The "Sleaze Factors" of (1) plagiarism, (2) ethics and safety issues, and (3) pornography are quite literally eliminating the internet as an educational tool for schools. I dealt with plagiarism in a different article, and I will deal with pornography in another. This article will deal with the concerns schools and parents must face related to ethics and safety with respect to our students. The number of ways this is touching our children's lives is growing exponentially (maybe a future math lesson), and schools simply can't keep up.
Ethics And Safety Issues: A "Sleaze Factor" Ruining The Educational Value Of The Internet:
The safety issues surrounding the internet have been known and talked about for a very long time now. We all are pretty well-informed about on-line predators stalking our children; and this issue is usually more of a home issue than a school issue. Television networks have done show after show where they have "set-up" some of these online predators and we have seen over and over their typical mode of operation. These same programs have offered suggestions for ways to know what your kids are doing online and ways of knowing to whom they are speaking or texting.
There is a great deal of software available now to allow you to track your children, know who they are calling or texting, and see what pictures they are receiving and sending. (Teens tend to do these at school.) Many teens get livid about privacy issues, but as long as they are under your roof and you are responsible for everything they do, safety outweighs privacy. If you are having any problems in this area, notify your school and teachers. They may be able to help, and at the very least, it may help them understand what may have become behavioral issues at school.
A few things that experts keep suggesting, but too many parents are still not doing:
(1) Never allow a computer in a student's room--you cannot know what they are doing until after the fact. Prevention beats correction!
(2) Place the computer in a high traffic area, not a dark corner. Your goal is for your child to never know when someone will walk by. (Don't allow computer use until an adult is home.)
(3) Have the computer screen facing out at all times. Check on your child frequently. Know what sites they are visiting right now--not just on the report you read later.
There is much more information online about safety issues, so if you haven't already done so; educate yourself.
The ethical issues surrounding the internet are growing rapidly and in ways we never imagined:
(1) Cyber-bullying is not a new topic, but it is one that must be continually discussed. Even young children are posting questions like "Who is the cutest boy?" or "Who bothers you the most?" on school sites that teachers create just for their own classes so that the students will be safe. Certainly that teacher will remove these questions and any responses, but children must have reinforced for them every day--maybe several times a day--that these questions can lead to unwanted and serious complications.
We have young children committing suicide because of the mean things other children often say. It was bad enough when students were passing bad notes in class about someone, but now we have even worse things being said online. Young children do not understand that the internet is not private--it is not just between a few friends. They also do not realize that what they write is there forever. These concepts must be reinforced and reinforced and reinforced. They need to develop a "Do no harm" attitude.
(2) Ethical issues are becoming more of a problem every day. This may include plagiarism. (Does your child know what that means and that it is illegal?) It may include privacy issues--like posting someone else's picture without their permission. Worst of all, it may include issues of inappropriate personal issues. More and more students are posting pictures of themselves doing very inappropriate behaviors. Sometimes they are "just emailing to a friend" but the "friend" posts it to the internet. Regardless of who posted it, it is now there for the entire world to see and it is there forever! Children of all ages need help to understand that they have no control over the internet.
Sadly, there is a growing problem with ethical issues related to teens and teachers. This new generation of teachers that has grown up with the internet seem oblivious to the fact that if they post a picture of themselves drunk on the internet, they will likely be fired. They also believe their students will never see it. NOT TRUE! If you overhear your child discussing such a thing, report it to the school. Also be aware that teens are very fond of taking inappropriate pictures of themselves, or other students, or even teachers and posting them, again without permission. To all young teachers, pay attention to this!
The legal issues surrounding the internet are often vague--but not to schools. If is inappropriate, the involved people will be dealt with harshly. Faculty members fired, students suspended or expelled. These issues must be discussed and discussed frequently--by both parents and teachers!
Ethics And Safety Issues: A "Sleaze Factor" Ruining The Educational Value Of The Internet:
The safety issues surrounding the internet have been known and talked about for a very long time now. We all are pretty well-informed about on-line predators stalking our children; and this issue is usually more of a home issue than a school issue. Television networks have done show after show where they have "set-up" some of these online predators and we have seen over and over their typical mode of operation. These same programs have offered suggestions for ways to know what your kids are doing online and ways of knowing to whom they are speaking or texting.
There is a great deal of software available now to allow you to track your children, know who they are calling or texting, and see what pictures they are receiving and sending. (Teens tend to do these at school.) Many teens get livid about privacy issues, but as long as they are under your roof and you are responsible for everything they do, safety outweighs privacy. If you are having any problems in this area, notify your school and teachers. They may be able to help, and at the very least, it may help them understand what may have become behavioral issues at school.
A few things that experts keep suggesting, but too many parents are still not doing:
(1) Never allow a computer in a student's room--you cannot know what they are doing until after the fact. Prevention beats correction!
(2) Place the computer in a high traffic area, not a dark corner. Your goal is for your child to never know when someone will walk by. (Don't allow computer use until an adult is home.)
(3) Have the computer screen facing out at all times. Check on your child frequently. Know what sites they are visiting right now--not just on the report you read later.
There is much more information online about safety issues, so if you haven't already done so; educate yourself.
The ethical issues surrounding the internet are growing rapidly and in ways we never imagined:
(1) Cyber-bullying is not a new topic, but it is one that must be continually discussed. Even young children are posting questions like "Who is the cutest boy?" or "Who bothers you the most?" on school sites that teachers create just for their own classes so that the students will be safe. Certainly that teacher will remove these questions and any responses, but children must have reinforced for them every day--maybe several times a day--that these questions can lead to unwanted and serious complications.
We have young children committing suicide because of the mean things other children often say. It was bad enough when students were passing bad notes in class about someone, but now we have even worse things being said online. Young children do not understand that the internet is not private--it is not just between a few friends. They also do not realize that what they write is there forever. These concepts must be reinforced and reinforced and reinforced. They need to develop a "Do no harm" attitude.
(2) Ethical issues are becoming more of a problem every day. This may include plagiarism. (Does your child know what that means and that it is illegal?) It may include privacy issues--like posting someone else's picture without their permission. Worst of all, it may include issues of inappropriate personal issues. More and more students are posting pictures of themselves doing very inappropriate behaviors. Sometimes they are "just emailing to a friend" but the "friend" posts it to the internet. Regardless of who posted it, it is now there for the entire world to see and it is there forever! Children of all ages need help to understand that they have no control over the internet.
Sadly, there is a growing problem with ethical issues related to teens and teachers. This new generation of teachers that has grown up with the internet seem oblivious to the fact that if they post a picture of themselves drunk on the internet, they will likely be fired. They also believe their students will never see it. NOT TRUE! If you overhear your child discussing such a thing, report it to the school. Also be aware that teens are very fond of taking inappropriate pictures of themselves, or other students, or even teachers and posting them, again without permission. To all young teachers, pay attention to this!
The legal issues surrounding the internet are often vague--but not to schools. If is inappropriate, the involved people will be dealt with harshly. Faculty members fired, students suspended or expelled. These issues must be discussed and discussed frequently--by both parents and teachers!
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