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The internet is a double-edged sword. It’s filled with useful information. We have knowledge and power at our fingertips, and there is a lot of good it can do for the world. But, the internet is also dangerous and scary. There are dark corners of the internet where harmful things lurk. How can we keep our students safe? If you ever use technology in your classroom, it’s imperative that you teach internet safety for kids. What does internet safety mean? Internet safety for kids can mean a wide variety of things, from protecting passwords to not having access to inappropriate content. Essentially, internet safety is about protecting the student (and also equipment) from potentially dangerous content. When teaching internet safety, especially to young students, it might feel a little awkward. How do I explain that the internet can be a dangerous place? However, with younger students, you don’t need
A few years ago I only taught internet safety lessons to my fifth graders. I was shocked to hear how many of them had Facebook accounts and used YouTube without supervision. Then it was Snapchat and my third graders getting into trouble for posting inappropriate photos on Instagram. Now I have kindergarten students with smartphones and text during recess. This made me realize just how important it is to teach all students not only how to stay safe online but how to be responsible digital citizens. I also wanted to teach these skills in a meaningful way. After doing some searching I found some online games and some picture books that I could use, but I was having trouble finding any other type of lesson plans or activities. I liked Common Sense Media’s lesson plans but I was looking for something just a little bit different. So I ended