If you have come to this webpage, it means that you have some questions about Internet security for yourself or, you are a parent and have questions about the Internet use of your teenage son and/or daughter. The Internet is used for multiple tasks by students: to communicate with friends, to find information about music, sports and their own personal interests. If it is used wisely, it can be a great source of information for homework and school work.
Below are some links and audio and visual presentations on Internet Security and Safety.
Common Sense Media - The Internet Survival Guide for Parents: Social Networking
Microsoft - How to help your kids use social networking Web sites more safely
If you are asked to meet someone face-to-face that you met only online
It is important to remember that anyone can pretend to be anybody online, even a teenager.
Posting personal information could lead to problems at school and at home. For their own safety, students at LSS should set all their online profiles to PRIVATE or FRIENDS. This way, the student, his or her friends, athletic teams, or social groups are putting information about themselves onto the web but it remains within the group. If not, the whole world can access information posted online and this includes, a predator, a stalker or a cyberbully. It is important for students to protect their online personal information and ask their friends and family to be careful with it as well. Remember that, if you post a picture or yourself online, it equals to walking to the nearest grocery store and taping it to the window of the entrance or exit. Such photos of students might prove embarrassing or even worse – not the kind of photo students would want a college or university admissions officer or potential employer to see.
Another potential problem that students at LSS might not consider is identity theft. Identity theft occurs when someone establishes credit in someone else's name. Unfortunately for students and possibly his or her parents, the credit history will not be a good one and it will take a lot of time and effort to clean up the ensuing mess. Giving out personal information should be the decision of the studenst in consultation with their parents or guardians. Just because a popular website asks for personal information doesn’t mean it should be given out or put online. Some information is important to enter to establish who you are for the company but there are items that are not require and students should feel comfortable about not posting the information.
Where you live and where you go to school
If your family and friends know where you live and go to school, why do you feel it is necessary to post information such as the town, street, or school you attend. They already have this information. Only people unknown to you would need this information posted online. Be safe, don't post information on where you live and attend school.
Internet Safety in Canada
Some suggestions for LSS Parents
- The Internet has lots of useful information but it is best to be safe when letting your son or daughter online. It is safer to have your home computer in a common area where you can monitor your child rather than giving them their own accounts and let them surf for hours alone in their room.
- If you have concerns, check the web browser history to see what sites they access.
- Set time limits for their online activities.
- Use Internet filtering software if needed
- Set rules
a) Don't give out credit card numbers online or by email
b) Don't give out information that can identify who you are online
c) Make them aware that you can deal with cyberbullying or anything else that makes them uncomfortable
d) Never meet anyone they have met online without your consent
LSS Library Internet Rules
User Policy – “If in doubt – Ask! a teacher librarian, teacher or administrator ”
- Be polite. Never send or encourage others to send abusive messages.
- Use appropriate language. The LSS Internet user is a representative of our school and school district on a non-private network system. The user may be alone at the computer, but what is said and done can be viewed globally. Never swear, use vulgarities, or any other inappropriate language. Illegal activities of any kind (e.g. hacking, spamming, downloading music without compensation) are strictly forbidden.
- Never reveal a home address or personal phone number to anyone over the Internet.
- Do not reveal the addresses and phone numbers of students or colleagues over the Internet.
- Social Networking sites (E.g. Facebook, My Space, Nexopia) are not educational in nature and should not be accessed at LSS at any time.
- Never agree to meet an online contact face to face.
- Electronic Mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. At all times, your actions must take into account the rights of others, including Copyright laws. (Cut and pasting information from the Internet into your paper without using citations is considered cheating as well as a copyright infringement.)
- At all times, LSS Standards must be followed: Is it safe? Is it kind? Is it appropriate?
- The computers are for learning and working. Do not bring games from home on a disk or CD. Online gaming (E.g. RPG’s) in any format at LSS is not permitted.
- Do not knowingly spread computer viruses.
- Only use software provided by LSS.
- Passwords must be kept confidential at all times.
- LSS students have the responsibility to respect the privacy of other users. (E.g. Users will not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users. A student should not represent him or herself as another user.)
- LSS students will adhere to the laws, policies, and rules governing computers including, but not limited to, copyright laws, rights of software publishers, license agreements, and all LSS student's right to privacy.
- All LSS students are responsible to report immediately any misuse of the network to the administration. Misuse can come in many forms. It is commonly viewed as any message sent or received that indicates or suggests unethical or illegal solicitation, racism, sexism, or inappropriate language.
- LSS students are responsible for adhering to the Acceptable User Policy for Network Access while using the Internet in the Library or in a computer lab or individual stations throughout the school.
- No food or liquids are allowed around the computers at LSS.
- At LSS you must have a teacher’s permission to use a computer and/or the Internet during class times.
- You must have a teacher’s approval before printing or downloading files to your data disk.
Please be responsible on the Internet and familiarize yourself with these guidelines before accessing your accounts. If you have any questions, please ask a teacher to assist you.
The use of computers and the Internet is a privilege at LSS, not a right. Failure to comply with these policies will result in the loss of access to your account and to the network.
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