"The Web" is the most popular place for kids to visit on the Internet. A Web site consists of a “page,” or a collection of pages, containing text, pictures, links for downloading games, music or software and sound and video clips. There are literally millions of sites on the Web, which can be accessed using software on your computer called a Web “browser” (such as Internet Explorer, Safari and Firefox).

The Web is different from other media in that it offers kids the ability to create their own content. Young people use the Web to explore and display their creativity in very exciting ways — creating online movies, music, Web sites, e-zines (magazines) and blogs or online diaries.

However, the Web has its downside. When surfing it’s easy to come across sites containing pornography, hate, violence and illegal and dangerous content and activities. Children’s privacy can be at risk both from commercial sites that ask for personal information, and when kids themselves post contact information or photos on their own Web sites.

With millions of pages already published, and thousands more being posted every day, finding accurate online information can be an intimidating task. Since anyone can publish their views online, the Web contains a great deal of inaccurate and misleading information. Studies show that young people tend to believe that “if it’s on a computer it must be true,” so it’s important to teach students to question what they read online.

If young people have their own Web sites, it’s important that they learn to respect copyright by not stealing from other sites and to never post anything mean or threatening about another person.

Classroom lessons and activities:

• Are You Web Aware? - Web Sites is a classroom activity for students in grades 8-10.
  
  
• Jo Cool or Jo Fool (for grades 6-8)
  This interactive online game takes students through a series of mock sites that test their savvy surfing skills.
  
  
• With your students, create a class Web site to keep parents up-to-date on your activities and homework assignments.

Internet 101
Web sites | E-mail | Instant messaging | Social Networking and Virtual Environments | File-sharing | Text messaging