Surfing the Internet Safely

 Topic(s): This lesson is designed to help students who are using the Internet to identify and avoid situations that could threaten their safety.

Images/Video Resources

Scenario

The Internet can be a confusing and dangerous place. Without a safety net, many people can fall into the danger zones of pornography, predators, online scams, Internet viruses, and spyware. With such free access to the Internet around the world, many have abused it as an opportunity to take advantage of others.
But, there's no reason to fear the Internet. When used properly, with the right precautions and the right information; the Internet educates, positively influences, and provides a creative outlet for today's kids.

Task

Sample Investigations/Teacher Resources

• 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

Group Activites Worksheet: Scenarios for Discussion.docx 

Quiz for Internet safety: Safe Internet Surfing Quiz.docx

Safety Brochure: Safe Surfing Kids Brochure.pdf

Student Resources

http://www.safesurfingkids.com/

http://www.atg.wa.gov/InternetSafety/Teens.aspx

http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/safebasics/internet_safety.html

http://www.fbi.gov/fun-games/kids/kids-safety

http://www.nsteens.org/

http://www.netsmartz.org/internetsafety

Student Work

Standards

1. List your personal understanding, ideas or hunches.

 With your team use all the information available in the scenario to list everything that you know about internet surfing. You do not have to conduct any research yet. Just use the information given and write the facts that you already know about safe interent surfing.

With your team, make a list about what you do not know and would like to learn. List all the questions you will need to answer to solve the problem.  

5. List what needs to be done.
"What should we do?" List actions to be taken, e.g., question an expert, conduct research, go to a board meeting about topic. List possible actions. 

6. Develop a problem statement.

You will be responsible for thinking and choosing one of the questions to solve the problem.  A problem statement should come from your analysis of what you know. In one or two sentences, you should be able to describe what it is that your group is trying to solve, produce, respond to, or find out. The problem statement may have to be revised as new information is discovered and brought to bear on the situation.

Use all the resources available (Internet, library, etc) to research about the problem/topic and find a solution.

8. Present Findings

Create a Internet Safety Poster on Glogster.EDU or a Powerpoint Presentation. 

§126.22. Computer Science I

(3) Foundations. The student complies with the laws and examines the issues regarding the use of technology in society. The student is expected to:

(A) discuss copyright laws/issues and model ethical acquisition and use of digital information, citing sources using established methods;

(B) demonstrate proper etiquette and knowledge of acceptable use policies when using networks, especially resources on the Internet and intranet;

(C) investigate measures, such as passwords or virus detection/prevention, to protect computer systems and databases from unauthorized use and tampering; and

(D) discuss the impact of computer programming on the World Wide Web (WWW) community.

Lesson, quiz and brochure from www.safesurfingkids.com/lesson_plans

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