Websites and Safety Info.

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We wanted to share some tips on keeping your students safe when using technology. In addition, we have had parents share their own journeys with their children as they navigate the different websites and apps that change daily and wanted to pass along their input.

Students using social networks such as Instagram and Facebook, which are for students 13 and older, build online profiles that stay in the Cloud F.O.R.E.V.E.R. Even if you take a picture down, it is still stored on the backup systems of the providers or may have been copied by viewers to pass along to other friends. Some of these sites even have add-ons that post random comments that you can not control.

Peer pressure is prevalent in middle school and it takes all parents can muster to say "no" when a child asks to open an account on one of the ever growing social networks. However, our students may not have the maturity or cognitive processing yet to understand the affects and ramifications of posting on line. If your student does have an on line account, it would be beneficial if you set up some ground rules and continue dialogue on its use. Teaching students how to discern when and what to post is a life lesson that you will be thankful you gave. Also, although the school covers the "do's and don't's" that we expect, it is most relevant when they are asking you (their parents) at the time of posting.

On the computer lab web page on the St. Mary School website, Mrs. Sanders has posted articles (technology documents) related to internet use and safety.

Here is the link to the government watchdog site, which is extremely helpful.

http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents

http://studio.code.org/sections/EMPJEY - For Coding Class. Course 2