Student safety on the internet has become a topic of debated for governments, school districts and educational professionals around the globe. Adam Thierer comments that “debates about media policy and online safety are also riddled with paranoia and panic” (2012). But, do we really need to be in a state of panic? According to the Consortium for School Networking, schools are encountering more and more challenges with safety and access because of “Web 2.0 applications and mobile Internet devices” (2011a). Policies need to be developed by educational professionals that will protect our students from negative aspects of Web 2.0 applications, social media and the internet. Once the policies are developed, then governments and school districts can implement the policies. But, we cannot get too wrapped up in creating policies that could potentially limit the effectiveness of the Web 2.0 applications, social media and the internet as learning tools. As social media is in always in a state change, policies will also need to be updated and the process for communicating the changes will need to be implemented.
I would like to play a role in drafting policy and procedures related to effective Web 2.0 applications and mobile Internet device use in public education. This would allow educators and students the ability to use Web 2.0 applications and mobile internet devices within schools as a way to enhance the learning potential of all students. I believe the right way to balance student safety and student access to resources on the internet (CoSN, 2011a) is to develop curriculum that teaches students at an early age how to keep safe while accessing resources on the internet. Additionally, governments need to invest money in computer programming companies that could develop filtering software to restrict the incoming and outgoing content. The Consortium for School Networking points out that “many school districts allow social networking that has been devised for schools and includes protections in the form of restricted access, filters, or monitors—but block the most widespread social networking applications such as Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter” (2011a). Furthermore, government could force companies to put ratings on their websites, much like they do for movies. Then, school computers could be set-up so they would only go to website that are at or below the set rating. Google could possibly create a “Student Centered” search engine to help filter out inappropriate content. Parents also need to be part of the equation and set up their home computer so they are “Student Centered.” As the internet has great potential for learning, there is great risk associated with allowing our students to be online; “if everything is viewed as a risk, then nothing is a risk” (Thierer, 2012).
References:
Consortium for School Networking (CoSN). ( 2011a). Acceptable use policies in a web 2.0 & mobile era: A guide for school districts. Washington, DC. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED517922.pdf
Thierer, A. (2012) The six things that drive 'technopanics'. Forbes.com http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamthierer/2012/03/04/the-six-things-that-drive-technopanics/
I would like to play a role in drafting policy and procedures related to effective Web 2.0 applications and mobile Internet device use in public education. This would allow educators and students the ability to use Web 2.0 applications and mobile internet devices within schools as a way to enhance the learning potential of all students. I believe the right way to balance student safety and student access to resources on the internet (CoSN, 2011a) is to develop curriculum that teaches students at an early age how to keep safe while accessing resources on the internet. Additionally, governments need to invest money in computer programming companies that could develop filtering software to restrict the incoming and outgoing content. The Consortium for School Networking points out that “many school districts allow social networking that has been devised for schools and includes protections in the form of restricted access, filters, or monitors—but block the most widespread social networking applications such as Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter” (2011a). Furthermore, government could force companies to put ratings on their websites, much like they do for movies. Then, school computers could be set-up so they would only go to website that are at or below the set rating. Google could possibly create a “Student Centered” search engine to help filter out inappropriate content. Parents also need to be part of the equation and set up their home computer so they are “Student Centered.” As the internet has great potential for learning, there is great risk associated with allowing our students to be online; “if everything is viewed as a risk, then nothing is a risk” (Thierer, 2012).
References:
Consortium for School Networking (CoSN). ( 2011a). Acceptable use policies in a web 2.0 & mobile era: A guide for school districts. Washington, DC. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED517922.pdf
Thierer, A. (2012) The six things that drive 'technopanics'. Forbes.com http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamthierer/2012/03/04/the-six-things-that-drive-technopanics/