The Internet Your CHILD’S Friend…or FOE? *Handouts available for further information

The World awaits... on the World Wide Web---but children need guidance to navigate this powerful tool. To be safe and successful, kids need: education--what it is guidance--how it is to be used reasons--to avoid certain sites and situations PARENTS are the KEY!

Digital Divide? If you don’t have a computer or Internet connection at home, many libraries, colleges, and cyber-cafes offer equipment for public use. Many provide Web pages with recommended sites and offer classes for children and adults. Some schools and community centers offer special programs for parents to learn about the Internet and what it offers children. CCS is teaching your child some things about the internet in library, technology, & homerooms. We need your help!

Teach ‘em to SWIM! "Swimming pools can be dangerous for children. To protect them, one can install locks, put up fences, and deploy pool alarms. All these measures are helpful, but by far the most important thing that one can do for one's children is to teach them to swim." Similarly, children taught to use the Internet wisely and effectively will be more capable of traversing the Internet than those relying solely on technology. National Research Council report ( 2002)

Internet Toolkit Tips for Parents n n Learn about the Internet and how it works. The Internet has search engines designed for children that lead to sites selected especially for kids. n n Set rules and instill values. Until children are taught how to use the Internet properly, it would be best if their Internet use were supervised by a responsible adult or guided by for-children Web pages

Tips for a positive experience Teach your children to value privacy—theirs and yours. Do not share personal information with strangers. Teach your children values and guidelines to use in selecting what they read and view. It's up to you to let your children know what subjects and Web sites are off limits and to explain why.

Help for the Web from the Web  s/toolscontracts.php  An example of how to set rules and values: GetNetWise's "Make an Internet Use Agreement with Your Child" ( s/toolscontracts.php).* s/toolscontracts.phphttp:// s/toolscontracts.php  people/children  Online safety rules and suggestions: "Especially for Children and their Parents" at people/children. This page includes links to and great sites for parents and kids. * people/children people/children

Librarians offer help…ASK a Professional! “ The Internet offers kids many opportunities for learning, constructive entertainment, and personal growth…the challenge…to learn how to use the internet safely.” ©2004 American Library Association. n A cybercollection of links to Web sites for fun and learning. Recommended and organized by topic by children’s librarians. Sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.

SAFE places to search Child-Friendly search engines: 4 Ask Jeeves for Kids 4 Awesome Library 4 Education World 4 Family Friendly Search 4 Fact Monster 4 KidsClick! 4 Kids Search Engines 4 Kids search tools 4 Lycoszone for Kids 4 SearchEdu.com 4 Teach-nology.com 4 Yahooligans!

Be Wise! Know what they’re doing & viewing The internet is here to stay è to help your child think, develop and learn è to help with research and homework è for fun, games, and recreation è for communication and interaction è for business and commerce You will determine how they use it!