Larry Magid: Keeping Kids Safe On-Line

Larry Magid is the editor in chief of the Web sites SafeKids.com and SafeTeens.com. These sites give kids and teens guidance on how to stay safe online and provide resources for parents as well. This article discusses Magid's views of on-line safety for kids. Magid believes that the Internet is a very valuable tool, but kids need to be taught how to use it properly. Magid believes that blocking devices are not effective because kids find ways to get around them anyway. He believes that today, the Internet is a necessity and kids need to be exposed to it, but, at the same time, taught how to be a good on-line citizen. Magid also feels that controlling what kids see on the Internet is up to the parents' discretion. I agree with Larry Magid's views. These days, there is not getting away from the Internet. Students need to know how to safely use it to benefit his/her learning. It is up to the parents to control what they are exposed to until the student is old enough or responsible enough to make his/her own decisions. As teachers we have to make sure our students have a good foundation of knowledge about the Internet to fall back on so they can make good decisions.