Dear Parents and Guardians,
During second grade classroom guidance lessons this month, we are talking about Digital Citizenship and
Internet Safety. We are talking about staying safe online by choosing websites and apps that are appropriate for kids their age and avoiding ones that are not appropriate for them. Below is a diagram we are using to help us identify which websites/apps are “just right” for kids their age (“Green Websites”), which websites/apps they need to use caution as they use them to make sure it is “just right” for them (“Yellow Websites”), and which websites/apps are not appropriate for kids their age (“Red Websites”). It might be helpful to review the websites/apps your child uses to talk with them about whether they are “Red,” “Yellow”, or “Green” websites/apps. “Red Websites”
- A site that is not right for me
- Has pictures or words that are not
appropriate for kids my age “Yellow Websites”
- A site I’m not sure is right for me
- Lets me communicate with others using
the website or app
- Asks for “private information” like my
name, email address, payment information
- Lets me communicate freely with others
using the website or app
“Green Websites”
- Good site/app for kids my age
- Fun things for me to do and see
- Has appropriate words and pictures - Does not let me to talk to others
- Does not ask for “private information”
like my name, email address, address...
In our conversation, we are also reviewing several important internet safety tips. Examples include: - Never talk with or play games with people you do not know on the internet. Just as we would not talk to strangers in the community, we should not talk to or play games with strangers online. - Never post pictures or videos online without a parent’s consent. Also, never post pictures or videos of someone else without their consent. - Never buy anything online or make in-app purchases without a parent’s consent.
- Never put private information online without a parent’s consent. Private information includes: name, address, email address, phone number, where you go to school, parent’s credit card information... - When they are on a “Yellow Website/App,” they should regularly be checking in with their trusted adult so they can help determine which parts of the website/app are just right for kids their age. - If something makes you scared or uncomfortable, immediately close out of the program and tell your trusted adult.
CommonSense Media can be a helpful resource for parents to help navigate their child’s internet use. It includes
helpful reviews of websites, apps, video games, and more. The reviews include helpful information such as suggested age, level of violence and inappropriate content, and whether the app/website lets children connect with others also using the app/website. Here is a link to their website: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/reviews If you are looking for a review on a specific app/website, I found it most helpful to use the search feature in the top right corner of the screen.
On the attached page, I have included some of the apps/websites that the second graders shared that they use.
I included information on what we rated the app/website (‘red,’ ‘yellow,’ or ‘green’) and why we rated it that level. I hope this information is helpful for you in helping you help your child stay safe online. If you have questions or need additional ideas on resources, please contact me (Alfred- 324-3831; Lyman- 499-7228; or
[email protected])
Thank you, Jackie Chaplin School Counselor
Information adapted from: www.commonsensemedia.org
App
Green, Yellow,
Reason
or Red Website
Kidz A-Z
Green
Rated ‘E’; includes age-appropriate content for 7-8 yr olds
Sushi Monster
Green
Math game; appropriate for kids ages 7+
Flappy Bird
Green
Rated ‘E’
Splash Math
Green
Math game; appropriate for kids ages 7+
PBS Kids
Green/Yellow
App-version is rated E/age 7+; Web-version- some games let you talk to “friends”
Madden
Yellow
Rated ‘E’/ages 8+; The multi-player mode lets you talk to strangers online
Clumsy Ninja
Yellow
Rated ‘E’; lets you share pictures of your ‘ninja’ through Twitter and Facebook (which
Angry Birds
Yellow
Rated ‘E’/ages 7+; has an online gaming community (“Crystal Network”) that allows
online
are not apps/websites that are age-appropriate for a 7-8 yr old)
players to connect via Facebook/Twitter; post scores & achievements; and challenge others playing the game
Crossy Road
Yellow
Rated ‘E’/ages 7+; lets players share pictures with others via email/Twitter
Minecraft
Yellow
Rated’E’/ages 8+; lets players join others’ worlds which may include inappropriate
Netflix
Yellow/Red
The program does not really prevent kids from watching videos from another family
Youtube
Yellow/Red
The ‘kid-version’ is rated ages 7+; the ‘non-kid version’ is rated ‘T’/ages 13+.
Nascar
Red
Rated ‘E’/ages 10+; allows you to play others who are also playing the game; allows
Agar.io
Red
Rated ‘E’/ages 10+; lets players play against other players; lets players have
things
member’s profile; this allows access to content that is not age-appropriate
Allows video-sharing and the non-kid version can include inappropriate content
communication between players through Xbox Live; PlayStation
inappropriate usernames; lets players communicate in chat boxes where there can be foul language
Egg Baby
Red
Rated for kids ages 10+; In ‘Eggverse,’ players can visit the house/eggs/creatures of other players
