Growing up in the digital generation gives our students a chance to expand their worlds both intellectually and socially. What a great opportunity for them to collaborate and learn.  While the risks they face from on-line predators exists, more prevalent is the risk to their reputation. The likelihood of being bullied or bullying others is escalated when cell phones and the Internet are involved. Potential for harm extends beyond the boundaries of school.

It is important to us as educators to promote safe and responsible behavior at all times. District 202 supports a strict Internet filter and our teachers and staff conscientiously monitor on-line activities. We promote Internet safety and good digital citizenship within our classes, during workshops, and when opportunities arise, through ongoing discussion.

Report Bullying (815) 436-6128 ext. 615666

Cell phone use opens a whole new world for creative activity.  Indian Trail’s policy allows students to keep cell phones powered off in their lockers during the school day. As you are most likely aware, sexting and other abusive behaviors involving phones have been in the news lately.  While none of us like to believe that our child will be involved, it is a good idea to be proactive and take precautions.

As a parent, you have the right to check your student’s phone images and text messages as well as their web pages, social network pages and e-mail. Talk to your student about your concerns and ask them to show you their pages.

We believe that working together as a team, parents and teachers can make a difference.

Internet Safety & Social Networking Sites

Internet Safety: Online Safety Tips Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/children/safetytips.html

NetSmartz National Center for Missing & Exploited Children http://www.netsmartz.org/netparents.htm

A Parent’ s Guide to Internet Safety Federal Bureau of Investigation http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm

Think Before You Post Cybertip Line http://tcs.cybertipline.com/knowthedangers8.htm

That’s Not Cool The Family Violence Prevention Fund & Ad Council http://www.thatsnotcool.com/

iKeepSafe Internet Keep Safe Coalition http://www.ikeepsafe.org/PRC/ 10 ‘MUST KNOW’ Actions that will help you to protect your family!    Video on the bottom of the page http://www.ikeepsafe.org/PRC/videotutorials/index.php

Connect Safely http://www.connectsafely.org/

Social Networking

Stop Cyberbullying Parry Aftab and the wired Safety Group http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/

Net Bullies: preventing and handling cyberbullying Parry Aftab, Cyber lawyer http://netbullies.com/pages/1/index.htm

Hateful Content: Tips to Protect Kids Online Microsoft http://www.microsoft.com/protect/family/activities/hatefulcontent.mspx

How to Stay Safe on Facebook Video explanation of Facebook settings (7 minutes) http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-stay-safe-on-facebook

Parental Control

There are a multitude of control applications. Some can be found free on the web, others require purchase. Your own service provider (Comcast, WOW, AT&T, etc.) will have them as well. While we do not endorse any of the products, here are some sites that might be a good place to start looking at the different options beyond your service provider.

2009 Internet Filter Software Product Comparisons TopTenREVIEWS, Inc. http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com

Open DNS Free. Can click Start Using DNS and then choose the video tutorial to see more before downloading. http://www.opendns.com/solutions/homenetwork/

K-9 Web Protection Free for home use. http://www1.k9webprotection.com/

Free beta Download for Parent Care from MySpace Parents Track all MySpace accounts on your computer. http://www.ikeepsafe.org/parentcare/index.php

Net Nanny Filtering and blocking software. Offers a 14 day free trial. http://www.netnanny.com/

McGruff Safeguard Monitoring software. Free account. Records and monitors Google, MySpace, FaceBook, AOL, msn, Yahoo. http://www.gomcgruff.com/m/index.asp

Spector Pro Monitors on line activity including email, web sites, keystrokes. Provides screen snapshots. http://www.spectorsoft.com/