#1798. Cyber Safety

Computer, level: Elementary
Posted Fri Jun 16 07:39:36 PDT 2000 by Raynee Sparks (sparksr@cedar-falls.k12.ia.us).
Cedar Falls Schools, Cedar Falls, IA
Materials Required: internet access
Activity Time: 45 minutes
Concepts Taught: Cyber Safety

Welcome to Mrs. Sparks's page on
CYBER SAFETY!

Gather Information About Your Source!!!!

Who is responsible for gathering the information?
Check the URL (address) for clues.

.com = commercial This site may try to sell something.
(e.g. http://www.cnn.com
http://www.eduplace.com)

.edu = education This site is connected to a
college/universitymuseum, or gallery.
(e.g. http://www.uni.edu/
http://www.uni.edu/
http://www.iastate.edu/)

.k12 = elementary/ Made for or by a school district
middle/high school (e.g. http://www.cedar-falls.k12.ia.us)
http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/

.org = organization This may try to inform you of a group's information.
(e.g. (http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/4471/)

.gov = government This is connected to a government site
(e.g. http://www.ksc.nasa.gov
http://www.state.ia.us/
http://www.state.ca.us/)

~ or tilde = personal page

_______________________________________
Evaluate Your Site
Who found the information? How do they know about the information? Is that person/company reliable?

What is the author's purpose?
Persuade
Inform
Sell
Entertain

Where was the information gathered?

©
When was the information put together? When was it updated?

Why does this information help? Is this good information?

Using the internet means using your brains!

Remember Your Cyber-Smarts

Companies often use cool characters to make you like their products. But remember -- it's advertising. A pretend character isn't really your friend, especially when he or she is trying to sell you something.

Companies often ask kids to compete in games, join clubs or fill out surveys on the Internet. They may offer you a prize for answering questions about your name, age, favorite foods, or what your parents do for a living.

Don't let companies learn about what you like and don't like. Next thing you know, they'll be trying to sell you something.

You came on the Internet to play not pay. Sometimes companies create playgrounds on the Internet to trick kids into buying things. Don't be fooled!

Things can look a whole lot better, bigger, or tastier on your computer screen than they are in the real world. Think before you buy!

What you do or say on the Internet is not private. Anyone can listen in, so only tell things you and your family would be comfortable having the whole school (or the whole world!) know.

You know to be wary of strangers in the real world. It's important to be careful on the Internet too. Never tell a cyber-stranger your address or your phone number, and never agree to meet a cyber-friend without telling your parents. If you do decide to meet someone you talk to on the Internet, be sure it's only in a public place, and that a parent goes with you.

©Media Awareness Network
http://www.media-awareness.ca/eng/cpigs/cbsm.htm