Empowering Parents with Internet Safety Tools Fairhope Middle School School Year Jacquie DePalma

INTRO The Baldwin County Public School (BCPS) implemented it’s 1 to 1 initiative 5 years ago, which puts a computer in each student’s hands. BCPS is committed to helping students develop 21 st Century technology & communication skills. Each student in K-2 nd grade uses an IPAD and 3rd -12 th grade use a Chromebook.

Education Technology Department (ET) BCPS’s technology department, curriculum department & administration trains students & teachers on Internet Safety & Security, Ethics & Responsibility, and Digital Media & Information. The ET department has developed a comprehensive Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) which is updated as needed.

School Website The Fairhope Middle School’s website has information on Digital Citizenship, how to use a Chromebook, troubleshooting, Internet safety & parent support. We have a designated Digital Resource Support technician (DRS)which can address technical issues, safety, & digital citizenship on the spot for staff and students. The Staff has access to a Instructional Technical Coach for additional resources.

Link School & Home National attention on education & technology is intensifying. There is a need to invest not only in the classroom technology, but also in the appropriate use of technology that links the school & home learning environments. Understanding the appropriate use will enable parents to support their children's learning.

OBJECTIVES Parents will have a better understanding of how to use computer technology Parents will be better equipped to discuss Internet Safety behaviors Parents will be equipped to monitor children’s computer behaviors Parents will be able to set limits and rules for Internet Safety

Equipping Parents Equipping parents with digital tools & training they need to help their children succeed is a wise investment. When parents are familiar with computers & the Internet, they can be partners in their child’s online world. They can set an example of smart internet use.

Parent Responsibilities Parents have a critical role in guiding their children‘s use of computers & the Internet so that it doesn’t become a distraction from learning. Parents need to be actively involved in the child’s education, especially when it involves the use of technology.

Additional Trainings Faulkner State –Workshops for parents for basic computer skills- Windows, Word, Excel & Power Point Bishop State- Adult Education courses in basic computer skills USA School of Continuing Education & Special Programs-Special courses in computers

Parent Resources –FBI safety tips –safety advice & parent guides online safety (Larry Magid, EdD) -apps, Facebook, kids learn about privacy, reputation, ethics & security

Parent Resources/Products -safety tips for parents, rules of the house, Internet use contracts to download & print –Safe Eyes-FILTER BEaPro TM –app that empowers adults to protect their kids across all connected devices

Parents can chose topics on blogging, cell phone, chat rooms, file sharing, instant messaging, gaming, identify theft, predators, sexting, social networking, webcams and much more. This is a user friendly site for parent information using video presentations.

Digital Citizenship Digital Citizenship- appropriate technology behaviors: Etiquette-Communication- Education –Access-Commerce-Responsibility- Rights-Safety -Security Parents and students are responsible for appropriate technology behaviors The best “filter” is the one that runs in a young person’s brain-not a computer!

Proactive Knowledge Passwords- your child should create a secure password, for ex. DO NOT USE DOB, street address, SS# -anything to link to you Privacy- protect private information like address, & phone numbers-private information can identify them. Personal Information-chose who you share it with.

Photographs- private things may show up in photographs like license plates or street addresses- they may turn off geotagging feature or face recognition. Property- understand about copyright procedures & what plagiarism means. Permission- know how to get permission for work they use & how to cite it.

Protection- understand what viruses, malware, phishing, ransomware, and identity theft are. Professionalism- student will learn how to interact on social media, netiquette & online grammar. Personal Brand- how they use their voice and how they are perceived online is called DIGITAL TATTOO, which is impossible to erase.