The internet is a great place to access trustworthy resources (like the ones you’ll find here!), but it is also a place where cyberbullying, inappropriate content, scams, misinformation and more thrive. Your child is just learning to navigate the world, including the internet. While you may be able to monitor their internet usage at home, laptops, iPads, desktop computers, and phones are more easily accessible than ever. It is important your child understands the risks as well as the benefits of having access to the internet so they can protect themselves when you are not around. This list of resources includes information about online sharing – what should and shouldn’t be shared – and how to navigate social media safely. Additionally, it includes teaching tools for parents and caregivers that focus on the importance of internet safety.
This is a webpage that has modules to discuss the following topics: what information is safe to share online and how to manage it, how to develop trust with people you meet online, how to find and maintain online friendship, online dating, how to deal with rejection and other negative interaction, criminal/legal issues and misleading aspects of pornography. There is an audio feature.
Source: OAR (Organization for Autism Research)
This is a one page handout to reviewing the rules of social media safety. Language is clear and concise to aid in understanding.
Source: Advocate Medical Group Adult Down Sydrome Center
This is a one page handout on "What can I share on Social Media?". This one pager has some prompting questions for youth to reflect on when determining if they should post something on social media.
Source: Advocate Medical Group Adult Down Sydrome Center
This is a resource for parents and educators of youth with disabilities on how to support youth with internet safety. This resource shares a few simple methods parents can use to help kids practice the self-protection skills—including how to recognize red flag feelings, identify typical internet trouble spots, and general internet best practices. Commonsense Media also has a parent tips section and lesson plans that can be adapted for youth.
Source: Commonsense Media
This guide, developed in the UK, helps youth with disabilities understand the internet and how to stay safe online. It provides a wordbank to assist with some of the language.
Source: Care Management Group
This is a resource assists parents in navigating social media with their youth. This resource lists different types of social media, discusses potential benefits and harm, and provides tips to parents for monitoring social media activity.
Source: PEATC
This guide provides information to help parents keep their kids safe and also provides information on sexual exploitation. it provides information on sexual exploitation. There is a list of vocabulary words with definitions to help guide understanding. Parents can review the 'adjust privacy settings' section at the end so they can help their youth set up private social media pages. Youth can also follow the steps to independently make their accounts private.
Source: ECPAT
This guide outlines some suggestions to help parents reduce the risk of their child having negative experiences online and understand what action can be taken if they do. This guide also suggests some resources that will help children get the most out of the Internet at home and in the community. The guide will present some case studies of actual experiences people with learning disabilities and autism have had online and learning points that can be taken from these experiences.
Source: CEREBA
This is a great resource for educators to learn how to talk about internet safety with their students. It provides information on the risks, tips to be safe and research regarding youth with disabilities and the internet.
Source: AIR PowerUp WHAT WORKS
This resource is very word heavy. But, it does provide a lot of links to specific topics of internet safety. This resource also offers checklists, games and quizes to aid in understanding.
Source: Hotspot Shield
Youth can play interactive games to learn about internet safety.
Source: NetSmartzKids
These interactive lessons, adapted from Digital Citizenship, are designed to teach youth to identify online risk and develop healthy online relationships. The lessons are adapted for youth ages 10 to 21 with IDD.
Source: Commonsense Media