Google launches program to teach internet safety to children and adults

Google has announced a “Be Internet Awesome” campaign designed to teach best internet practices to children and adults.

In a blog post, Google said there are five key principles that the “Be Internet Awesome” campaign is focused on:

• “Be Internet Smart” – be mindful of what is shared online
• “Be Internet Alert” – recognize and avoid fake links
• “Be Internet Strong” – secure private information
• “Be Internet Kind” – do not cyber bully
• “Be Internet Brave” – when in doubt, ask someone

Google’s blog post also outlined how these five principles were implemented into a variety of resources that can be used by anyone.

Kids

Google has launched a free web-based game called Interland, which lets players explore a cartoon world to “deny hackers, sink phishers, one-up cyberbullies and outsmart oversharers.” Interland can be played here.

For teachers

Designed with the Internet Keep Safe Coalition, Google is also offering a curriculum for educators that can be used to teach students better safe internet usage practices. “Building these skills in our students will require ongoing attention as new technologies pose challenges and opportunities for students both at home and at school,” Carolyn Sykora, senior director of standards at ISTE told Google. “Be Internet Awesome provides materials educators and parents can use to help students learn about online safety in a fun and engaging way.”

For families

Google says it wants to get a conversation going between children and their families, and to do so, it’s teamed up with a number of YouTube creators, including John Green, the What’s Inside? Family and MinutePhysics. With this partnership, it’s created the #BeInternetAwesome Challenge, a video series aimed at making discussions easier and more fun. Families can also sign the Be Internet Awesome Pledge for additional guidelines.

Source: Google Blog