Teacher-Librarian

Slashdot | Proxy Sites Offer Secret Passage to Myspace

Links from this post to several different articles discussiong the activities that schools and universities are already taking to block student access to Myspace. 

Here’s my letter to Senator Stevens.  Much to my dismay he appears to be the sponsor of the DOPA bill.  My letter to Senator Murkowski was much the same.

Dear Senator Stevens,

 

I am the School Library Media Specialist at Colony Middle School in Palmer, Alaska.  I am sure that you believe that the DOPA legislation will help protect students from the extreme dangers of the Internet.  Yes, I agree that there is some potential to encounter online “predators,” especially from places like Myspace, but DOPA is not the answer.  Teachers, schools, districts and Universities are already aware of the hazards of some of these places and have already taken action to prevent student access. 

 

To go beyond preventing access Mat-Su school district has subscribed to a curriculum called iSafe (http://www.isafe.org/ )that is taught to students through the school libraries and classrooms. iSafe also has a program for parents, and many schools educate parents about Internet hazards and safety through PTA and other parent forums. 

 

The DOPA legislation will do nothing to improve what schools are already doing to help keep students safe.  Students must learn how to keep themselves safe.  Parents must learn what the dangers are and how to reinforce the importance of safe Internet use with their children.  Teachers and librarians do this consistently when using the Internet as a resource for learning.

 

Learning is the key word here.  The Internet, including some “social networks” offer tremendous learning opportunities that totally motivate students to read, write and think.  Educators all over are discovering the learning power of the read/write web, and how to do it safely.  We are working to teach students how to be productive citizens in their future.  A future that will rely on their ability to work with whatever new technology develops.  They must learn how to make technology work for them and their community.

 

Please remove the DOPA legislation from the Senate vote, and work to empower schools to improve Internet safety education.  The key to a healthy, productive society is education- not restriction.

it’s something at least!