Reading Detectives Have A Clue …

… About Internet Safety

Mrs. Bentheim, 6th Grade Reading

Objective

The student will explore meaningful information about Internet Safety and create an action plan to protect himself or herself.

Let’s See What You Know …

True or False?

When you set your MySpace profile to private, only you can see what’s on it.

It’s impossible to track your computer’s location over the Internet.

People are not kidnapped or murdered by someone they met on the Internet very often.

You can’t be hurt by using the Internet—it’s just words.

How Did You Do?

When you set your MySpace profile to private, only you can see what’s on it. FALSE

It’s impossible to track your computer’s location over the Internet. FALSE

People are not kidnapped or murdered by someone they met on the Internet very often. FALSE

You can’t be hurt by using the Internet—it’s just words. FALSE

Let’s Break it Down …

The reality is that a private setting is not private. Anyone with simple decryption software can see anything you post.

So what can you infer? It’s simple. DO NOT POST IDENTIFYING

INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF: class schedule, photo of house, name of school, suggestive photos of yourself, etc.

Let’s Break it Down …

Your computer has something called an IP address. This IP is paired up with a physical location that can be tracked by police—or by predators. You may think you’re talking to a cute boy from English class, but it might really be a 40-year-old ex-convict who wants to hurt you.

So what can you infer? Only talk to people you KNOW well. If you’ve never met

them in person, don’t bother. Even if you THINK you know who they are. Be smart. Be safe.

Let’s Break it Down …

Look at these images. These are MySpace murder victims that thought they knew the person they were talking to:

Let’s Break it Down …

Words hurt. It’s simple. Poor choices of words can come back to get you when you look for a job. Poor choices of words can come back to get you when you cyberbully a student from school.

Kids commit suicide. Kids and adults commit murder.

So what can you infer? These are people’s lives ripped apart by

irresponsible choices.

Think. Pair. Share.

Think: Write down as many things you do that place you in harm’s way on the Internet.

Pair: When directed, pair up with the person next to you and discuss the similarities and differences in your lists. If time, create a venn diagram.

Share: Be prepared to share your findings with the class.

One Final Thought …

Take Action!

Look at the list you created a few minutes ago. Use that information to create a one-page action plan to help protect yourself from online predators. If you already think you’re safe and don’t need to

change anything about the way you behave online, write an action plan for a friend who is in danger.