I feel like the question of internet safety and kids is something that a few years ago we discussed in relation to teenagers and social media. Today, that conversation has evolved to include kids of all ages because internet access surrounds them.
The benefits of having all this information at their fingertips is magical, but the underlying safety concerns are not.
It is really a balancing act that the more we as parents know, the better!
Today I was a guest at Google's Be Internet Awesome in San Antonio. It was a hands-on display of all the good work they have been doing in partnership with schools and teachers. They also announced today that parent resources are also now available!
The day started out with a panel of experts discussing the challenges we are all having when it comes to kids and internet safety.
The panel consisted of:
- Aarthi Scott – Director, Emerging Trends & Risk Management, Google
- Diana Madrid-Vidaurri – STEM Program Manager, Boys and Girls Club
- Erin McCowey – Program Coordinator, Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI)
- Jessica Covarrubias – Be Internet Awesome Lead, Google
- Leslie Boggs – President Elect, National Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
- Maurine Molak – Co-Founder, David's Legacy Foundation
The panel discussion talked about how Be Internet Awesome has been used in schools and giving teachers much-needed resources to tackle this complicated subject. As the program has evolved, they are including resources for parents too. This conversation with kids is important from every direction!
You can grab this resource for your family at the Be Internet Awesome website.
After a Q&A, we were encouraged to go interact with the exhibits that would be filled with school kids for the rest of the day! Each area taught a pillar of content of the Be Internet Awesome Program:
- Smart
- Alert
- Strong
- Kind
- Brave
Each of these were taught with hands-on games and fun.
Be Internet Smart
The cornerstone of this program is to teach kids to be smart online and share with care. The curriculum covers what kind of information is OK to be shared and what should be kept private – or just with family.
The learning game in this area of the exhibit was a LARGE grid that the player could use triangles to push the light into the proper category. It took me a minute to master it, but once I developed a strategy, I was accurate and having a good time.
Your kids can play a version of this game in the Interlands on the Be Internet Awesome website.
Tips to help kids be smart online:
- Be a positive presence online just like you are in real life (IRL).
- Think before you post.
- Protect your secrets.
- Don't assume that people online will see you the way you think they'll see you.
- It's always important to respect other people's privacy choices, even if they aren't the choices you'd make yourself.
Be Internet Alert
Being internet alert means not falling for the fake! Just because something is online, it doesn't mean it is true. <–there are some adults that need to review this lesson!
In this area, we were challenged to decide if something was FAKE or REAL. If it was fake, once it was placed correctly in the fake slot…
It would trigger the fake element to be crumpled up and vaulted out of the top of the tube. It was up to us to make sure it landed in one of the red holes!
Your kids can play a version of this game in the Interlands on the Be Internet Awesome website.
Tips to help kids be more alert online:
- Double check a site for credibility.
- Use secure websites.
- Don't fall for scams.
- It can happen to anyone, so tell an adult!
- Attention! Remember that website or ad can't tell if there's anything wrong with your device!
Be Internet Strong
Being internet strong means protecting your secrets and understanding why digital security matters.
The game we played was to set up a strong password using a selection of letter, number and character blocks.
Each of the passwords were rated and tips given to improve them. When I did it, I was told to increase the number of characters in the password and also to use more character blocks.
Your kids can play a version of this game in the Interlands on the Be Internet Awesome website.
Tips for kids to be internet strong:
- Create a strong password.
- Switch it up – use a different password for each important account.
- Get creative – don't use passwords that are easy to guess.
- Avoid getting personal.
- Don't hesitate to change your password!
Be Internet Kind
Let's all agree that it is cool to be kind! This chapter defines what is positive behavior and how that affects your family.
The game in this area requires kids to work together. Be kind!
Your kids can play a version of this game in the Interlands on the Be Internet Awesome website.
Tips for kids to be internet kind:
- Follow the golden rule.
- Be an Upstander – fight bad behavior and stand up for positiveness and kindness.
- Do simple actions to turn negative interactions into positive ones.
- Make good decisions when choosing what to say and how to deliver it.
- Spread kindness online.
Be Internet Brave
When in doubt, talk it out. It is important for kids to understand they are not alone. When they see something inappropriate or something that makes them uncomfortable, they have a support system that can help. Whether they talk to an adult or enlist the help of a friend…no one should face this alone!
The Be Brave Challenge used all the information we had learned along the way.
Your kids can play a version of this game in the Interlands on the Be Internet Awesome website.
How kids can be internet brave:
- Say something when something negative is found.
- Talk it out.
- Report and/or block it!
- Get proof.
- Don't be afraid.
Take the Internet Awesome Pledge
I pledge to be Internet Smart, Alert, Strong, Kind and Brave.
- Share with Care
- Don't Fall for Fake
- Secure Your Secrets
- It's Cool to Be Kind
- When in Doubt, Talk It Out
I am Internet Awesome.
The most important lesson of the day for me was to rethink internet safety. I have always thought of it as a boring subject that kids really aren't interested in unless there is a crisis. But the exhibit showed it as so much more. Each of these topics are important to safety and not boring at all!
The post How Kids Can Be Safer On The Internet appeared first on Kids Activities Blog.
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