We live in an exciting time in history. The widespread availability of computers and Internet connections provides unprecedented opportunities to communicate and learn. Unfortunately, although most people use the Internet as a powerful and beneficial tool for communication and education, some individuals exploit the power of the Internet for criminal or terrorist purposes.
We can minimize the harm that such individuals do by learning ourselves, and teaching young people, how to use the Internet safely and responsibly. The term "cyberethics" refers to a code of safe and responsible behavior for the Internet community. Practicing good cyberethics involves understanding the risks of harmful and illegal behavior online and learning how to protect ourselves, and other Internet users, from such behavior. It also involves teaching young people, who may not realize the potential for harm to themselves and others, how to use the Internet safely and responsibly.
The information and links below offer guidance and resources for parents and educators and for young people so that they can develop good cyberethics, and get the most out of the exciting new world of the Internet.
Information technology (IT) sources, including email and Internet access, are provided for educational purposes in our nation's schools. It is necessary for students to know and adhere to their school's IT policy so that the school can continue to maintain and improve the functioning of their computing resources and to comply with Federal and State laws. A model acceptable use policy is provided at the link below.
On October 23, 2002, President Bush announced his agenda to increase Federal efforts to promote Online Safety. He also urged parents of America to take time to teach children about staying safe online. More information is available via the links below.
On September 5, 2000, in conjunction with the new Cybercitizen partnership to teach children about responsible online behavior, Attorney General Janet Reno wrote a letter to parents asking them to instill computer ethics and responsibility in their children. A new web site - www.cybercitizenship.org - represents a major national effort to provide teachers, parents and their children with a new learning tool - responsible computer use. The Web site is initially focused on providing support for parents, and will expand to assist teachers and appeal to kids. Read the press release and the letter via these links:
The Department of Justice Kidspage has many resources for kids, their parents and teachers. It includes a special page on “Cyberethics for Kids” and “A Lesson Plan for Teachers of Elementary and Middle School Children” which is accessible via the links below:
There are numerous sites where Internet Safety, Security and Responsibility issues are addressed. A list of some of these sites that provide comprehensive information, teaching tools and activities for children are accessible via the link below. The list is provided as an educational and research resource only. The material reached through the links does not represent the opinions or the positions of the Department of Justice.
We are interested in hearing from organizations and individuals that have programs related to cyberethics and cybercitizenship! If you have a program, please send us a letter or fax with a description of your organization and how we can learn more about your efforts. We can be reached at U.S. Department of Justice, 10th & Constitution Ave., NW, (Cyberethics, Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section), John C. Keeney Building, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20530. Fax (202) 514-6113.
Safety
Tips for Kids on the Internet from the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI publication of parent’s guidelines addressing online safety and
reporting on-line offenders)
U.S.
Department of Education Office of Educational Technology on Internet Safety
(links to federal reports addressing technological and non-technological
approaches to protecting children online and other related resources)
Kidz
Privacy
(U.S. Federal Trade Commission explains the rules (established by the FTC)
for website operators to protect kids’ privacy while they are online.
The rules are part of the 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection
Act. This site provides online privacy guidelines and resources for kids,
parents and educators.)
The
Librarian’s Guide to Cyberspace for Parents and Kids
(The American Librarian Association offers online safety guidelines and
numerous links to resources for kids and parents.)
The
Children's Partnership Online
(This site provides online safety resources including online sites for families.)
GetNetWise
(This site is a project of the Internet Education Foundation that provides
many resources for families including guidelines and links to educational
and entertaining Internet sites appropriate for kids.)
I-Safe America
(The Internet Safety Foundation is dedicated to educate and empower youth
to safely and responsibly take control of their Internet experience. Their
web site offers numerous different ways to get involved and make a difference,
including: chat hosts, room monitors, HTML coders and programmers, writers
and editors and web surfers. I-Safe provides information on navigating and
surfing the Internet to make it an exciting and safe adventure.)
Cybersmart
Curriculum
(lesson plans and activity sheets for K-8 co-published by the CyberSmart
School Program and MacMillan McGraw-Hill)
Net Safety-The
NetSmartz Workshop
(A National Center for Missing and Exploited Children web page for parents
and educators provides interactive lesson plans for ages 5-13+)
Stay
Safe Online
(Microsoft and Boys and Girls of America created a 15-minute kid-friendly
animated program to help children make smart choices about the use of Internet
chat rooms, e-mail and online behavior. Hosted by Shaquille O’Neal.)
SafeSurfin.com
(AOL provides resources, safety tips, activities for kids and teens and
information for parents and educators.)
StaySafeonline.info
(Sponsored by the National Cyber Security Alliance, this site offers cyber
security information, a self-guided security test, educational materials and
Internet resources.)
Consumer Information Security
(The Federal Trade Commission provides information for consumers and businesses
on computer security and safeguarding personal information, including a
link to a "Consumer Information Security" video, a fact sheet
on "How to Stay Safe Online if you Use High-Speed Internet Access,"
and a "Safe Cyber Surfer" quiz and other "fun stuff"
for kids.)
CERIAS /
Purdue University
(This university center offers information on computer, network and communications
security educational programs and events: seminars, free teacher workshops, continuing education, scholarship programs, Masters degree and K-12 resources.)
Computer Security Resource Center - CSRC
(The Computer Security Division (CSD) is one of eight divisions within the
National Institute of Standard and Technology's Information Technology Laboratory
that works to improve the security of information systems. The CSD's Computer
Security Resource Center (CSRC) site provides news, services and guidance
to the user, vendors and the federal community on securing IT planning,
implementation, managment and operation.)
There's One More Talk You Need
to Have
(The Department of Justice Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section's
Chief, Martha Stansell-Gamm wrote this article that was published by Newsweek
regarding the need for parents to find out what their children are doing
online and to teach their children how to be good citizens on the NET.)
Responsible
Computing in U. Va.
(Students, faculty and staff at the University of Virginia are provided
"responsible computing" and policy information on their University's
web site in support of its mission of teaching, research, and public service.)
Model Acceptable Use Policy for IT Resources in the Schools
(It is necessary for students to know and adhere to their school's information technology (IT) policy so that the school can continue to maintain and improve the functioning of their computing resources and to comply with Federal and State laws. It is important that parents discuss these rules with their student to ensure he or she understands them. A model acceptable use policy is provided by the Department of Justice Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.)
Arlington
Public Schools Acceptable Use Policy
(The Virginia Arlington Public Schools post their "Acceptable Use Policy"
procedures and guidelines for their students and staff on their web site.
Responsibility for appropriate behavior on school computer networks is addressed
within the section on "Code of Ethics.")
United States
Copyright Office
(U.S. Copyright Office site provides copyright information and online services.)
Piracy
and the Law
(The Business Software Alliance explains the legal responsibilities for
individuals and businesses, large and small. This site provides additional
information on types of piracy, tools and resources, and reporting software piracy.)
Pro Music
(This is an international web site that supports legitimate online music
services and provides answers to questions about copyright laws for online
music.)
Copyright
Kids
(This site was developed by a subcommittee of the Friends of Active Copyright
Education (FA©©E), an initiative of the Copyright Society of U.S.A.,
to teach school-age children the basics of copyright law. Learning activities
and tools provided include quizzes, sample permission letters, directions
on copyright registration and relevant links.)
Cyberethics for
Kids
(U.S. Department of Justice offers teachers a lesson plan outline and exercises
for K-8.)
Cybercitizenship.org
(The Cybercitizen Partnership Awareness Campaign offers approaches for teaching
children about cyberethics, cybercrime information, and links to adult and
youth resources.)
Play It
Cyber Safe
(This Web site provides children, parents and teachers the opportunity to
prevent cyber crime through knowledge of the law, knowledge of their rights and the ability to avoid misuse on the Internet. This site was created by the Business Software Alliance and the Hamilton Fish Institute at the George Washington University. It is a Cyber-Crime and Intellectual Property Theft
Prevention and Education Project funded by the United States Department
of Justice to educate the public on cyber-crime and intellectual property
theft.)
We are interested in hearing from organizations and individuals that have programs related to cyberethics and cybercitizenship! If you have a program, please send us a letter or fax with a description of your organization and how we can learn more about your efforts. We can be reached at U.S. Department of Justice, 10th & Constitution Ave., NW, (Cyberethics, Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section), John C. Keeney Building, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20530. Fax (202) 514-6113.