Inappropriate Content Defined
The topic of Inappropriate Content can be broad and confusing. While some people might engage in the debate of what "inappropriate content" actually is, I will choose a family-friendly and educationally-oriented definition. Inappropriate Content then is anything that is not suitable for children, including any materials, photographs or videos that would be illegal for children to access according to local and/or federal laws. If there is any material that is geared towards an age-specific range (i.e. teens) or a Mature Audience, then the proper warnings and gateways should be implemented to discourage unintended exposure to minors. Inappropriate Content can also include invasions of privacy, such as public postings of someone's private journal entries or photographs. It can also be intentionally inaccurate depictions of a person or organization with the goal of misrepresenting them in an effort to garner a negative public opinion of the victim(s). Inappropriate Content may also be the answers to exams and quizzes or papers and essays intended to be used for plagiaristic enterprises.
Tips For Parents
Parents are the frontline soldiers in the war against online predators and the foremost moderators of their childrens' exposure to online content. Here are some tips to help parents stay aware of and maintain control over their childrens' internet-related activities.
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Tips For Students
Students need to be aware of not only the ramifications of their actions towards others, but the legal consequences they themselves might face if guilty of creating inappropriate content, or accessing inappropriate content online. Below are some examples of what to avoid, including placing limitations on personal information that you release onto the internet.
1. Cyberbullying
- Cyberbullying is one of the fastest rising forms of internet abuse. Many young students have been reporting that they are victims of cyberbullying, either through the use of doctored pictures, private and explicit photographs being forwarded through friends, or simply name-calling and putting someone down with profane terms in a public forum such as a Facebook or Myspace page. As a young internet user, you must be aware that all of these actions are not only unfair and hurtful, but may cause serious emotional and psychological harm to the victim(s). Increasingly, more and more laws are being passed to protect people from this harmful treatment and perpetrators will be facing stricter consequences. |
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2. Giving Out Too Much Information
- Be protective of your personal information. You never know who is looking at your webpage, reading your personal info, either through hacking your page or while sitting next to a trusted friend who may be showing off how awesome they think you are. Tweeting about your family vacation is fine, only try to avoid giving exact dates and revealing that your home will be empty. Limit your online friends to a few people who you can really trust and when they prove unworthy of your trust, remove them from your site. Having 500+ "friends" is not worth your peace of mind. All it takes is ONE PERSON with bad intentions to hurt you and your loved ones in a way you may never have imagined. |
3. Know When to Say When
- Set limits for yourself, and especially for others who interact with you. When someone is attempting to get information from you or convince you that they know you, know when to walk away from the encounter. If in a chat room or on instant messaging, when someone you are unfamiliar with contacts you or asks for personal information, end the conversation as quickly as possible. When you don't recognize someone right away, they most likely are not who they claim to be or were not such a "good friend" that they have to be a part of your online community. The internet can be very entertaining and educational, but it can also be dangerous and open you up to vulnerability. |
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Tips For Educators
Teachers, Administrators and other school staff members need to be aware of the precarious nature of their positions. While charged with the instruction and safety of their students, in man cases those very same students spend a lot of time outside of school and away from adult supervision. Without the involvement of parents, educators can only do so much and yet they are still expected to produce students who are well-informed, disciplined and eager to succeed. The following section contains some tips for educators on what to teach students and also what to do when something may go wrong.
1. Enhance Your Role as an Educator
-Along with parents, teachers are the community's best defense against raising a new generation of technology abusers. By teaching children the importance of internet safety and citizenship, teachers can help ensure that their students have good ethics regarding technology. Considering the broad range of uses that computer and internet technology offer, the lessons taught about Digital Citizenship go hand-in-hand with issues of self-esteem, citizenship (in general), discipline, moral conduct and ethical responsibility. Everything from cyber-bullying to plagiarism to self-identity can be covered under the umbrella of Internet Safety and Conduct. |
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The Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship can be used as a basis for a short course in how to conduct oneself online and in the use of general technology both in the community and in private applications. By meeting these issues head on, teachers can reinforce what students are learning at home regarding their internet and technology use (and in some cases may be the only guidance some students are getting).
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2. Protect Yourself: Be Aware of Possible Misconduct by Students
- Unfortunately, while teachers may be a subject of admiration and a source of inspiration for many students, sometimes students can make a teacher a target for their frustrations. The video to the right shows what one teacher did when two of her students effectively stole her identity and created a webpage posing as her, invited other students to the page and made derogatory comments about the students. The teacher sought help from the school's administration and legal staff and with the help of cooperating students was able to expose the situation and seek legal action. Note that in this case, the teacher did not give out any technological artifacts such as pictures or personal information; the students in question used her name and acquired her picture from the school's website. This was an extreme case of inappropriate content/use of technology, and very easy to accomplish. |
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3. Limit Online Contact With Students
- Mostly for newer, younger teachers, this tip is to caution educators from sharing their personal webpages with students. If you want to allow students this level of access to you, such as "friending" you on Facebook, create a page that is more professional than personal and allow the students to join that rather than the same one shared with friends and family. In this way, you can prevent personal information from being spread, educational material can be featured and there is no blurring of boundaries between student and teacher. As noted in this video clip to the left, some teachers use social media to communicate classroom lessons. Always keep in mind that "inappropriate content" is subject to the perception of others, not only yourself. |
Resources:
http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents
http://www.labnol.org/internet/how-parents-can-protect-kids-from-adult-content/9267/
http://healthnewsdigest.com/news/Guest_Columnist_710/Avoid_the_Predator_in_Your_Kid_s_Pocket_printer.shtml
http://www.netsmartzkids.org/
http://www.netsmartz.org/Teens
http://www.netsmartz.org/Educators
http://www.cyberwellness.org.sg/knowledge
http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents
http://www.labnol.org/internet/how-parents-can-protect-kids-from-adult-content/9267/
http://healthnewsdigest.com/news/Guest_Columnist_710/Avoid_the_Predator_in_Your_Kid_s_Pocket_printer.shtml
http://www.netsmartzkids.org/
http://www.netsmartz.org/Teens
http://www.netsmartz.org/Educators
http://www.cyberwellness.org.sg/knowledge