Parents emphasize safety, not credibility online

eSchoolNews is reporting that while most parents at least talk with their kids about online safety and privacy issues, few address the academic concerns associated with research and learning on the Web, according to a recent study from Common Sense Media. According to the article,

The majority of parents and guardians said they have talked to their children about how to behave on the internet and have taken action to make sure the web sites their children visit meet parental standards.

While this study does not assess the way in which parents intervene in their kids' online lives, it is useful to note that parents are aware of the ubiquity of Web access for children, as well as its potential dangers and significant benefits. The National Parent Teacher Association also commented on the study:

"This poll underscores what we at the PTA have advocated for a long time--the vital importance of parents getting involved and engaged in their children's lives, online and offline," said Jan Harp Domene, president of the national Parent Teacher Association. She further suggested that parents need simple, specific, and age-appropriate tools and information to help them engage in their kids' online lives.

And here's where we come in. Obviously we should be reinforcing the safety and privacy messages for our students (especially elementary school children, as the study found that parents were far less likely to have spoken with younger kids). However, our larger role can be twofold. First, we need to teach kids to extract useful, credible, varied resources from the mess that is the World Wide Web. Secondly, we can provide education and tools to parents (as can our more savvy students). Parent education nights, free software, and other community programs can be great for PR, help our kids, and reinforce the role of schools as community hubs.