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Cybersafety front & center

in NEWESD 101 region

If someone had asked you 10 years ago to define the key elements of student safety, what would you have said … locked doors, well monitored hallways? What would you say if asked the question now? A common answer today might be a term few people had ever heard 10 years ago – cybersafety, or staying safe online.

Cyberbullying and harassment, identity theft, sexting and online predation are among the threats posed by recent advances in technology. And as with most threats, educators know their best defense is prevention. In Eastern Washington, NEWESD 101 has enlisted the support of a new cohort of technology experts to tackle the problem – middle school and high school students.

NEWESD 101 districts are participating in a Department of Justice Internet safety grant awarded to the Northeast Washington Council, a non-profit foundation affiliated with NEWESD 101. The grant has allowed districts to undertake a multi-faceted program educating parents and community members, school staff and students. Included is a student mentoring program in which middle school and high school students educate their peers, younger students, and parents on how to recognize and avoid threats.

Students already are spreading the message through classroom presentations, assemblies, videos, brochures and other activities. In May, they held a public forum attended by 50 parents and community members. Some of their key tips: keep your passwords private; never give out personal information; don't share photos with people you meet online; always delete unknown e-mail attachments without opening them; never make plans to meet an online "friend" in person; and when in doubt, always ask for help and just log off.

For more information on the NEWESD 101 program, contact Brent Howard at (509) 323-2734 or bhoward@esd101.net.

~Steve Witter, 101 Executive Director, Telecommunications, Public Affairs, Grants