Online Learning – Keeping School Age Learners Safe
Online learning is growing massively in popularity, and is even the preferred choice of many young learners. Their parents sometimes have some reservations, including the fact that some feel that their kids spend enough time surfing the internet already. Also of concern is internet safety, which applies to any online activities, not just social networking outside school hours.
Responsible parents monitor their children’s internet usage. Though online learning is likely to offer fewer threats to personal safety than other activities, it is recommended that parents make sure they know what is going on. Online learning may extend further than simple one-to-one interactions with an online tutor, and a watchful eye is advisable.
Safety issues in online learning
Online learning, almost by definition, makes use of all the wonderful interactive possibilities that the web has to offer. It therefore may involve some of the same risks.
An obvious risk, though one that poses no personal safety threat, is that of computer viruses. Parents should ensure that their computer is protected with up-to-date antivirus and allied software. All websites today, including online learning sites, are vulnerable and viruses do not discriminate between high quality sites and others. Antivirus measures are not just to make sure that the home computer doesn’t crash, but also to make sure that others are not affected.
This should, of course, be standard practice for anyone using the internet. Similarly, using content control software that limits children’s access to unsuitable sites on the internet is something all parents should consider if their child is engaged in online learning.
Other internet safety issues are to do with important issues of personal safety. One of the advantages of online learning, and one that many online tutors may endorse, is community learning. Online tutors may encourage their students to participate in discussion forums and visit other internet learning places. Though rare, this does open up the possibility of cyber-bullying by peers, and even more rarely, abuse by internet stalkers and groomers of children.
Parents may wish to ask online tutors to specify what websites their children will be directed towards. They may also wish to specify that their child is not to be put into contact with other learners without express parental permission. Parents are also advised to impress upon their children the point made above: just because they are visiting online learning sites doesn’t mean that exercising the usual cautionary measures can be suspended. That includes giving out personal information, including telephone numbers and addresses.
In an age where many parents are extremely concerned about people who prey on children, there is also a need to exercise caution when hiring online tutors. Again, the chances of abuse are remote, but when it comes to children’s safety, it doesn’t hurt to be careful. Going through an agency or educational establishment that vets tutors is one option. If hiring through a private advertisement, parents should be sure to check references and testimonials. If there are any concerns, or if the tutoring will involve face-to-face meetings as well as online learning, a criminal records check may be appropriate in some circumstances.
