TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
We desire to partner with parents in the ever-changing world of technology. Since the majority of time students spend with technology tools is outside the classroom, we would like to provide parents with resources to help with rule setting, monitoring and protecting their students. Links to resources and statistics from a variety of sources, including the FBI, DOJ, Focus on the Family, Common Sense Media and more, are also posted on the right.
WHAT SHOULD PARENTS DO?
1. SET RULES
2. MONITOR
• Know your student’s accounts and passwords
• Check them on a regular basis
• Friend them
3. TALK TO YOUR KIDS
SOCIAL MEDIA:
• Private vs public information
• Privacy settings
• Appropriate online behavior
• Consideration of and respect for others
• Permanence of internet information
• Anonymity
• Real life friends vs internet friends
• Real life dangers in meeting Internet friends
• Time limits
INTERNET USAGE:
• Go to appropriate sites
• Think critically about online information
• Don’t download anything without checking with parents
• Don’t open accounts without checking with parents
DOWNLOADS:
• Agree on what is allowed (Free/Paid, appropriateness, etc.)
• Illegal downloads
GAMING:
• Agree on types of games
• Set limits
COMMUNICATION:
• Chatting with someone they’ve never met (12% of teens)
CYBER BULLYING AND SEXTING:
• Stop: Ignore minor teasing if you can
• Record: Keep bully messages in case proof is needed – delete sexts
• Block: Block communication
• Tell: Tell a trusted adult
4. BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL
QUESTIONS TO ASK
- Where do you access the Internet? (at home, school, friends' homes, elsewhere)?
- How often and how much time do you spend online?
- Do you go online alone or with other people?
- What web sites and programs do you access?
- Which social media accounts do you have?
- What personal information have you posted?
- Who are your online friends?
- What privacy settings have you set?
- What would you do in an uncomfortable online situation?
- Have you encountered inappropriate material, and what did you do?
- Has anyone attempted to communicate with you in an uncomfortable manner, and what did you do?
FILTERS (PC)
NetNanny, McAfee Safe Eyes, PureSite, CyberSitter, CyberPatrol
What to look for:
• Password protection – don’t let your kids install it
• Log of sites visited
• Customization – you can add sites, decide what categories are blocked, what words, etc.
FILTERS (iPad, iphone)
Mobicip – limited or premium, allows customization