Ad4dcss/Digital Citizenship

Video and information for parents and educators on safety, settings and lots more.

3rd in the Cybercop Series. MIRROR IMAGE tells the story of teenagers Sheena and Megan, best friends who are victimized by a criminal who uses the Internet to lure young women with promises of modeling contracts and online romance. Neither of the girls realizes that hacking software has been placed on their computers during their conversations with their 'online boyfriends.' Soon Sheena and Megan begin to suspect that someone is stalking them in real life. Players work with a detective to track the predator and arrest him. Available both as a home edition and a school edition. [Windows and Mac OSX versions available]

Cute cybersafety video with a singing sock puppet. Would be appropriate for elementary grades.

How to handle cyberbullying

Presentation at the K-12HSN Conference Online by Joseph Bires. A discussion of how the use of Web 2.0 technologies has challenged and changed the concept of acceptable use. The presenter suggests ways to balance protecting students, teachers, and schools from the dangers of the Internet, while still integrating Web 2.0 technologies into the K-12 curriculum. Also, philosophical issues of acceptable use are discussed such as identity and transparency. Finally, practical suggestions are shared to help every teacher and administrator. This talk is available as an MP3 audio file and an audiofile blog.

The Cecil County Public Schools in Cecil County MD have produced this somber PSA (available in Quicktime or Windows Media Player versions) warning students of the dangers of posting too much personal information online.

This new series of four PSA's from Netsmartz target different audiences, including parents, teens and young kids.

Yahoo Safely collection of Internet Safety videos in partnership with IKeepSafe.org. Educators will particularly appreciate the free Tim & Moby clips from Brainpop as a way to present and discuss Internet Safety.

Safe Schools is a California state-wide agency that provides training for a wide range of school issues including environmental, transportation, health, behavioral [drugs, violence and victimization] and human resources.

As a guest columnist, Dr. Todd Curtis offers 10 tips for helping kids avoid online porn.

ToonDoo is a create-your-own Comic Strip tool. This comic strip was created by a student on the topic of cyberbullying.

We can do so much with what kids are excited about. So many opportunities to bring learning into what they are doing, what they want to be doing, where they are and want to spend their time.

Notes from presenter Joel Gabel of Google's workshop for the Oklahoma Library Association meeting [12 May 2008] on "Safety on the Internet Highway."

By mandating schools restrict internet access, CIPA and other federal and state legislation intend to guard students' safety online-but all they may be doing is keeping vital educational technology out of the classroom. No one disputes the need to protect kids from the harm that lurks online. What's at issue is whether or not mandated internet filters are the best way to achieve those safeguards-or whether the filters aren't up to the task and are actually interfering with the educational mission by obstructing use of important Web 2.0 tools.

The Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) is made up of police forces from around the world working together to fight online child abuse. Check out their PSA, "Think You Know Who You are Talking To?"

Cyberbullying resulting in 12 year old suicide

This 10th grade student has written an exceptional post-project reflection. I hope you'll take time to read it. Here is an excerpt:\n\n"There is no doubt that this technology is dangerous. It is apparent that few people, not adults, not teenagers, truly understand how collaboration, conduct, and manners affect the internet. This project has to teach others that as well. It is necessary to know how to handle yourself on the internet. That's why Horizon Project is so important. We have to educate tomorrow's leaders how to use new technology without abusing it. The highlight of this project is the education we are giving every single person who has been a part of the Horizon Project."

An excellent post about how doing global collaborative projects can educate students on the safety they need. This is from a 10th grader.

Bulletin Board video - "Once you post your image online - you can't take it back"

PSA designed to spread awareness about cyberbullying.