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Technology Web Site Review
Wiredkids.org
http://www.wiredkids.org/
by Stephanie Gundry

Wiredkids.org is a web-based project devoted to the safety of kids and teens online. The site is comprised of a host of resources for those with an interest in young people, including law enforcement, teachers, parents, librarians and young people themselves.

The “Kids n’ Teens” section of the site has information about wiredkids.org and online safety, games and puzzles, stories and other activities. The child can also join wiredkids and then be granted access to wiredkids activities.

Teachers can use the site to ensure safety in their wired classrooms. The “Safe Surfing Contract” can be used by teachers to set a standard of safety and responsibility in the classroom regarding the computer and Internet. The site contains an index of online resources for teachers on this issue, including innovative computer projects for troubled students, teacher safety, plagiarism and pen pal programs.

The site offers a similar index of resources for parents. Parents can find information about web hoaxes, pornography, online gambling, ways to determine if you child is ready to chat online, filtering software, violence, plagiarism, finding credible resources on the web and much more.

The organization recently held its third annual Wired Kids Summit in Washington, DC. During the summit, strategies for keeping children safe online were discussed. “Wired Cops Awards” were presented to to the following law enforcement agencies: FBI, U.S. Customs, the U.S. Secret Service, The U.S. Postal Inspectors, the FTC and The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, for their work in policing the Internet and keeping children safe. They also presented awards to safe, educational web sites, which will be listed on the site in the future.

The site is recommended to anyone working with children who are online. Children can also use the site to develop responsible online habits that will ensure their safety. Please visit http://www.wiredkids.org/ and keep our children safe online.