Growing concerns about how safe our children are online are increasingly reflected in discussion, policies, and politics. Last week, during a parent-teacher meeting, we received a booklet on "safety online" for young children, signs that the conversation has moved from hype/panic, to some more practical steps and directions. I don't view online safety to be any different than safety in any other aspect of life. All things are potentially dangerous - a trampoline, a pool, a baseball bat. The key challenge we face is in teaching children how to participate safely in any activity. I was skimming a report - Safer Children in a Digital World (.pdf) and came across this practical statement: "Children and young people need to be empowered to keep themselves safe – this isn’t just about a top-down approach. Children will be children – pushing boundaries and taking risks. At a public swimming pool we have gates, put up signs, have lifeguards and shallow ends, but we also teach children how to swim."
Posted by gsiemens at March 28, 2008 11:59 AM | TrackBackI agree with the sentiment even if it is represented by the oldest and most over-used metaphor for the safety of children online ever. I use it too, so I'm not complaining... just waiting for something to replace it!
Posted by: Chris L at March 28, 2008 12:35 PMHey Chris...yes, it is old and overused. But overused metaphors are not quite mainstream with some parents :).
George