Miller Middle School Students Learn About Internet Safety

Students at M. Clifford Miller Middle School got an expert lesson in Internet safety when Mark T. Hoops, a senior consumer fraud representative from the office of the State Attorney General, presented three assemblies at the school.

Grades Six through Eight each had separate assemblies, and students received age-appropriate advice about conducting themselves online.

Educating students about staying safe on the Internet can be a challenge, especially since many pre-teens and teens are more familiar with social networking sites, like MySpace and Facebook, than their parents and teachers. The Internet can be an immense and valuable resource that exposes students to new ideas, different cultures, and the infinite possibilities of a connected world.

Learning new skills, exploring educational opportunities, and looking for jobs all take place online, but dangers like online predators, identity theft, and cyber bullies also lurk in the shadows.

Mr. Hoops shared the consequences of using technology improperly, and answered students’ questions about what is safe online—and what isn’t—in a friendly interactive assembly. He urged students to “empower themselves with restraint” and reminded them that the silly photos they post of themselves online could one day show up when potential employers research their backgrounds.

“What you do online will stay with you,” said Mr. Hoops. “Think twice before you hit the send key.”