Cyber Safety & Security Resources

1. Educate Your Child About Online Risks
   Discuss the importance of protecting personal information, recognizing suspicious activity, and understanding that not everything online is true.

2. Set Clear Guidelines

   • Establish screen time limits.
   • Create rules for which apps, games, and websites are allowed.
   • Encourage open conversations about their online experiences.

3. Monitor Online Activity
   Use parental controls or monitoring software to oversee your child’s online interactions, while respecting their privacy as they grow older.

4. Stay Involved
   Regularly review their social media profiles, friend lists, and the content they post to ensure it aligns with safe online behavior.

5. Encourage Strong Passwords
   Teach your child how to create strong, unique passwords and the importance of not sharing them with anyone except parents or trusted guardians.

6. Be Wary of Cyberbullying and Predators
   Encourage your child to speak up if they experience or witness cyberbullying. Report inappropriate or suspicious behavior immediately.

7. Promote Digital Citizenship
   Teach respect and kindness in all online interactions. Being a responsible digital citizen includes not sharing harmful or unverified information.

At Windber Area School District, we are committed to creating a safe and supportive online environment for all students. To achieve this, we employ advanced tools to monitor and protect students as they navigate the digital world.

• Gaggle
  Gaggle is an online safety management tool designed to help protect students using school-provided platforms like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. It uses AI technology and human reviewers to monitor student activity, flagging inappropriate content, potential threats of self-harm, bullying, and other concerns. This ensures early intervention when students may be at risk, helping to keep them safe and supported.

• GoGuardian
  GoGuardian is a comprehensive platform that helps monitor student activity on school-issued devices. It ensures that students stay focused on educational content by filtering inappropriate websites, blocking harmful content, and providing real-time insights into online behavior. GoGuardian also offers tools for teachers to manage classroom technology, ensuring a productive and secure learning environment.

These tools, combined with our Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), create a robust system of support to ensure student safety and promote responsible online behavior.

If you have any questions or concerns about these tools or how they are used, please contact our district Technology Director, Mr. Frank Tallyen at [email protected]

Together, we can foster a safe and enriching online experience for all students!

Empowering families with knowledge and tools is a key part of keeping students safe online. Below are trusted resources to help families navigate the digital landscape effectively:

• Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI): fosi.org
  Provides tips, tools, and resources to help families create safer online experiences.

• The Carly Ryan Foundation: carlyryanfoundation.com
  Focused on promoting online safety for young people through education and awareness.

• Common Sense Media: commonsensemedia.org
  Offers guides, reviews, and tips to help families make informed decisions about apps, games, and media.

• Google Safety Center: safety.google
  Tools and tips to help families manage their online security and privacy across Google platforms.

• Meta Safety Center (formerly Facebook): facebook.com/safety
  Resources to help families manage online interactions and privacy settings on Meta platforms.

• Snapchat Safety Center: HTTP://parents.snapchat.com/ 
  Information on how to use Snapchat responsibly and report concerns.

• Roblox Safety Center: https://corp.roblox.com/families
  Guidance on creating a safe and positive experience on Roblox, including parental controls and safety tips.

• Take It Down Campaign: https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/
  A free, anonymous service to help individuals remove or stop the online sharing of explicit images and videos.

• HSI's “Know to Protect” Campaign: https://www.dhs.gov/know2protect
  Resources from Homeland Security Investigations to educate families on internet safety and exploitation prevention.

• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC): missingkids.org
  Offers tools, resources, and support for preventing child exploitation and responding to safety concerns.

• HSI's Blue Campaign (Human Trafficking Resources): https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign
  A national public awareness campaign providing resources to recognize and respond to human trafficking.

These resources, along with conversations at home and active participation in your child’s digital life, will help ensure a safer and more positive online experience for the whole family.