introducing the topic of online safety

As an introduction to the concept of safety online, it would be a good idea to begin with an overview of the Internet. This process could include an introductory discussion using some of the questions suggested below to provoke conversations and sharing of personal experiences amongst the students.

Students discuss their ideas and explanations to the following questions:

- What is the Internet?

- How many students have the Internet in their homes?

- What equipment and services do you need to surf the Internet?

- What is the Internet used for? (For example: Communication, information sharing and gathering, selling products and services etc.)

- Who puts information onto the Internet? (For example: Librarians, city councils, clubs, children and adults)

- What websites do students enjoy using?

- What rules do students' families have about using the Internet? (For example: How many hours are students allowed to surf at home? What websites are they allowed to visit? This topic may be compared to television watching.)

- Why do parents put rules on some television watching and Internet viewing?

From here students should be ready to carry out the online quiz. (if there are limited computers in the classroom, the teacher can read the points out to students or write them onto a board as it is not necessary for all individuals to be using their own computer.)

The answers to quiz questions can be shared at the end of each question or at the end of the quiz. Students could also be encouraged to show their parents and friends the Cyberkids website at home or at their local library.

Make sure the children learn to answer the questions correctly and that you print off their Safety Certificate for them to take home!