Privacy+and+Safety

Privacy and Safety Issues Sarah Gramberg



**Introduction** As computers usage in schools become a larger part of student curriculum, educators everywhere are being asked to focus more on the privacy and safety of internet usage among students. It is important that not only educators be educated on the privacy and safety of the internet, but parents too. Unfortunately educators should not rely on parents to teach their children about the privacy and safety of the internet. Many times parents might not know of or follow the rules (Kruger, 2003). With students using the internet more and more, there are many issues that can arise regarding privacy and safety of students, fortunately there is a lot of research on this topic, which contains some great tips for keeping children safe while using the internet.

**Literature** One issue regarding privacy and safety of the internet usage is cyber ethics, which is the right and wrong use of the internet (Kruger, 2003). Some examples of cyber ethics are: finding text from internet sites then copy and pasting directly to student work, burning video games and cd's, and file sharing websites containing music. These examples can also be referred to as software piracy. Kruger (2003) feels that it is important to inform students of this software piracy at a young age. Students need to know when they disregarding cyber ethics, they are technically stealing software. Software piracy can have large consequences on students, especially once they reach high school or college. Educators need to know how to inform students of software piracy, before letting students roam the internet. Kruger gives educators three tips to prevent students from software piracy. The first tip is for educators to teach by example. While educators work at their own computer with the class, they should take time to show students the software license. Educators should point out the copyright symbol to students and explain to students what the copyright symbol means. Second, educators can teach students cyber ethics through assignments and discussions. Focusing on key terms regarding cyber ethics is a good way to introduce students to cyber ethics. Key terms include: viruses, worms, file-sharing, copyright, hacking, software piracy, license agreements, and file sharing software. Educators should also share these key terms with parents as well. It is also important for educators to start showing students how to cite and reference authors and websites as they begin to use the internet for sources. Lastly, educators can seek cyber ethic resources. Kruger (2003) recommends educators visiting this site to help educate students on the issue of cyber ethics .

There is a large fear among educators and parents that children are unconcerned about giving out their information on the internet, especially with regards to social networks. Fortunately, a 2007 study conducted by the Pew Internet and American Life project, found that most of teens who put their information online, do take precautions to protects themselves. Such as not posting their last names on social networks, keeping sensitive information away from the internet, and keeping phone numbers and home addresses offline (Kranich, 2007). Even though research has found that teens are taking steps to keep themselves safe on the internet, it is important for adults to keep educating students with proper privacy and safety issues. In many schools the librarians and teachers are the ones engaged in keeping students safe with regards to the internet. This article focuses primarily on the ways librarians should engage in keeping students safe while social networking, but the information is all great advice for educators and parents as well. Knowing users federal, state and local laws is one of the first steps to take with regards to privacy and the internet. Provide students with basic information about how sites operate. Include how best to stay private and access different controls. Engage students in conversations about the importance of keeping information private. Keeping parents and teachers updated with the school effort to keep their students information private is also important. Educating parents and teachers about the benefits of social networking, while keeping their children safe is beneficial. The more parents know, the better they can help keep their students/children safe. Overall it is important that parents, teachers and librarians help students to find a balance between interacting and sharing on a social networks and staying safe and private (Kranich, 2007).

Many schools have banned the use of social of networks on their campuses. Some students have argued that this is a way to control student behavior and freedom of speech. Educators believe that they are trying to keep their students safe, but instead of banning these social networking websites, it may be more beneficial for educators to use social networking websites as a way to teach students how to use the internet ethically, safely, and responsibly. Hooft (2007) feels that it is the educators role to: teach students to understand the ethical, cultural and societal issues that relate to technology, have students participate and practice in responsible use of technology systems, information and software programs, help students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that will support life long learning, collaboration, personal pursuits and productivity. Overall social networks and the use of internet can be viewed as positive learning tools for students, but it is up the educators with the help of parents to teach students how to correctly and ethically use the internet. Because students value technology in their lives, access to software or social networking sites should not be limited, but rather taught about (Hooft, 2007).

With regards to both cyber ethics and online safety in the classroom, Endicott-Popvsky (2009) states some good recommendations for teachers follow when using the internet with students: 1. Make sure students are aware of their vulnerabilities while they are online. Students need to be aware of their online safety, rather than relying on the firewalls that schools have set up. Have students think about proper online behavior and vulunerabilities, then share their ideas as a class. A group discussion can be very informative for students. 2. Have students make a pledge regarding online behavior. Students can be active in creating the pledge, which can help them to practice and abide by safe practices while online. To keep the pledge current, educators can make sure the pledge aligns with the latest research in online behaviors of students. The pledge can include rules to follow while using the internet, and also include consequences for not following rules in the pledge. 3. Educators can create an internet use policy for their students. When creating a internet use policy, educators can collaborate with parents, engage students, administrators, and the IT staff at the school. This will ensure that almost everyone involved in student safety has a say in their students' internet use. This is also a great way to keep parents informed on ways to keep their child safe while using the internet at home. When creating a policy, the policy will be most effective if teachers are communicating the policy often with students and parents, and making sure that the policy is constantly being followed in the classroom and at a students home. Updating and keeping a policy current is important to ensure safety and online awareness.

Online victimization is another concern regrading privacy and safety issues and the internet. Burrow, Call, Zheng, and Drew (2011) wrote this article for high school counselors, explaining how high school counselors can help prevent online victimization. Most of the advice given to high school counselors can also be good for parents, educators and students to read. Burrow et. al (2011) gives a list of prevention areas that school counselors can provide to parents to help keep their students' safe. Some of the prevention areas listed are: improve parent-child communication in relation to internet use; discuss the benefits and dangers of using the internet and include topics of sexual abuse; Talk with students about what is appropriate content found on the internet, and what is inappropriate content found on the internet; Educate students on what internet predators are, and how to protect themselves from them; parents and children should spend time searching the internet together, searching through appropriate websites; placing the computer in a family room, kitchen or other high visited room will help parents to see what their students are viewing; negotiate and establish rules regarding the computer and time spent on the computer; explain to children how to report victimizing crimes; discuss with students what is appropriate and inappropriate sharing of personal information online; and emphasize that the internet is not a place to make rude or nasty comments to peers. Getting parents more involved with their children's internet safety will help fight the issue of victimization online. Sometimes parents are not as familiar with the internet as their children are, so not only can the schools focus on teaching students safety on the internet, but it could be beneficial for schools to also educate parents. Burrow et. al (2011) makes some great and easy to follow points for not only counselors to share with their students, but also for parents to follow and enhance their knowledge of internet victimization.

**Conclusion** A major theme seen between the articles is the importance of teaching students proper and safe online use. Students need guidance and need to be taught how to keep themselves safe and private while using the internet. It seems that there needs to be more involvement from educators in teaching students appropriate online behavior and how to sift through the internet (Burrow et. al, 2011). Teachers should not rely on the firewalls and systems that schools have set up on their campuses. Parents also need to become more educated on keeping their children safe online. The more reinforcement children have, the more likely they are to stay safe. The internet is such a fun, but scary thing and keeping children safe is a main priority. One of the best ways to do this is to increase the amount of time educators and parents spend teaching children how to protect themselves while they are online.

**Resources for educators and parents** https://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs21-children.htm http://forum.psychlinks.ca/internet-behavior/9415-fbi-handbook-a-parents-guide-to-internet-safety.html http://www.google.com/search?q=laws+internet+safety+handbook&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

**References**  Burrow-Sanchez, J. J., Call, M. E., Zheng, R., & Drew, C. J. (2011). How School Counselors Can Help Prevent Online Victimization. //Journal of Counseling & Development//, 89(1), 3-10.

Endicott-Popovsky, B. (2009). Seeking a Balance: Online Safety for Our Children. //Teacher Librarian//, 37(2), 29-34

Kranich, N. (2007). Librarians and Teen Privacy in the Age of Social Networking. //Knowledge Quest//, 36(2-), 34-37.

Kruger, R. (2003). Discussing Cyber Ethics with Students Is Critical. //Social Studies//, 94(4), 188-189.

Van't Hooft, M. (2007). Schools, Children, and Digital Technology: Building Better Relationships for a Better Tomorrow. //Innovate: Journal of Online Education//, 3(4),