What teachers should talk to their students about safe use of internet in the classroom

Just as we teach children to be safe in the halls of our schools, crossing the street or driving a car, we must teach them to use the Internet safely. When you are teaching your students the safe way to use internet, the following questions should act as your guide. 
1. Do you treat others online with the same respect you would accord them in person?
2. Would your parents be disappointed in you if they examined your online behavior?
3. Does your online behavior accurately reflect who you are away from the computer?
4. Could your online behavior hinder your future college and employment prospects?
5. How could your online behavior affect current and future personal relationships?
I believe it’s your job as teachers to teach your students about digital literacy and ICT, equipping them with the tools to navigate an increasingly open digital world. This means making students aware of potential pitfalls and helping them to make good choices with current and emerging communication platforms.
What more can schools do to accomplish this goal? For starters, I propose rethinking content-filtering software that blocks access to Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn on school computers. For designated periods, teachers and students should have access to these sites, which real-world professionals depend on for communicating and conducting business. Once students graduate, they will increasingly rely on social networking to market themselves and their abilities, and it’s unfortunate that not more teachers offer formal training on how to do this effectively.
I also feel strongly that more teachers should become familiar with social networking tools, especially if they wish to earn respect and credibility with this tech-savvy, digital-native generation. Students learn best with effective modeling, and what better way than leading by example? In my ICT class, for instance, I show students how I use Twitter to make connections with like-minded educators. I also show them what messages I write, how I write them, and the responses I elicit. I show them how Facebook and LinkedIn can be used to promote ideas, while attracting more followers.
Teach your students about the differences between "pretend" and reality on the Internet. Many students like to pretend to be someone else while online. They feel anonymous, and sometimes take risks. Students need to understand that other people can also pretend to be someone else while online and sometimes they do it to hurt people. Students need to understand that real world rules and values apply on the Internet as they do in real life. Students are asserting their independence and learning to make their own decisions. It is normal for them to be interested in love and romance, and to seek adventure. But their brains are not yet fully developed, and they are capable of making impulsive decisions without fully grasping the consequences of their actions. We have to teach our students what types of personal information they are never to share on the Internet for example information about name, address, phone number, email address, school they attend without the approval of their teachers. The teachers need to emphasize that exchanging information with others online can be dangerous.
Finally build awareness instead of fear as you and your students discover how the power of the internet can be harnessed for safe learning and communication.

Abdallah Ziraba.
ICT and Education
+256700129561