[ Basic Safety Tips ] [ Appropriate Use ] [ Filtering Software ] [ Acceptable Use Policy ] [ Safety Links ] [ Sources ]

Appropriate Use:

The Four P's:

Pornography -

Pornography may be either legal or illegal. It may be legal but inappropriate for young children to access Playboy On-line. Child pornography is illegal.

Plagiarism -

Information posted on The Internet is considered intellectual property - including writing, pictures and graphics. Quite often the owner can be e-mailed with a request for permission to use their information.

Privacy

Some consider it a challenge or fun to break into other's computer systems. In fact it is illegal to willfully do so. It is also wrong to look through other student's files at school or co-worker's files at work. It may also be considered wrong to look through family files at home.

Propoganda

Advertisers are rife on the Internet and are not always adverse to using glitzy or even subliminal messages. Hate literature sites also abound such as websites for The Klu Klux Klan and Nazi sites. The importance of being able to evaluate the worth of the content becomes especially important when one considers that almost anyone can publish information on the world wide web. The ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information is also paramount given the huge amounts of information that is posted on some subjects. Don't let your child become "Information Superhighway Road Kill".

Appropriate Use Tips:

	Discuss the appropriateness of pornography on the Internet and define acceptable standards for your home.
	Don't allow sharing of passwords or personal information.
	Ensure that your child understands that copying and pasting from The Internet without the owner's permission is illegal and immoral. It is always important to acknowledge the source.
	Ensure that your child understands that it is illegal and immoral to intentionally break into other's computer systems. Talk about what to do if one accidentally comes across "confidential" information on The Internet. (also other family member's files on home computers and other student's files at school)
	Purchase "Privacy Playground" CD-ROM - or download it from the Media Awareness Network web site at: http://www.media-awareness.ca/eng (See Safety Links)
	Ehance your child's media-literacy skills. Today's youth need to develop the ability to evaluate the worth of content from a very young age (e.g. hate literature, advertising, etc.)