(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) From cyber bullying, to online profiles, sharing information online is becoming more dangerous. Schools are doing what they can to teach students about internet safety, at a young age.
"We usually start out kindergarten with sharing information online, and what's safe online," said Melissa Corey, St. Joseph School District's technology specialist.
As more computers and tablets are added to the classroom and put in the hands of students, the St. Joseph School District is putting a stronger focus on internet safety.
Digital Citizenship curriculum is now formalized for every classroom.
"There is one for every grade level, every semester, and it's taught on different topics, mainly about how to stay safe online, cyber bullying, and how to avoid giving out personal information and those kind of topics," said Corey.
St. Joseph's program for the preteen age group deals more with personal information.
"About online relationships and what information you give out can really make you unsafe, especially if you end up one of those situations where you're talking to someone you really shouldn't be talking to. It really teaches those students what information to put out there to keep themselves anonymous," said Corey.
As we enter the age where more school work is being completed online, access to the internet is growing.
In Savannah, students are given a school email address beginning in the fourth grade, but, the email comes with responsibility.
"They're only allowed to e-mail within the Savannah domain which is teachers, administrators, and other students. We have topics throughout the year about internet safety and what they should and shouldn't do on the computers, cyber bulling, and who they should report it to if it's happening," said Clint Howren, Savannah Middle School, Assistant Principal.
And educators agree, as more students are logging on in and out of school, internet safety education must be a priority for educators and parents.
"We usually start out kindergarten with sharing information online, and what's safe online," said Melissa Corey, St. Joseph School District's technology specialist.
As more computers and tablets are added to the classroom and put in the hands of students, the St. Joseph School District is putting a stronger focus on internet safety.
Digital Citizenship curriculum is now formalized for every classroom.
"There is one for every grade level, every semester, and it's taught on different topics, mainly about how to stay safe online, cyber bullying, and how to avoid giving out personal information and those kind of topics," said Corey.
St. Joseph's program for the preteen age group deals more with personal information.
"About online relationships and what information you give out can really make you unsafe, especially if you end up one of those situations where you're talking to someone you really shouldn't be talking to. It really teaches those students what information to put out there to keep themselves anonymous," said Corey.
As we enter the age where more school work is being completed online, access to the internet is growing.
In Savannah, students are given a school email address beginning in the fourth grade, but, the email comes with responsibility.
"They're only allowed to e-mail within the Savannah domain which is teachers, administrators, and other students. We have topics throughout the year about internet safety and what they should and shouldn't do on the computers, cyber bulling, and who they should report it to if it's happening," said Clint Howren, Savannah Middle School, Assistant Principal.
And educators agree, as more students are logging on in and out of school, internet safety education must be a priority for educators and parents.
