to make a report. (This option is offered by
MySpace and several others.)
* Tips provided by Detective Matt Gray, Pasadena ISD Police Department.
Other resources:
www.netSmartz411
www.missingkids.com
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