GEM-2

Chapter 2 of Security vs. Access is called inappropriate content. This chapter would go along with Chapter 6 in the ISTE book also. This chapter goes with the area of online safety.

This chapter talks about the scare of students being exposed to inappropriate things while they are online and under teachers' supervision. Some things that are typed into search engines can bring up completely different kinds of things than what you are actually looking for that happen to have the same key words. There is a danger in teens using gang signs in their online photos because they think it is cool or funny. There is a story in this chapter about teens in Hong Kong who were arrested because they possessed a type of explosive they had read how to make online. In the U.S. 87% of young people use the Internet daily. 2/3 of those, and rising, use it at school. 99% of that 87% use the internet in multiple locations throughout the day. There is no way to protect students from the dangers of the internet 100% of the time, but precautions can be taken. Students need to be aware of what to do when inappropriate or undesirable items appear on their screens. Filtering and blocking software can help limit many sights that might be inappropriate for students to be on. Parents and students should be aware of the acceptable use policy (AUP) at their school. Students should be under direct supervision when they are online.

This is a very good chapter to help a school or teachers know how to help keep their students away from undesirable content. I think that it is really important for parents and teachers to know that students cannot be protected 100% of the time, but precautions can be placed to help the chances be even lower. Teachers should assume the responsibility of instructing students on what to do if inappropriate or bad information/photos/videos are on the website before them.