Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Internet Safety


by EnglishArticle .info


Internet safety entails the guidelines and procedures implemented in public and private settings to protect the well-being of Internet users. Specific Internet safety measures include laws prohibiting illicit activity online and protecting children’s privacy; acceptable use policies that stipulate rules for children to access the Internet in schools; family guidelines and parental supervision; instruction in Internet literacy; and implementation of browser access controls and software to filter, block, and monitor children’s access to certain sites. As an educational tool, the Internet offers access to extensive resources and information; however, the speed and openness of this media necessitates awareness and intervention to promote safety and well-being.

Although many presume that a child who is linked to the Internet is safe under the protective refuge of his school or home, the potential risks online are comparable to the dangers noted in any expansive environment. The risks include exposure to hate, violence, misinformation, consumer exploitation, and sexual predators. Nonetheless, the Internet provides an extraordinary opportunity for enriching teaching and learning. Internet safety encompasses those initiatives that mediate the online experiences that are disadvantageous to a child’s physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional functioning.

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