INTERNET GUIDE

FOR PARENTS

The Internet is a vast network of computers that are all connected to each other.  Regardless of the method you use to connect to the Internet, once you're online, you and your computer become a part of that network.  There is information on every imaginable topic.  There are very reliable sites that contain information which is true and accurate.  There are sites that are just pure nonsense.  Be a wary consumer of the Internet.  Below are tips and websites that can assist you in becoming an informed "surfer." 

 

  • Get to know the services your children use.  You need to be as familiar as your children are with the available resources.

  • Encourage your children to tell you if they encounter something that makes them uncomfortable.  If you or your children receive a message that you find objectionable, forward a copy of the message to your service provider and ask for assistance.

  • Remember everything you read online may not be true.  An offer that is "too good to be true" probably is.  Be careful about sending personal information over the Internet.

  • Set reasonable rules and guidelines for computer use by your children.  Excessive use of the online services may indicate a problem.

  • Be sure to make this a family activity.  Consider keeping the computer in a family room so that it is easier to oversee.

  • Pay attention to the games your older children may download.  Some are violent or of a sexual nature.

  • Most major Internet Service Providers have a parental control feature written into their software which parents should activate to ensure children view just what you want them to view.  AOL and MSN are examples.

  • For Internet filter software - Get Netwise http://kids.getnetwise.org/tools/

Resources for Parents:
 

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New!! Bullying: From the Schoolyard to Cyberspace
Cyber bullying: help with how to handle these disturbing situations.
http://www.staysafe.org  Other sites related to Bullying: www.bullying.org , www.tolerance.org , www.csriu.org/cyberbully
 
What Parents Need to Know - Designed to provide parents with timely and relevant information related to children’s digital media safety these interactive units provide in-depth, practical and "how to" information. Learn about social networking (myspace), cell phones, internet gaming, filtering.
http://www.powertolearn.com/internet_smarts/parents_need_to_know/index.shtml
 
Guide to Cyberspace for Parents and Kids - American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites/guide.html
 
Safekids.com - lots of tips for parents about safe websites for kids
http://safekids.com
 
The Parent's Guide to the Information Super-Highway
http://www.childrenspartnership.org/
 

Great websites have these attributes:

  • The purpose is clear.  The source is verifiable.

  • The content encourages exploration and thinking.  It is appealing to and suitable to the age level of the child for whom it is designed.

  • It is free of racial, gender and other biases which are inappropriate for children.

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DISCLAIMER
Sometimes publishers of books include references to websites for additional information topics.  Many websites allow advertising that changes periodically and, consequently, there is not way to monitor or control the material on the sites.  As some of the material may be inappropriate for young students, we strongly suggest to parents that they are always present with their children when the children use the Internet, even if they access websites that are referenced by library books.

Some Commack School District Webpages have links to other websites.  These external Web addresses contain information created, published, maintained or otherwise posted by institutions or organizations independent of Commack UFSD.  Commack UFSD does not endorse, approve, certify or control these external Web pages and does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, timeliness or correct sequencing of information located at such addresses. Use of any information obtained from such addresses is voluntary, and reliance on it should be taken only be undertaken after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, efficacy and timeliness.