internet safety reflections

Some people have strong feelings about being in the public domain (meaning their pictures, thoughts, interests... can be potentially accessed by people they don't know). Explain your feelings? How do we address these concerns as teachers and role models? How do we teach this?

Internet has changed and is constantly changing the way we work, communicate and think. I still remember an uneasy feeling I had when I was starting to use my first chat program. Even though it looked nothing like today's tools with sound, picture and video, I was somewhere new, not feeling too much in control. Being on internet these days does not feel that new and edgy anymore but I am still very much aware that it is very public. Paradoxically that openness and ability to connect so many people around the world in matter of second, to allow them to talk about and share so many ideas, to express themselves in a new and very direct way, are qualities and advantages that overshadow any downsides this kind of "mammoth" media might have. I think also that the question of safety on the Internet is constantly being addressed by producers of internet tools as well as by users . The fact that one can always chose privacy settings on Facebook or other social networks gives me a peace of mind.
However, as with all revolutionary human inventions we should always keep in mind that it is in human nature to invent, improve and use their creations in many positive ways but also to misuse and abuse them and that we should be aware of it. Being informed and use common sense are two main concepts I would advise my students to use while on Internet...and that is a big chunk of their day!!!!Those two concepts are the same ones we need when living in a big city.