Today our Principals were invited to attend a session taken by Robert Minahan – School Education Manager for Netsafe: The Internet Safety Group, the Ministry of Education’s agent for cybersafety and online security for NZ schools. 'Stand-outs' for me were:
As teachers/parents we should look out for:
- Chatrooms – MSN Groups eg Rate Girls – girls are including a lot of personal information, including photos.
- WARNING: If you see these on your child’s MSN screen: POS (parent over shoulder); TOS (teacher on scene) then you’d better have a look at the conversation that was going on before you got there!
- Growing interest of teenagers in: myspace.com / bebo.com: bebo includes all schools in
- COMING SOON: (currently beta) imbee.com – blogging and social networking for kids ages 8 - 14!
- Grand Theft Auto: R18 but many kids using it. Can download many ‘extras’ like ‘Hot Coffee’ – uncensored dating. Includes rape scenes.
- Beyond normal curiosity: Pro ana websites: anorexia and self-harm – support and encouragement for our teens to continue with this lifestyle choice.
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- Cybertechnologies which can interact with cypberspace: PDA’s, iPods – show movies etc as well; cameras; data storage – easy to upload/download information eg programs / viruses – size makes it easy; memory card from camera will also store text etc; cell phones with pictures.
You should have:
- Policies and procedures
- Use agreements – signed usage agreements are essential for students, ALL staff, student teachers – you can develop your own or use those available from NetSafe (recommended)
- Electronic security (filtering software)
- Community education (staff, parents, students)
NetSafe Kit for Schools (2003) should be in your school. If you have mislaid yours, you can download from www.netsafe.org.nz . While you’re there check out the section for primary school children Hectors World – see the wicked wee educational movies they have developed for little people at http://www.hectorsworld.com/
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