Internet & Digital Safety

The Internet offers a wealth of resources and material for education. Accessed through a variety of electronic devices, it also allows for rich and diverse opportunities for 21st century communications. These devices are becoming ever more diverse and ubiquitous. They raise issues of digital / Internet safety and digital citizenship. Along with ensuring that our young people have the technological skills to effectively use digital devices, platforms, and resources for educational purposes, we also have the responsibility to teach them how to be safe and productive digital citizens of the 21st century. This responsibility has been mandated through the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, which is Title II of the Broadband Data Improvement Act of 2008.

Within this context, Washington's anti-bullying law includes the prohibition of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying using electronic devices to initiate repeated negative behavior toward a less-powerful person. Electronic name-calling, shunning and shaming are all forms of cyberbullying. So are spreading rumors, gossiping and making threats online. Schools are permitted to discipline students who engage in cyberbullying if it disrupts the orderly operation of school. Training materials are available on the Safety Center web site.

Protecting Children in the 21st Century

The Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act adds statutory language to existing FCC rules for the implementation of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). CIPA compliance, in turn, impacts ERate compliance. In addition to existing CIPA requirements, the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act now also requires school boards to update their Internet Use/Internet Safety policies to include statutory language to say they are providing for the education of minors regarding appropriate online behavior including interacting with others on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and regarding cyberbullying awareness and response.

• FCC Report and Order, August 2011 (PDF)
• For Training: An Introduction to the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act (PDF)
• CIPA and ERate Compliance
• Sample FCC-based Internet Use Policy & Procedures (PDF)
• Guidelines for Social Network Use by Teachers (PDF)

Internet Safety Brochure

Cyber Safety: Tips for Safe Surfing, is a full-color, two-page brochure for parents and teens. Schools may print this as a brochure and distribute to their families.

Download the brochure
The brochure is available as a PDF download in nine languages:
English | Tagalog | Spanish | Cambodian | Korean
Russian | Somali | Ukranian | Vietnamese

Selected Resources
The following are a few selected links and resources which provide background and context for adults and can help teach youth online safety. Many sites provide links to additional resources.

Teacher / Parent Background Resources

bNetSavvy: This is a comprehensive Internet safety website from the National Education Association Health Information Network. You can find the Facebook for Educators guide here.

Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use: Resources to help prepare students for their future and to be safe and responsible in a digital world.

Common Sense Media: A resources dedicated to providing the trustworthy information and education in the world of media and technology.

Connect Safely: Safety tips, advice, news and resources for parents, educators and youth.

Cyberbullying Research Center: The Cyberbullying Research Center provides up-to-date information about the nature, extent, causes, and consequences of cyberbullying among adolescents.

Family Online Safety Institute: FOSI works to make the online world safer for kids and their families.

Get Net Wise: GetNetWise is a public service of the Internet industry and public interest organizations to help ensure that Internet users have safe, constructive, and educational or entertaining online experiences

National Crime Prevention Council: Cyberbullying information from the NCPC.

NetCetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online: A downloadable booklet from the FCC to help adults talk to kids about online safety. Also available in Spanish.

Net Family News: Kid-Tech news for parents.

NetSmartz: Classroom and background information and resources from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Sexting Information
Sexting is not a singular thing. It covers a range of possible actions and motivations. Sexting is online communication involving youth produced sexually explicit or suggestive images created and shared through the use of personal communication technologies. Sexting response requires clear policies and procedures, common sense, compassion and a known plan of action. Discuss sexting with your legal office before a situation arises.

Sexting: A Typology: A definition and examination of sexting from the University of New Hampshire Crimes Against Children Research Center.

Sexting: A Brief Guide for Educators and Parents: A brief overview from the Cyberbullying Research Center.

Sexting Guidance for School Leaders: Guidance from the Center for Safe and responsible Internet Use.

Cell Phone Checklist for School Administrators: Check with your legal office first. In the meantime, the Cyberbullying Research Center provides a practical list of questions to consider.

Classroom Curriculum Resources

Boston Public Schools Cyber Safety Campaign

CyberSmart: Classroom materials around digital safety for grades K-12 from Common Sense Media.

Hector’s World: A resource from New Zealand to help young people learn about safe online practices and digital citizenship.

NetSmartz: Classroom and background information and resources from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

SPS Middle School Cyberbullying Curriculum: A complete cyberbullying curriculum designed to stand alone or fit into ongoing bullying prevention work.

Safe Surfing Online Internet Challenge: An Internet safety and cyber citizenship program for 3rd through 8th graders from the FBI.

Stay Safe Online: Resources from the National Cyber Security Alliance.

Youth Resources

A Thin Line: A site created by MTV to empower youth to identify, respond to, and stop digital abuse among young people. A Thin Line has recently added a Grown Ups link for parents and educators.

NetSmartz: Classroom and background information and resources from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

School Safety Center