Blog

Internet Insecurity – Bringing Online Safety to Schools

Many parents are already starting to feel that sense of dread as we move ever closer to the start of the school year.  For some it’s because those expensive school supply lists are beginning to arrive in the mailbox or inbox; for others because we dread the early morning departure or afternoon homework routines. But don’t count summer over just yet. And if your kids are bored, done with camps and vacations, maybe they’ve turned to the computer to fill some time.  If so, make sure you are watching their online activities.

With 90% of children between the ages of 5 and 17 using computers and 1 in 5 youth receiving unwanted sexual solicitations online*, it’s a fact that the Internet is a dangerous place for many children. Yet even more parents are unaware of the dangers faced daily by children online, and of those parents who are aware, they are unsure how to protect children.

So the effort to help parents, professionals, and child advocates, Monique Burr Foundation for Children, Inc. created the MBF Prevention Education Programs that include digital and internet safety prevention.  And how great is it that others are taking notice and acting as well?

Facebook and Time Warner have joined forces to help stop cyberbullying, a real and dangerous threat facing youth today.  Read more about their Initiative, Stop Cyberbullying, Speak Up and their joint efforts here.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eschoolnews.com%2F2011%2F07%2F25%2Ffacebook-and-time-warner-join-to-stop-cyber-bullying%2F&h=YAQBqhSR-

And although Facebook rules require a teen to be 13 to create a profile, let’s not be that naïve – there are much younger kids on social networking sites and ALL parents need to be educated and vigilant.  Florida’s Kindergarten – 12th-grade students will learn Internet Safety and Cyberbullying prevention tips as MBF Programs are delivered in all Florida public schools and other youth-serving organizations across the U.S.  But why wait? Parents, go to MBF Resources to download information and tips so you can become educated and empowered and teach your kids to be smarter and safer online now!

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

MBF’s 5 Safety Rules

MBF Online Trainings and Resources

MBF Prevention Education Programs Overview

Funding Assistance Guide

Safety Brief: Partnering with Schools

Additional resources can be found at https://www.mbfpreventioneducation.org/resources/.

*http://kidsafe.com/freereports/Internet%20STATS%20Presented%20By%20CEN.pdf

Categorized in: ,

What They're Saying...

The MBF Child Safety Matters program is impressive. This important information is well formulated and well presented, developmentally appropriate, and based on good understanding of literature.

The MBF Teen Safety Matters curriculum hosts an in-depth approach to important social and safety concerns relevant to youth. The program content is age-appropriate with engaging activities, jargon, and realistic situations to positively promote a relatable and impacting learning experience…Teen Safety Matters is an educational benefit to all parties involved – students, parents, facilitators, and schools.

I heard about the program through my son. He came home…and showed me the safety rules. I cannot thank the Foundation enough; to have other people who are also concerned about my child’s safety and the safety of other kids is wonderful. I especially like the program’s focus on the prevention side.