Keeping safe on the Internet

What would most parents do if a stranger walked up to their child and began whispering? What would happen if that stranger asked to meet secretly with the child or tried to show an inappropriate photo or video? The answer is obvious—the parents would intercede and call the police if necessary.

That sort of thing happens every day in homes throughout the area—via the Internet.

In an effort to keep our children safe, the Middle School Character Education Committee arranged to have Sergeant David Gilbo of the Johnstown Police visit the students on Monday, Oct. 5 to speak to our middle school students about the dangers of the Internet.

He began with a simple question, "Who has Internet access at home?" A sea of hands filled the auditorium. There were so many raised hands that it was impossible to see if anyone had not raised a hand.

According to the latest data, 90 percent of American students have home Internet access. Of those, 65 percent of students ages 12-17 routinely use social networking sites such as MySpace and FaceBook.

Sgt. Gilbo went on to explain that computers are not private. Information posted on web pages, computer chatting, and even erased files are accessible to people with an understanding of computers. He warned students to think before they posted anything online.

He related several colorful stories from his career as a police officer. Each story reinforced the idea that despite the feeling of safety and anonymity that comes with sitting at home in front the computer, the Internet is filled with danger. He offered the following suggestions to keep students safe:

• If what you see online makes you embarrassed or uncomfortable, you shouldn't be there.

• Never post any information that could personally identify you (name, address, phone number, town, or school).

• Be aware of photos that could give clues to your identity (the school sign in the background, your school jersey, notable landmarks).

• Never meet an online acquaintance in person. That 13-year-old girl you chat with could be a 50-year-old man.

• Don't share your passwords with anyone except your parents. Friendships and relationships change over time. That trusted friend could one day post inappropriate things on your web pages.

• Never open e-mail from someone you don't know—it could contain a virus.

• Never download files without a good, up-to-date, virus protection program.

• Remember that anything inappropriate you do online is a crime, just as if you did it in person. That includes bullying and threatening, or possessing or using alcohol or drugs.

• Above all, be courteous. Treat everyone online as you would if you were speaking to them in person.

"The Internet is a powerful tool, for good and for bad," said middle school principal Mrs. Donovan. "Our goal today was to remind our students of the many dangers and of the tremendous responsibility that comes with accessing the Internet."