BY MELISSA GLENN, CERTIFIED EDUCATOR AND READING SPECIALIST
Inside: Explore fun ways to teach internet safety for elementary students, with tips and resources for responsible online research and digital citizenship.
I stared at the screen in shock, not quite believing what I was seeing.
What on Earth IS this?!
My cheeks burned as my brain processed the images before me. I frantically closed the browser, cleared my history, and even contemplated, “Should I just restart the phone? Or, you know, casually set it on fire?!”
No, my phone didn’t meet a fiery end, but the temptation was real.
All I was doing was trying to look up cute kittens, per my kids’ request. I was hoping to find photos or videos of adorable baby cats, but let’s just say what I stumbled upon was… well, unexpected. 😳
In today’s world, the sheer volume of information at our fingertips – a mouse click or screen tap away – is astounding. This is wonderful but also… kind of terrible.
What a TIME to be alive, friends.
Teaching students how to use online resources to research information is crucial in the digital age. Gone are the days of thick encyclopedias and card catalogs (yes, I’m dating myself). As we guide our young students in navigating the internet for research, we must teach them more than just finding good sources. We also need to emphasize the importance of internet safety for elementary students.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Need to Teach Internet Safety for Elementary Students
Back in the day, our biggest fear when doing research was getting a paper cut. But the internet brings new dangers to the table. And it’s our job to ensure that our students do research safely and responsibly.
Students are naturally curious, and that’s great for learning. But online, this curiosity can lead them into some risky territories. As teachers, our role isn’t just to impart knowledge; it’s also to guide them safely through the digital landscape.
Think of it this way: we’re not just teaching them to read and write; we’re also teaching them to navigate the online world responsibly. It’s about helping them understand how to protect their personal information, recognize trustworthy sources, and be aware of the… less friendly side of the internet.
Integrating internet safety for elementary students into our teaching is so important. It’s not an add-on; it’s a fundamental part of educating our digital natives. We’re equipping them with the skills to make informed, safe choices online, which is just as important as any traditional subject we teach.
Let’s ensure our students are proficient in finding information and doing it safely. It’s about preparing them for a digital future already at their fingertips.
Strategies for Balancing Research Skills with Internet Safety
It’s the digital age, and we need to find the right balance between teaching our kids to have strong research skills and making sure they are safe every step of the way.
Let’s explore a variety of strategies that you can use to achieve this balance. From helping your students understand how to protect personal information to deciding if a source is credible, these strategies aim to empower your kiddos to be savvy and sage researchers in the digital world.
Personal Information Protection
- Develop a “My Private Information” chart for students to identify details not to be shared online.
- Play “What’s TMI?” to categorize information as “safe” or “too much information” for online sharing.
- Hold discussions on digital footprints and the importance of safeguarding personal data online.
Understanding Reputable Sources
- Conduct a “Good Guys vs. Bad Guys of the Internet” activity to identify credible online sources.
- Host a “Reputable Websites Showdown” where students present and validate their favorite kid-friendly websites.
- Provide website evaluation lessons using checklists to discern website credibility and age-appropriateness.
Awareness of Online Advertising
- Educate students about distinguishing online ads from genuine content and understanding misleading advertisements.
Promoting Safe Search Environments
- Introduce and utilize kid-friendly search engines like Kiddle or KidRex for safer online research.
- Bookmark trusted age-appropriate websites on classroom devices for easy student access.
Interactive Online Scenario Role-Playing
- Engage students in acting out scenarios involving strangers online and safe response strategies.
- Use dilemma cards to simulate various internet safety situations and appropriate reactions.
Collaborative Online Research
- Facilitate group research tasks and discussions on source credibility.
- Pair students for collaborative projects, focusing on safe research practices.
Open Communication and Classroom Support
- Allocate time for class discussions on internet safety issues, encouraging student participation.
- Create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable seeking help with online concerns.
Parental Engagement and Education
- Conduct workshops and provide resources for parents on internet safety for elementary students.
- Encourage active parental involvement in children’s online safety education at home.
Modeling and Reinforcing Safe Online Behavior
- Demonstrate appropriate online behavior and share personal internet safety experiences.
- Regularly update lessons to address new technology trends and internet safety issues.
Visual Reminders and Ongoing Education
- Utilize classroom posters with internet safety tips for constant reminders.
- Continuously revisit and update internet safety topics to stay relevant.
Teaching internet safety for elementary students goes hand-in-hand with research skills. Incorporating these strategies into your lessons allows you not just to make your students better researchers BUT also more aware and responsible digital citizens.
It’s all about fostering an environment where students can explore, learn, and grow- safely.
Tools and Resources for Internet Safety for Elementary Students
Having the right tools and resources at our fingertips is helpful when teaching internet safety. I know you’re busy, so I’ve got you.
Here’s a list of some valuable resources and online tools that will help you simplify the process of teaching internet safety for elementary students.
Resources for Teachers:
- Common Sense Media: Offers lesson plans, articles, and videos about internet safety for educators, parents, and children.
- ConnectSafely: Features tip sheets, infographics, and videos on various internet safety topics.
- NetSmartzKids: Provides interactive games and videos by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to teach internet safety.
- CyberWise: Delivers a comprehensive digital literacy curriculum that includes resources for teaching internet safety.
Online Tools:
- Google Safe Search: A search engine that filters explicit content, offering a safer browsing experience for children.
- Kiddle: A child-friendly search engine powered by Google Safe Search that filters out inappropriate content.
- KidRex: A kid-safe platform offering a range of games, activities, and videos.
- Be Internet Awesome by Google: A Google initiative featuring “Interland,” a game designed to teach kids safe and responsible internet exploration.
Incorporating these resources and tools into your classroom can help your students develop the skills they need to stay safe online.
Getting Started with Research and Internet Safety for Elementary Students
Are you ready?
Did you hear that in Taylor Swift’s voice? No? Just me? Oh well.
Anyway… the next step is to jump in and get started. When you teach young students, it can feel overwhelming to approach research, even if we understand the importance of online safety. Breaking it down into manageable steps can make the process more manageable for you and your students.
One way to ease into this is by using structured research projects that guide students through the process. My Animal Research Project Report is designed for this very purpose. While it doesn’t directly teach internet safety, it provides a clear framework for students to conduct research.
This can be a perfect opportunity to apply those internet safety lessons in a natural context, helping students discern reliable sources and gather information responsibly.
Similarly, my Heritage Month Bulletin Board Project encourages students to delve into research for different heritage and history months throughout the year. As they navigate the web to learn about various influential people, they can practice the safe browsing techniques you’ve taught them.
It’s a fun, engaging way to combine learning about influential people from diverse cultures with the critical skill of safe internet use.
Incorporating these resources into your lesson plans provides a structured yet flexible approach to teaching research skills. More importantly, you help your students build the confidence and competence they need to explore the vast resources available online safely.
Empowering Students in the Digital Age
That shock I experienced during my unexpected internet search is precisely why we need to prioritize teaching internet safety. Especially as we start to teach them about research. We provide the tools and knowledge to help them distinguish between safety and risk.
Remember, my Animal Research Project Report Pack and Heritage Month Bulletin Board Project are here to support your teaching journey. These resources are great to use as you teach your students how to research a topic online and complement lessons in internet safety and research.
You can grab a free sample of the animal research report pack to get started!
Let’s give our students the skills they need for safe and effective online research, preparing them for the digital age with both caution and curiosity.
