Should you teach internet safety?

A survey of over 1,000 teachers, principals, superintendents and tech specialists conducted by the National Cyber Security Alliance shows some very interesting attitudes about teaching interent safety to students.

• 81% of school administrators think their schools are doing a good job teaching about online safety
• 76% of teachers received no training (36%) or 1 to 3 hours (40%) on internet safety

As of 2008, schools are required by Federal law to provide instruction to students about online safety IF the school, public or private, receives Federal e-Rate funds. So, for the last three years schools have been required to teach internet safety to their students.

This week’s questions for you:

• Is it the job of schools and teachers to teach students how to be safe on the internet?
• Have you received training about internet safety?
• Do you (or your school) provide instruction to students about internet safety?
• What do you think is the best way to teach internet safety to students: Internet safety as a “topic” to be discussed with students once a year or integrate internet safety into curriculum?
• Given that most teachers have limited to no training in internet safety, how do you recommend schools best comply with the Federal requirement?