Teachers

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SCHOOL’S IN

Eight in 10 Filipino children and adolescents are at risk of being bullied or sexually abused online, according to a 2016 UNICEF study. Thanks to the rise of internet access and smartphones, many children are wired 24/7.

The good news is that almost one-third of a child’s day is spent in school – and being in an environment that actively educates children about online safety lowers the risk.

SETTING GUIDELINES

While the internet opens wide doors for learning, students’ internet use should always be guided and age-appropriate. Just as you would keep an eye on students in real life during a field trip, teachers must be aware of what their students do online in school.

  • Partner with your school’s IT department to set safe browsing controls on all computer units used by students and monitor the network for patterns of inappropriate use.

  • Provide a clear academic goal when you task students to go online.

  • Acquaint yourself with tools that will help you monitor their activity and recognize risks, such as browsing history.

  • Teach students what information should be kept private and not shared online:

  • Birth date
  • Full name
  • Email address
  • Home address
  • Phone number
  • School
  • Identifying posts and photos (e.g. through geotagging)

  • Practice role-playing with students to help them understand risks online and how to avoid them:

  • When is a stranger online potentially dangerous?
  • How can you recognize online grooming?
  • How do you deal with a cyberbully?
  • How can you keep safe when posting videos online?
  • What do I do if someone is making me feel uncomfortable online?
You are part of your students’ first line of defense against online abuse and exploitation. The first step to prevention is building a relationship of trust, openness and respect with your students.
You are part of your students’ first line of defense against online abuse and exploitation. The first step to prevention is building a relationship of trust, openness and respect with your students.