Ten Ways to Stay Safe on the Internet

Reviews

Young adults Victoria and Nick host this enlightening program that helps viewers understand and avoid the consequences of putting personal information and photos on the Internet. Various teens share their experiences, and the hosts present guidelines on such topics as privacy settings and password protection. Viewers are cautioned that “there is no privacy on the Internet,” even when postings and photographs are deleted. The dangers of texting while driving are emphasized, and information about tracking technologies and online bullying is also included. Terms are carefully defined, with examples making terminology more accessible. That colleges and employers often look to social media to help screen candidates is one more reason to be careful with online postings. Offering teen-friendly advice and information, this is a valuable classroom resource. Includes an educators’ guide, student handouts, and tests in digital format.

— Nancy McCray, Booklist

This program is snappy and fast-paced, but it never skims over important information. Two young hosts present the 10 topics and provide segues, while four students are interviewed about their use of social media and their online lives. The information covers privacy settings, passwords, texting while driving, giving out your location, catfishing, anonymous apps, sexting, cyberbullying, phishing scams, and downloading safety. Common sense suggestions for how to conduct your digital life make up the bulk of the advice: Do not post anything you do not want the world to see. Nothing posted online is truly anonymous. Postings are forever, no matter what users are told, and if you encounter a cyberbully, turn to a trusted adult. The program often uses screenshots of apps to explain how to work with privacy settings. The devices shown and the apps discussed may go out of favor (or out of business) as social media and technology change, which will date this DVD fairly soon. However, everything about it—the images, the sound mix, the script, the editing, and the presenters—is top-notch. VERDICT This is an excellent entry in the online safety program category. Use it sooner rather than later.

—Geri Diorio, Ridgefield Library, CT
School Library Journal