Students at Copley Middle School have internet access in all classrooms and labs.  We currently have over 500 computers available to students.  The Copley Fairlawn City School system uses the service of the State Department of Education to filter inappropriate websites in compliance with the federal Child Internet Protection Act.  Even though this service is in place, students and staff need to follow specific guidelines to assure online safety.

Correct vs. Incorrect Information 

“I found it on the internet; it must be true.”  Just because information has been posted, doesn’t mean that it is reliable information.  Learn to discern factual information.  Consider the reliability of the internet source and use critical thinking skills to analyze the material you find online.   

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Narrowing the Search

Don’t be overwhelmed by the plethora of information available when you use a popular search engine.  Click on the “advanced” tab when you enter a search engine and follow the instructions to limit the amount of information that is provided.  Don’t use extra words and don’t enter an entire sentence in the search bar—just use keywords.

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Citing the Source

Citations indicate where you obtained your information and offer documentation on the topic you are researching.  Much of the information available on the internet is copyrighted and cannot be used unless you have specific permission from the person who wrote the material.

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Protecting Your Privacy

Some websites require you to enter personal information, which is used by companies for marketing and fundraising activities.  Even if you have heard of the company, you should not provide this information.  Doing so can add your name to lists that not only may be used by that company, but may also be sold to third parties to be used in marketing and advertising opportunities.  When in doubt, check with your parents.

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Meeting Someone Online  

During recent years, the news has told many sad stories of teenagers who have turned up missing after agreeing to meet someone they have been talking with online.  Remember that the internet can be used by someone to appear different than they really are.  They may not be the age they say or look like the picture they scanned and sent to you. 

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Email 

Be careful reading email from people you do not know.  During the last few years, this has been the format used to pass many of the dangerous computer viruses.  NEVER give out credit card information in response to an email.  A current credit card scam involves an email sent by a person “claiming” to be a credit card company.  They ask the recipient to respond by sending his credit card information to a website.  The website may appear to be a legitimate site, but in reality it is a “spoof” of a real site in an attempt to lure people to disclose credit card information. 

Another danger with email involves “SPAM” or electronic “Junk Mail”.  This is designed to get people to buy something.  While some of these sites are legitimate, many are just selling items similar to those “Infomercials” you see on TV.  Don’t think that asking them to stop sending you the emails will work.  In some cases, spammers actually consider a “remove request” to be a validation that they successfully sent their spam to a real email address, and send more –not less- to your email box.

Some online services and internet providers have tools to help you block spam, and many email programs have blocking tools as well.  You can try these tools, but remember that spammers actually disguise themselves and change their identity so that they can get past the spam filters.

The best way to defend against spam and viruses is to not open mail from strangers and avoid clicking on links to external sites in email messages from people you do not know.  Most viruses are transmitted to computers by way of attachments and other downloads.  Since it is possible to get viruses even from friends, be sure to keep your antiviral software up to date. 

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Chat 

Remember that when you are in a chatroom you are still in a public place.  When you are talking with someone, you do not necessary know the true identity of that person.  Often people gain your sympathy and confidence by being willing to listen to your problems.    Never reveal your identity.  NEVER agree to meet someone in person based on a friendly conversation without talking to your parents.  If your parents agree to the meeting, they should be present when you meet with the person and it should be in a public place.

As with most things in life, if someone makes an offer that is “too good to be true” it probably is.

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Instant Messaging 

Instant Messaging is extremely popular.  This type of communication is similar to Chat except that it is usually a one-on-one experience instead of a group activity.  Many students use Instant Messaging with their cell phones.  One service available with Instant Messaging is the ability to leave an “Away Message” or information about yourself in the form of a “Profile.”  Many teenagers leave more information available about themselves than they realize.  It is not uncommon for teenagers to leave messages telling where they currently are and when they are expecting to be home.  Some people even leave personal information in their profile such as their street address and phone number.  In order for someone to read your profile and obtain this information, he must know your Instant Message name.  However, more people are viewing your profile than you may realize.  You may think you are providing information only to your select friends, when in reality, anyone who knows your Instant Message Screen Name has obtained your profile and away message.

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Getting Into “Fights” Online

Avoid getting into arguments online.  Remember that online conversations may not be interpreted as you intend.  When you are communicating only by written word, people may not properly pick up on non-verbal clues.  For instance, sarcasm may come across as being insulting instead of being funny.  One way that you can avoid this problem is by using the little smiley faces J called “emoticons” to express your facial expressions and moods in addition to the written word.

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Making Threats 

There are many reported cases of kids posting threatening material on Web pages, on bulletin boards, or in chat rooms.  Remember that anything you say online can potentially be viewed by anyone in the world.  Never post information about another person that could harm or hurt that person.  Not only is this in bad taste, but it is also illegal to threaten or intimidate other people.  These laws apply to threats made in person, on the phone, by the mail, or on the internet. 

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Setting Up Your Own Website 

Remember that anything that is posted can be seen by anyone visiting the site.  Again, more people may be visiting your website than you may realize.

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File-Sharing

One of the most exciting aspects of the internet in recent years has been the ability to download information such as music by using File-Sharing programs.  These file-sharing programs enable you to download music or movies from people around the country.  Recently much of this activity has been deemed to be illegal.  Remember that if you use these services, you may be authorizing your computer to be used to share music to others on the internet.  Some of these programs may actually expose your entire hard drive, not just your music folder.  Doing so could enable someone to gain access to any information stored on your computer, not just your songs.

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User Accounts/Passwords

User accounts and passwords MUST remain undisclosed.  If someone else uses your account and violates The Acceptable Use Policy, you will be responsible.

When selecting a password, remember these guidelines:

• Don’t use your login name (in any form including reverse order)

• Don’t use your first, middle, or last name (in any form including reverse order)

• Don’t use information easily obtained about you, such as:

• telephone numbers

• addresses

• social security numbers

• names of pets

• street names

• name of parents

• name of girlfriends/boyfriends

• Don’t write down your password

• Do use a combination of letters, numbers and characters

• Do use a password that is easy to remember

• Do create passwords at least 7 characters long