Internet Safety!

My Opinion on internet safety:

I think that the internet is an amazing tool. Amazing in both good and bad ways. It can be used for so much good, and so much can be learned/taught using it. On the flip side it can take people’s identities, ruin families, and cause addictions. In spite of the dangers associated with the internet I think there is no reason to be afraid if we are properly educated about how to use it. Not all scammers, inappropriate material, and viruses can be prevented—I think there will always be a risk involved with using the internet. But most of those problems can be avoided by an informed user.

Changes I Will Make:

From now on I will be more careful to make sure that the website name matches up with the URL heading. I did not know that some scam are based around creating clone websites with different names in order to steal your information. I will also be more careful about what kind of links I will click on. I will likely stick to the major websites that I know are safe.

Application to Those I Will Teach:

Young children, in my opinion, are the most at risk for problems related to the internet. This generation of young people use technology for so much, whether it be for leisure, assignments, work, etc . Kids are curious. They want to know what the pop up add is about. They want to find out why that sight claims to have I-pods for only 10 bucks. In teaching it will be very important to make sure that my students are educated on the potential risks involved with internet use, and how to reduce those risks.

Teaching Experience:

I taught my wife about internet safety. Soon we will be parents faced with similar concerns about our children’s internet use. My wife listened intently for about a minute and then it became more of a discussion that a traditional teaching. We talked mostly talked about what to do to avoid scams or inappropriate material. I mentioned what one of the Google sponsored safety videos said concerning safety. Much of it was similar to what church leaders have been saying for years. “Keep your computer in an open area where others can see what’s going on. Monitor the sites your children are using. Use them yourself to screen the material they are surrounded by” and so on.