Internet Safety: What To Know and How To Help (Statistics, Education, and Resources For Teachers)
Today, more than ever, 95% of teenagers are connected to the Internet almost daily.
Internet safety doesn't mean blocking websites or limiting the school's Internet. It's not about constantly looking out for every move a student makes on the Internet, banning social media sites like Facebook or Twitter, or doing Internet "time-outs" at school. While these rules can keep students "safe" to some extent, they don't fully protect a student from the real dangers and risks the Internet comes with.
Common Internet Attacks On Students
While the Internet is an excellent and necessary tool for students, there's no doubt it also comes with risks and dangers. More than 33% of students in the US have experienced cyberbullying at one point in their school life, and over 5% have been victims of sextortion. As a result, students affected by the Internet and online attacks are more likely to develop depression, anxiety, ADHD, and decreased academic success.
Here are other examples of common internet attacks students may face:
- Physing
- Cyberbullying
- Privacy invasion
- Malware
- Spams
- Sextortion
- Online predators
- Grooming
Schools can also be victims of internet attacks. It's way more common than you think. Earlier this year, the biggest school district in Iowa had to cancel classes for a day because of an internet attack on their computer system. Around the same time, Tucson Unified School District in southern Arizona, the largest pre-K-12 school district, also faced a ransomware attack that prevented teachers and staff from accessing any of their digital materials.
Ways To Reinforce Internet Safety On Students
According to the National Cybersecurity Alliance, here are three ways to do so:
1. Teach students about online privacy
Kids these days often know better than to share passwords or their addresses online. However, there are new threats that they may not understand. Take the time to talk with your students about how their favorite sites and apps store their information. Do they know that Snapchat, for example, keeps messages on a server for 30 days?
2. Blocking sites won't fix everything
It's a good idea to block risky sites at school, but that won't stop students from trying to access them. Talk about why the sites are blocked, and educate the students on better internet use. The more knowledge they have, the less vulnerable to risk they'll be.
3. Create an effective cyberbullying system
"Cyberbullying is a common problem that nearly every school is dealing with," says educational expert Janet Moran from Elite Assignment Help. "You need to be able to support your students when it happens and educate them on the correct way to use the Internet. Create a good reporting system that students and parents can use to report cyberbullying, and follow through on any reports you get."
Information from National Cybersecurity Alliance.
More Resources
Students, teachers, staff, and families can all learn about online safety. There are three sources of information you can use:
The "Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign" by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers a national awareness campaign with videos, a toolkit, and blogs to help you understand cyber threats and be safer online.
The "Be Internet Awesome" by Google helps minors stay safe online. It teaches kids the main points of being Internet safe. It provides teachers, parents, and schools with resources such as printable lesson plans, Internet talks with parents, and fundamental information for students and teachers.
The "NetSmartz® Workshop" by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children® (NCMEC) provides parents, educators, and law enforcement resources. Its goal is to educate, engage, and empower children to recognize internet threats, talk to adults about risks, protect themselves, and report any issues to adults.
With these strategies, you can support, improve, and help students stay safe on the Internet. These resources are meant to be used and put into practice to prevent Internet attacks and keep a safe online environment.
By Denia Villegas
