For students, the new school year means tons of book reports, term papers and research work, but thanks to the Internet, a student’s workload becomes easier and more manageable. With Internet cafés in almost every street and the number of Internet users growing exponentially every year, we can say that the Internet is fast-becoming a staple educational resource.
However, researching in the Internet both has a good and bad side. With an abundance of information that is readily available and easily accessible, users, especially students, are exposed to threats that are present online. There are also instances where the youth, when caught unaware, may be tempted to plagiarize or download files that are not meant for sharing. This is why it is important to educate the youth on cyber ethics and cyber safety.
This new school year, students, educators and parents have a partner in making the online experience safer and more enriching. The Business Software Alliance (BSA), a non-profit organization that aims to promote a safe and legal digital world, created B4USurf, a resource website advocating cyber ethics and cyber safety.
The youth will find the website fun and helpful with quizzes and games on the proper use of the Internet as well as the dangers lurking in cyber space. Educators and parents can also get valuable information from a wide array of resources available on the site, which they may use to reinforce the value of cyber ethics to their students and children.
www.b4usurf.org is the weblink that provides access to resources that will contribute to fostering responsible Internet usage. Tarun Sawney of the BSA enthused, “With B4USurf, we are not only teaching students about rules, we are also taking part in molding the youth into informed, honest and responsible individuals.”
Sam Concepcion, DepEd role model for the youth and official B4USurf spokesperson in the Philippines encourages the youth to check out the website. “We spend a lot of time online and it’s good to know the proper way of using the Internet ‑ this way, using the Internet will not only be fun, but more importantly, safe.”
“To all students, educators and parents, this website was made for you, to use as a guide whenever you go online, and a resource center on cyber ethics and cyber safety. Your online experience will soon be more enriching and secure. — Business Software Alliance