The enclosed blog post link contains a good perspective on the risk of using the Internet.

"We don't take a "zero risk" approach with our sports programs where the chance of injury, paralysis, and, in rare cases, death, is always present. We don't take that approach with field trips where students travel to museums and historical sites in locations where they might be touched by crime. We don't take that approach with recess on our playgrounds, or transporting our kids to and from school.

We can never eliminate all risk; but there are ways to maximize our students' safety while using these incredibly powerful tools. Each tool needs to be analyzed individually to ascertain its benefits and the specific risks it might present. From there, thoughtful people can find solutions to the student safety issues that may arise."

Every once in awhile I come across a great blog post that captures how things are changing in our use of information. Joyce Valenza, an ex-librarian, captures the past, present, and future of libraries.

This link takes you to Joyce's blog post: "You'd better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone, For the times they are a changin"

Reprinted with permission from "Parent Resources:Media and Technology" National PTA website, www.pta.org.

The Internet is a valuable educational and social resource for children. However, it can also expose our children to danger through their discovery of inappropriate materials and experiences. Though the public debate over Internet safety has been cast in terms of whether or not filters are desirable or effective, the most important way to keep kids safe on the Internet is to teach them to make wise choices about what they view and what they participate in, such as chat rooms. The ability to make responsible choices is important since the Web can be accessed ubiquitously—in the home, school, or library.