Internet Privacy and Security
Internet privacy and security are closely linked. Rules that are important for schools are also important for parents and guardians to be aware of. It is recognized that along with the vast contribution to the access of knowledge and communication the Internet has made possible, there is a down side to its use. The question is just how safe is it to go online. For adults it is of great concern, but it is of even more serious concern for children and adolescents. Schools have taken many precautions to protect their students from predators who would prey upon these young people. There are written policies and procedures in place in every school district to instruct students in appropriate network behavior.
The lists that are created and distributed are frequently called the “students will not” lists and include such items as rules not to reveal personal information about themselves or others, not to meet with anyone as a result of online contacts, not to bully others online, not to disrupt the network systems, not to violate copyright laws, and other rules that can be found at sites, such as www.net-security.org, www.netparents.org, and www.safesurf.com.
Internet privacy is another major concern for schools, as well as for parents and guardians. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is federal legislation that addresses this problem. An overview of the act can be found at the Legal Information Institution of Cornell University Law School’s site, http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/15/6501.html. Tips for protecting children’s privacy in keeping with COPPA are relevant for both teachers and parents or guardians. Five tips are listed with the fifth having nine subheadings on the Children’s Online Privacy site at http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs21-children.htm. Each tip has explanatory information for implementation of it. An example of the tips is #3. Look for the web seal. Look for the privacy “seal of approval” on the first page, such as that of TRUSTe displays a seal especially for children for children under age 13.
Many school districts have posted their Internet Privacy policies online. One such is that of the Clarke County Public Schools School Board, Clarke County, Virginia, and can be accessed at http://clarke.k.12.va.us/Information/Policy/Internet_Privacy.pdf.
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2 comments:
Greetings, fellow classmates.
There is, indeed, much danger involved for students who access the internet without regard for such risk. It is important that the student be made aware of the potential dangers of disclosing personal information and the obligation of responsibly accessing the internet. It is important that they be informed of the reason for the rules.
Schools and staff are responsible for training the children, setting up barriers to possible dangers, and monitoring, as possible, but ultimately, because of the nature of the privilege and access to the internet, the student then must, to some degree, be expected to self regulate his behavior.
To encourage and motivate compliance with the internet privacy and security procedures, there should be clearly defined consequences. Most importantly, the potential for danger, as it directly impacts the student, his family and school, should be stressed as the key reason for such security policies with both the student and their families. Having the coordinated effort from involved families to reinforce such security measures is paramount.
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