Internet Safety

After reading the other posted articles, I chose to read "Focus and Priorities" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from the May 2001 Ensign.
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&sourceId=275e759235d0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

The video resources that I watched were mostly resources to let kids know to be careful and what to do if you start to get into trouble. Some of them also talked about cyberbulling and the dangers involved. Most of the videos that I watched seemed to be geared towards teenagers or adults, but I did see one video that could be viewed by younger children and be developmentally appropriate.

Probably the most important "take-aways" from the reading and video were that there are many dangers associated with the internet and media, and it's easy to get caught up in the traps. Though there are many dangers, if parents, teachers, and kids are educated about the dangers and how to avoid them, then many problems could be eliminated. There will still always be unknown traps, and kids should be taught that they can just get away from the situation and talk to an adult for help. I also liked the information I read about how not just the internet, but other media sources can be detrimental in reducing the time that one may be involved in other good, real things, or establishing relationships with those around them (real, not virtual). Additionally, two people can be in the same room, but if there is a technology barrier, their relationship may not be being strengthened. It is important to set standards and limits.

I talked with some family members who have small children about media and internet safety. The most prominent things they thought of when I first asked what they knew were to keep the computer in an open space, and not to give out personal information to others. We talked about some of the different dangers specifically and I shared about some of the videos I had watched. To be more applicable to their family we talked about what they were, or could be doing right now. The children enjoy playing games on "Starfall" online. The parents usually navigate there, or there is a button at the top of the screen the children can click on by themselves to access it. I asked one child what he does on the computer, and right now his only concept of the internet is playing those games. I did ask him if he gets help from his parents to do anything else.
They did seem aware that there are many dangers online, so we did also talk about media in the sense of priorities, and how media can be a distractor from maintaining quality, real relationships. I think their family understands the importance of establishing standards and limits. There was nothing really that surprised me about the way they responded.
I shared with them where I found some of the resources that I had read and viewed. I think they will look into some of the information as well as additional information about what they can do now with their young kids and to already begin establishing rules and guidelines. Internet and media safety is important and it is good to be informed.