Let’s play a game that could answer the question, “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” The topic is e-Safety. That means our game is intended to reveal if you have a basic understanding about cyber predators and online bullying, intellectual property rights, as well as the safe operation of the computer and other technology. With i-SAFE 5th grade lessons, students learn the answers to these questions and much, much more. In Hawaii, i-SAFE is being taught in 271 schools, educating and empowering more than 66,000 students to be safe and responsible online.
So parents, are you ready to play? Here are some reasons this game’s more than just a game. Nine of ten parents (93%) stated in a recent i-SAFE survey that they know “some” or “a lot” about their children’s Internet experiences. Yet, only 26% of 5-12 grade students tell their parents where they go and what they do on the Internet. Parents provide their children with a computer and Internet access. Many have the perception that the computer is a tool that helps make their kids smarter, helps them keep in touch with their friends, and keeps them off the streets and out of trouble. While there is no disputing the advantages this technology affords, the misconception that nothing harmful can happen from using the Internet is still widespread despite recent cases of child abduction, online identity theft, and lawsuits from the downloading of music, movies, and other types of intellectual property. Here’s another shocking statistic: 35% of 5-12 graders say their parents would disapprove or punish them if they knew about all their Internet activities. Parents need to be one step ahead of their children – in other words – smarter than a 5th grader.
Let’s start the game. (Check your answers below)
1. What should you do if someone asks you for personal information like your telephone number while you are in a chat room?
a. Leave the chat room immediately and sign off. Then tell an adult.
b. Offer to share your personal information, but only if they'll share their secrets too!
c. Give out just your phone number. |
2. What should you do if you receive an e-mail with an attachment from someone you don't know?
a. Open the attachment and see what you got.
b. Send it on to all your friends.
c. Delete it without opening it. |
3. If you add a comment to a message board, and someone responds to you in a derogatory or attacking way, what have they done to you?
a. Flamed you
b. Blamed you
c. Spammed you |
4. What is intellectual property?
a. Material on the Internet anyone can use in reports, for fun, etc. It's all free!
b. Material on the Internet that is owned by others.
c. Things you don’t have to think about before buying. |
5. You find a quote online you want to use in your science report. What should you do?
a. Don't use it – that is wrong.
b. Use it – that's why it's there.
c. Use it, but give credit to the author. |
6. I cannot be sued for downloading music online if I…
a. Get music released by the artist or record label to gain exposure.
b. Go to a P2P site and share music.
c. Only download 10 songs.
d. Burn downloaded songs on CD and give them to friends.
e. All of the above. |
7. How can I reduce the amount of spam e-mail sent to me?
a. Unsubscribe from the company sending the spam e-mail.
b. Reply back to the spammer and tell them to stop.
c. Open up the attachment sent with the spam to use as evidence in reporting spam.
d. Use spam-blocking software and filters.
e. All of the above. |
8. I can receive a computer virus by…
a. Opening up an attachment from a friend.
b. Downloading a free program from adware.
c. Opening up an attachment from a company.
d. Downloading a song from a P2P site.
e. All of the above. |
9. What can I do to prevent getting scammed?
a. Check if the site looks real.
b. Ask a friend what they think.
c. Avoid giving away a credit card number or bank account number to unfamiliar sites.
d. See if pictures of the product are offered.
e. All of the above. |
10. How can my parents and I reduce the chances of identity theft?
a. Update my personal information on identity theft sites.
b. Keep my personal information on the hard drive.
c. Shop on online sites that advertise security of personal information.
d. Call to confirm companies are legit.
e. All of the above. |
OK, how’d you do? Parents that we’ve surveyed overwhelmingly (61%) say that, when it comes to technology, the Internet and e-Safety, they are not as smart as a 5th grader. If your children aren't currently receiving i-SAFE lessons in school there are steps you can take to help ensure your child is safe and responsible online. Begin by lobbying for i-SAFE. Tell your child’s teacher to become certified to teach i-SAFE lessons. Or, you can go higher and talk to your children’s principal, write to school board members or the district superintendent. The Hawaii Department of Education (HDOE), Kamehameha schools, and the Hawaii Catholic School Department (HCSD) support i-SAFE, and encourage teaching the curriculum in their schools.
Another way is to take an interest in what your children are doing online, and learn as much as you can about e-Safety. i-SAFE provides easy and convenient i-PARENT online training at http://ilearn.isafe.org/. You can also learn more at http://www.isafe.org/, or our new Web site just for Hawaii at http://www.isafehawaii.org/.
Get involved and take action! When it comes to the safety of your child, don’t you want to be smarter than a 5th grader?
Answer Key: 1) a; 2) c; 3) a; 4) b; 5) c; 6) a; 7) d; 8) e; 9) c; 10) d
