Our View: Internet safety should start at home

September 03, 2008 08:47 am

— While the Internet continues to evolve at a rapid pace, users of the World Wide Web have become younger and younger. It is no longer unheard of for a kindergartner to have both the skill and means to log on to Web sites.
That said, we like the idea of schools involving safety training for even the youngest of pupils. The dangers of the Internet have been widely reported, and a new state law requires schools to incorporate Internet safety into their curriculums at least once every academic year to students in grade 3 and higher.
For District 80, the change will be minimal as Internet safety already has been a priority. Abiding by the state law will be little more than continuing a practice already in place.
Despite the efforts of schools to educate children as to the dangers of the Internet, parents should not rely solely on them to keep their children safe. Parents need to not let up their guard just because schools have been told to focus on this issue.
Like many other issues faced by children in society, Internet safety should begin at home for those who have access to the World Wide Web. One cannot be too cautious when it comes to the safety of his or her child who may be new to the Internet.