Kids seem to be engaging in risky online behavior at an increasingly younger age every year. When I recently asked 4th graders where they go online, they rattled off the names of sites I had only heard from teenagers not long ago. So I decided it was time to combat these issues with a strong message about Internet safety. And who can talk about the Net with greater authority than a teenager?
So, with the help of our high school internship coordinators, I managed to round up 20 willing students and convinced them to give up their first day of summer vacation and several others to meet with me. They completed iSafe's online training to certify them as iMentors and they explored the videos and real life stories on the NetSmartz teen site. Then we rehearsed the NetSmartz Assemblies for K-2 and 3-5.
The teens presented 40 assemblies at 20 schools in 4 days! The elementary students loved the presentations. They were very engaged and had a memorable experience. One parent later told me her 8 year old son saw her using the computer and said, "Mom, you're not sharing your personal information online, are you?" The kids took home an Internet Safety Pledge to help initiate these types of home discussions.
The whole experience was positive for everyone. The teens even received recognition from our Board of Education. Next steps? We're talking about doing parent presentations and going into elementary classrooms to do followup lessons. Maybe we'll even work up the courage to venture into the world of middle schoolers! Whatever the next adventure may be, our Web Safety Taskforce is ready for the challenge!
