Internet Safety: For Kids!

Middle school student Katie narrates this semi-effective presentation on the cautions of Internet safety, which focuses on responsible web surfing, chat rooms, and e-mailing. The framing device finds Katie, along with two other classmates, working on an assignment to report on "Internet safety for kids," a project which includes talking with their parents and other family members about Internet usage. Topics covered include accessing porn and other adult-themed sites, the dangers of giving out personal info, inadvertently bringing up objectionable materials, identity theft, unwanted e-mail messages, risks associated with meeting someone in real life from online correspondence, and the many positive attributes of the Internet. In a budget-saving but narratively poor choice, nearly all of the dialogue from other characters (such as a teacher, various parents, and a police officer) is voiced-over by Katie (an awkward device, especially since we can see the other character's mouths saying the same words). The main benefit of the program comes at the end, when the trio of students present to the class eight primary rules of Internet protection (such as never send pictures, set rules and time limits for online usage, and talk with parents about concerns). Because the accurate and useful information presented here ultimately outweighs the questionable production choices, this is marginally recommended. [Note, also available at the same price, the companion volume, Internet Safety: For Adults.] Aud: I, P. (J. Williams)