Internet: Finding Safe Sites for Kids

A Tutorial for In-Service and Pre-service Teachers

Introduction

Background Information

Activity

Chart

Contacts

This activity will teach you how to check sites and find safe sites for children. 

ISTE Learning Standards for this learning packet include:

• A1 demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.

• A3 to use technology tools and information resources to increase productivity, promote creativity, and facilitate academic learning.

• A4 to use content-specific tools (e.g., software, simulation, environmental probes, graphing calculators, exploratory environments, Web tools) to support learning and research.

• A7 use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a  variety of sources.

• A10 observe and experience the use of technology in their major field of study.

• A11 use technology tools and resources for managing and communicating information (e.g., finances, schedules, addresses, purchases, correspondence).

• A15 exhibit positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.

• A17 discuss the health and safety issues related to technology use.

• C2 identify, evaluate, and select specific technology resources available at the school site and district level to support a coherent lesson sequence.

• C3 design, manage, and facilitate learning experiences using technology that affirm diversity and provide equitable access to resources.

You will be required to submit 20 safe sites for children.  You may either list the sites in a word document or use the chart at the end of this packet. Your sites need to be from a variety of sources.  (.gov, .com, .org, .edu)

Background Information:

To find safe sites on the Internet can be a time-consuming task.  Many sites that end with .org or .gov or .edu are going to be safe sites.  Only educational sites can get an EDU tag.  Only government offices can get a GOV tag and only non-profit organizations can get an ORG tag.  If you are using a search engine to help you, going to the sites that have these 3 tags are usually a sure safe bet.  If you find that you are searching the Internet and children are present, these 3 tags should be the only sites that you click on to.  Commercial sites or .com are too risky to go to if you haven’t checked them out first.  A commercial site can have anything on it!  You may have wondered how anyone could possibly get to an undesirable site especially when most sites are titled with names that don’t leave much to the imagination.  Here’s how it works – adult sites make their money based on the number of visitors to that site.  Webmasters sell advertising space to companies that pay them a certain amount, which is based, upon how many people the webmaster can prove visit the site.  Each visit is called a “hit” and it doesn’t matter how long you stay at the site, just as long as you have been there.  The webmasters will often hide words on their sites.  When they do this, your search may find some sites that have lots of matches to your query but when you click on the link – you’ve enter an adult site.  Now this hit counts for that site and whether or not you have looked at anything, you have helped make the site look busier that it may have been.  SO --- please be careful when searching! 

Activity:

Connect to the Internet and go to a search engine of your choice.  Remember that different search engines often have different results and you may want to search on more than one.  Pick a topic or several that pertain to what you are learning/teaching in school.  When you check out a site, makes sure that you connect to several links before you “deem” it okay to visit for children.  I have found sites that seem all right until you connect to the 2^nd or 3^rd link.  Use this time to really research sites that are going to be useful to you.  Please remember to record your sites.  

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© Candi Fowler 2001