As long as I remember, surfing used to be an activity that was done in the ocean. The ocean can be very dangerous and a lot of things can happen when you are not careful. The Internet is exactly like the ocean. It is an ocean full of information and people. You can “surf” the Internet and find out just about anything or anybody and harmful things can happen when you are not cautious. It is for this reason I have chosen this topic for my newsletter article.
Most of the children today have more experience navigating the Internet than the adults. I don’t know about you but I am pretty clueless when it comes to using the computer and “surfing the Web.” What I do know is that our children are online daily giving information freely over the Internet posting pictures, personal information, comments etc. on FACEBOOK, Twitter, and MySpace just to name a few. What children don’t realize is that once information is posted on the Internet it’s gone; there’s no getting it back; and too many times this information is being used in inappropriate ways. Dateline, 20/20, and many other news reports have shared stories about children who have run into problems on the Web and many times their parents had no idea what was going on because they thought it was safe.
Most of the children today have more experience navigating the Internet than the adults. I don’t know about you but I am pretty clueless when it comes to using the computer and “surfing the Web.” What I do know is that our children are online daily giving information freely over the Internet posting pictures, personal information, comments etc. on FACEBOOK, Twitter, and MySpace just to name a few. What children don’t realize is that once information is posted on the Internet it’s gone; there’s no getting it back; and too many times this information is being used in inappropriate ways. Dateline, 20/20, and many other news reports have shared stories about children who have run into problems on the Web and many times their parents had no idea what was going on because they thought it was safe.
Do you have access to the Internet? Do you know where your child spends his/her time on the Web? Does your child have a FACEBOOK, MySpace, or other social network account? If you have answered yes to any of the questions above, I strongly encourage you to have conversations with your children and actively monitor their Internet use. It’s like going to the beach. Would you let your child swim alone in the ocean without a lifeguard on duty? Be that lifeguard. Make sure your child is safe while surfing the Internet. You never know what is out there!
Ms. Susan Hilsabeck
Assistant Principal
James Workman Middle School
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