NEW HAVEN – New Haven Elementary School students now have the smarts to be safe online, thanks to a brief presentation from Pamela Weaver of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Her visit included a discussion with students in grades kindergarten through second who learned basic Internet safety such as not sharing personal information without talking to their parents or guardians and to not be rude online.
The NetSmartz presentation for third and fourth graders provided more detailed safety information, as several of them admitted to being Internet savvy and social media users.
Several students raised their hands when Weaver asked if they had seen her agency’s missing child posters.
Her educational program was designed to help the students make good choices and stressed the importance of not meeting a stranger from online so they, too, don’t become missing children.
Students took away the following key safety tidbits: avoid inappropriate content and risky behavior such as adult activities, violence, hate speech and illegal behavior.
If they come across that content while playing video games, searching through YouTube or using social media applications, Weaver encouraged them to turn off their screens, use the back button, tell a trusted adult or report the website or application.
“Think before you post” was a message the children chanted as Weaver told them that once you post something online you can’t take it back. Say no- always- to inappropriate requests.
“You’re in charge if your cyber life,” Weaver said.
Cyberbullying can be stopped, she said, by children and adults spreading kindness.
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