It may seem like an overwhelming task to parents and teachers to educate kids about technology. Kids are often very technology savvy these days, but parents & educators need to set up systems for safe online browsing and teach kids how to be Internet Safe.

A number of resources on the web are available to help parents and teachers educate kids about safe technology practices.

  • OnGuard Online - provided by the US Government, with some sections specific to educating kids
  • CyberSmart - provides free K-8 Internet safety curriculum
  • SafeKids - tips for parents and teachers to make the Internet safe
  • GetNetWise - protecting your computer, and your kids, from online threats
  • Childnet International - an organization helping to make the Internet safe for kids. A Childnet KidsSmart website is run separately.
  • NetSmartz - information for parents, educators, teens and kids (netsmartzkids)
  • CBBC Stay Safe - a cartoon for kids, and resources for teens
  • Chat Danger - a site devoted to safe chat, email and mobile phone use. Includes cyberbullying information.
  • Websafe Crackers - a fictional online world to teach safety information
  • Family Online Safety Institute - a non-profit aiming to make the web safe. A parents resource section provides free tools and information.

These sites provide learning resources for parents and teachers, free materials and tools to help teach kids about safety, and continued updates to meet the demands of changing technology and safety concerns. For example:

  • CyberSmart covers online safety for kids K-8 in 5 education blocks: The 5 blocks consist of private identity information, cyberpals, feeling comfortable, chat & message safety and email safety. Children in Kindergarten begin to learn about private identity information right away.
  • SafeKids also provides a good 10-step agreement that kids can go over to understand safe practices.
  • Childnet’s KidsSmart site has a section devoted to educating kids via games, quizzes, and kid-friendly tips such as their simple smart rules - there are resources for kids under 11 as well as those over 11.
  • NetSmartz Kids is a very interactive flash site with great graphics, games, activities, and cartoon videos to teach many online safety rules

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