Student Planner 2013-14 - Pinkerton Academy

Internet SafetyFor Parents and Students, an equal responsibilityImagine you or your teen driving on 93 South into Boston without any kind of driving instruction? It is highly unlikely youwould allow your teen to face the dangers that are inevitable without teaching the mechanics of driving and the written andunwritten rules of maneuvering through traffic. Consider the same dangers your teen is exposed to every time they cruisethe Internet.Research indicates that 87% of American youth between the ages of 12-17 go online daily, engaging in many activitiessuch as schoolwork, shopping, online gaming, downloading videos and music, accessing chat rooms, and communicatingwith peers. Over 55% of teens use social networking sites such as MySpace or Facebook. Just as we spend hourspracticing with our children in preparation for their driver’s license, we must spend equal time teaching our teens how tocommunicate appropriately on the Internet.It is important to remember that what is written on the Internet remains permanent in some locations. Even though wemay delete something on a personal computer, if the information has been posted through the Internet, there will alwaysbe a permanent record in someone’s possession. This becomes complicated when our teens post inappropriate photos orwords through any social website including MySpace or Facebook, even if their personal profile is private. There is a highprobability that one or more of their “friends” does not have a private profile. This is equally of concern when our teens joina networking “group” that may be controversial or offensive in nature. It is well known that colleges/employers search theInternet to seek information about potential students/employees.Prohibiting access to, and activity within, social websites may deny our teens what many developmental psychologistshave long documented as an important stage of life: social identity. Appropriate social skills develop with positive adultguidance and interaction, along with appropriate peer interaction and peer acceptance. Social networking websites providea forum for teens to express themselves and communicate with others while developing their own identity.There are several proactive steps parents can take to guide teens toward appropriate Internet safety and use.Computers should be located in the family area, not in isolation, such as the teen’s bedroom.Limit computer time usage and designate appropriate time block: i.e., computer time after homework is completedand/or no use after certain hours in the late evening.Take time to learn about MySpace and Facebook and monitor your teen’s activity. Spend time navigating the sitesso you can understand the depth of information that is available to your teen as well as the expanse and vulnerabilityof public access that teen’s profile may reveal.Ensure that your teen’s profile is private and be knowledgeable about the network’s privacy settings.Review with your teen what information should be kept private within social networking sites as well as IM and emailvenues. Internet communication should never occur with someone you don’t know.Research the concept of blocking certain activities on your computer.Inquire within the school as to what sites are blocked and talk to your teen about respecting the rules both at schooland at home.Be attentive to the Internet activity in which teens are involved.Appendix