A “safe” Internet environment includes many considerations:

• Are children protected from inappropriate content or inappropriate contact?
• Is cyberbullying occurring?
• Is personal information protected by good password systems?
• Do all users know what should not go on public sites like Facebook?
• Do all users know rules about not giving up personal information when solicited?
• Is the computer protected from viruses? Is data backed up?

Resources Created by e-Vermont Partners

• The Vermont State Colleges presented a webinar on the basics of Internet Safety for Parents in March, 2011, that gives a good introduction to basic concerns.
• e-Vermont partner Digital Wish begins all of its classroom units with “Digital Citizenship.” Follow their blog School Modernization Initiative as they post information and resources for educators.

Recommended Links

Below are recommended links for learning more about Internet Safety:

• Technicool (Prevent Child Abuse VT) http://www.technicoolvt.org/
• VT Internet Safety Project http://vtisp.org/
• VT Info Security http://itsecurity.vermont.gov/
• OnGuard Online http://onguardonline.gov/
• iKeepSafe http://www.ikeepsafe.org/
• NetSmartz http://www.netsmartz.org
• FBI’s Safe Online Surfing https://sos.fbi.gov/
• FTC Spam Guide (common scams) http://www.ftc.gov/spam/
• Cyberbullying http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/
• Internet Crime Complaint Center http://www.ic3.gov/