About Us
FAQ
- How
did the idea for CyberSmart! originate?
From the beginning, CyberSmart! has addressed Internet safety from a very practical standpoint. In fact, the spark for creating the free CyberSmart! Student Curriculum came from the need for a practical solution to a personal problem. As working parents, the admonishments to "sit with your child when he/she is online" didn't work for us. We felt strongly that kids and teens themselves should develop the knowledge and skills needed to stay safe and secure online. Plus, we knew how critical a tool the Internet would eventually become, that navigating and using all that the Internet offers would define their future success in the work world.
So CyberSmart!'s motivation to address Internet safety comes from wanting to engage our own children in the digital world, not block it out of fear. This is the fundamental approach that carries through in our curriculum and our professional development: developing the critical thinking skills students need to use the Internet safely, ethically, and effectively.
- How
does the CyberSmart! approach to Internet safety differ from that offered
by law enforcement agencies?
Law enforcement agencies have been proactive in trying to prevent Internet-related crimes. We applaud them for their efforts. However, the law enforcement approach often involves scare tactics—mostly frightening the parents! CyberSmart! empowers students by giving them clear, direct information, strategies for handling uncomfortable online situations, and practice in the decision-making skills needed to stay safe—without scare tactics. We base our instruction on the most current research in the fields of online victimization and youth risk-taking and decision-making.