Internet Safety

Canton students use technology in various ways throughout Canton Public Schools in our computer labs, classrooms, library's and throughout our spaces that have wireless capabilities.  Canton is CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act) compliant when our students access the Internet and are monitored for safe practices while accessing information on the Internet for school related curriculum or business.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Julie Shore, Director of Technology & Digital Learning at shorej@cantonma.org or 781-821-5060 ext 1158.

Basic Safety Rules

• Keep the computer (Desktop, Laptop, iPad, Kindle, Tablet, Smart Phone) in a common area, such as the kitchen, so you are able to easily monitor your child's activities.

• Become familiar with the Internet and services your child is using.  Many children and teens use websites unfamiliar to parents.  Many websites allow young people to create online profiles and post pictures, often times contain inappropriate content (substance abuse, harassment, bullying) and their level of detail makes it easy for predators to track down children.  Encourage their children to limit the details on their online profiles.

• Review the history folder (if possible on the device) in the browser with your child to review what websites he/she has accessed.  Reluctance to share this information usually means inappropriate content has been viewed. 

• Give your child a lesson on the unforgiving nature of the Internet.  Tell them to never send negative, threatening, or embarrassing message or photographs.  Everything said on the Internet creates their digital imprint and is on there forever, for anyone to see.  
   
• Most importantly, keep the lines of communication open with your child.  They may have questions about the Internet that you can help guide them in using their computer/device in appropriate ways.  The Internet is a great resource for our child to learn 24/7.

Digital Citizenship

Providing safe use of the internet is important, but creating responsible Digital Citizenship users is vital to all students when using the internet.  Digital Citizenship refers to the norms of appropriate, responsible technology use and how to act when online.  

Warning Signs that your Child May be Using the Internet Inappropriately

• When you enter a room, your child quickly clicks out of their webpage, chat room, email, instant message, changes the monitor's screen, or turns the computer off.

• Your child engages in Internet activity for long periods of time every day, often withdrawing from friends and family to be on the computer.

• Your child is using multiple screen names on the same account.

• Your child is receiving or making unexplained phones calls, whether to local, long distance or 800 numbers.

• You note a sharp decrease in your child's academic performances.

• Your child receives gifts or mail from an unknown or unexplained person.

• Your child demonstrates a sharp change in their behaviors and attitudes. 

• Your child is reluctant to let you use his/her computer, check his/her email or log on as someone else.