Lesson 2: Safety Issues on the use of ICT including e-Safety Rules

INTRODUCTION

Using technology is not a risk by itself, but how it is used will be vulnerable to risk. When
improperly used, it will pose danger to the users in school and at home. What are the safety
issues that are needed to be address by safety policy and guidelines? As future teachers do you
need to know all of these?

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Identify and explained safety issues on the use of ICT.

2. List and apply e-Safety rules in the use of ICT.

Some Risks in the use of ICT and e-Networking

Technology is a phenomenon that seems to be uncontrollable. Despite the so many benefits for
teaching and learning, there are also negative effects or influence on the learners. Hence, as
future teachers you have to be aware of how to safeguard learners in the school communities
where they spend most of their waking hours and also in their homes and facilities that provide
opportunities to use digital technologies like internet café’s. Safeguard and protection should be
the primordial role of parents, teachers and schools. There so many risks that we have to be
aware of in the use digital technologies. These may include the following:

1. Exposure to inappropriate content, including online pornography, extremism

(exposure to violence in associated with racist language).
2. Lifestyle websites like self-harms and suicide sites, and hate sites.
3. Cyber-bullying in all forms, receiving sexually explicit images or messages.
4. Privacy issues including disclosure of personal information.
5. Health and well- being ( amount of time spent online, internet gaming and many
more).
6. Prolonged exposure to online technologies, particularly at an early age.
7. Addiction to gambling and gaming.
8. Theft and Fraud from activities such as phishing
9. Viruses, Trojans, spyware and other malware; and
10. Social pressure to maintain online networks via texting and social networking sites.

Minor Misuse of ICT

In school, some minor misuse made by learners includes the following:

 Copying information into assignment and failing to acknowledge the source

plagiarism and copyright infringement.
 Downloading materials not relevant to their studies.
 Misconduct associated with subject logins, such as using someone else password.
  Leaving a mobile phones turned on during class period.
 Unauthorized taking of pictures or images with mobile phone camera, still moving.

E- safety

With all of the above concerns and many more, how do we control all of these so as to protect our
future generation?

E-safety takes care not only of internet technologies but also of electronic communications via
mobile phones, games and consoles and wireless technology. It highlights the need to educate children
and young people about the benefits, risks, and responsibilities of using information technology. H ere
are some safety issues of e-safety:

 e-safety helps safeguard children and young people in the digital world
 e-safety emphasizes learning to understand and new technologies in a positive way.
 e-safety educates children about the risk as well as the benefit so we can feel
confident online.
 e-safety supports young learners and adults to develop safer online behaviors both in
and out of school.

Network Management
1. Safety in the use of network in schools.

1.1 Make clear that no one should log on as another user.

1.2 Requires all users to always log off when they have finish working.

1.3 Maintain equipment to ensure health and safety.

1.4 Provide students with access to content and resources through guided e-learning.

1.5 Set up a clear disaster recovery system and place for critical data that includes secure
remote back up of critical data.

1.6 secure wireless network to appropriate standards suitable for educational use.

1.7 Install all computer equipment professionally and meet health and safety standards.

1.8 Review the school ICT system regularly with regard to health and safety and security.

2. Password Policy

Only authorized users will have individual password. User are not permitted to disclose their
password unless they have permission from the owner or from the management. The
equipment that keeps the personal information shall be lock when unattended to prevent
unauthorized access.
3. All mobile phone and mobile devices

3.1 All mobile phones shall be kept away in a box from the children or learners and access is only
allowed at breaktime or at the end of classes or when needed during the class period.

4. Cameras

4.1 Taking pictures only from parents or caregivers and not from any other family
member or friend while the child attends class.

4.2 Any picture taken of children shall be on cameras solely for the purpose.

Setting Up An Educational Technology Room

Schools that plan to dedicate a room where the students can assess technologies for learning
should include the following basic safety rules:

1. Provide tillable tables. These tables can tilt and adjusted to the height of the users.
2. Provide anti- glare screen filters.
3. Provide adjustable chairs.
4. Provide foot support.
5. Make sure lighting is suitable.
6. Make sure work stations are not cramped.
7. Plan work at computer so that there are frequent breaks.

More specifically safety rules that can reduce risk of accidents in the working stations should
include:

1. No trailing wires across or around the room which people can trip on.
2. Electrical sockets should not be overloaded.
3. Electrical equipment should be safety tested at least once a year.
4. There should be adequate space around desk for people to move.
5. Bags and obstacles should be stored out of the way.
6. Food and drinks should not be placed near machines.
7. Heating and ventilation should be suitable for the working environment.
8. Fire extinguishers should be available.
9. Fire exists should be clearly marked and free from clutter.
Prepared by:

Vel-Marie A. Carian

Discussant