On the Our First Talk About Online Safety introduces children to the basics of online safety in a story-based, conversational style. Using real-world examples set within the context of a child who is using the Internet for the first time and watching an older sibling interact with social media, Dr. Roberts takes readers through several common scenarios around parental supervision, online bullying and anonymity. She also includes examples of people who use the Internet to make the world a better place. On the Internet addresses common safety concerns in a child-centered way and offers easy-to-understand rationales as to why it's important to maintain boundaries online just as in real life.
Internet safety is important, to be sure. And this book points out all the bad things that can happen out there. If act, I love how at a certain point the questions is asked, basically, is there anything good happening online?
To, which, the answer is yes.
This book has basic principles to follow and should probably be something an adult goes over with the child, anyway, so this is a good way to bring up all the rules to follow.
Good book to have in libraries or the classroom, as an opportunity that could lead to some good discussions. Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Another good book from the On the... series. A series that present social issue to kids. Always well explain, with the right vocabulary, the good way to facing the issue and presenting serious and important issues. A love this series and I love this book, who focus on Internet potential problem (intimation, stalker/predator and personal information protection).
This review was originally posted on my blog, Mad Book Love
Geared towards children between the ages of 5 to 8, On the Internet: Our First Talk about Online Safety was written by an educator and child psychologist to help young children understand how to stay safe online.
This is definitely not a book you buy for your child to read alone or for enjoyment. It is a tool to teach your children about being online and being on social media, a book that should be read together and discussed. As a parent of three 8-year-olds who do have access to technology (managed by us to the degree that it’s possible), I am so glad a book like this is out there.
The author makes an interesting point about being in a weird place generationally, where parents with children in this age group didn’t have such free access to technology when they were kids and don’t necessarily know how to navigate these discussions or how to keep their kids safe online. I’m old enough to remember when internet access first started to roll out to the public, when cell phones started to become a “thing”, but my youngest kids have always lived in a world brimming with technology. It is a part of everyday life and it isn’t going away, so we really need to teach them about both the good and bad of going online, who to talk to if they see something that makes them uncomfortable, why their parents put restrictions on their access and screen time, etc. This book is a fabulous way to start that conversation.
Everything about this book is clear and accessible, helpful to kids and parents alike. It focuses on what to be mindful of but doesn’t ignore the wonderful things the online world brings as well. It talks about boundaries, what to look out for, how to handle their worry or fear and redirect it into something positive. And it reminds children several times that they can create change by setting a good example for their peers.
Not only will I be ordering a copy of this book for my family, I’m going to grab the other three in the series to boot - On Our Street: Our First Talk About Poverty, On the News: Our First Talk About Tragedy, and On the Playground: Our First Talk About Prejudice.
Note: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.
How do we approach our young children in regards to Internet Safety? Using a conversational approach with real-world examples this book is a great tool for parents.
As a teacher, I appreciated the real-world examples and the format it was written in. The language is simple enough for even the youngest to understand and the examples with pictures will help everyone understand what is being discussed.
I plan on buying this for several friends who have young kids that will be getting on the internet more and more for school. I will feel like a better friend for helping make sure they are as safe as we can make them on the internet.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Orca Book Publishers through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Another great venture into handling difficult topics. Dr. Roberts explores boundaries in today's online age. Approached in a question and answer format, this book briefly explains cyberbullying, internet use, and respect in an online world. The only complaint I have with this book is that, in my experience, children today do not use Facebook and many of the answers refer specifically to Facebook. This would be a great addition to a classroom or school counselor setting.
When we put technology in the hands of children, we need to do it with the awareness that social media involves a lot of concepts that children are not prepared to handle. Many parents did not participate in social media themselves as youngsters, and so they are not always prepared for the difficulties that may arise. With that in mind, Dr. Jillian Roberts, a former schoolteacher and practicing psychologist has written a book to help guide the needed discussions. The book is illustrated with both photographs and child friendly drawings. It includes questions children might ask, answers that an adult can help to interpret, and explanations for terms like “boundaries,” “inappropriate,” and “online bullying.” It also includes positive examples of using social media for good. It is a book intended to initiate discussion between parent and child.
On the Internet: Our First Talk about Online Safety is well written and illustrated, and I recommend it. My personal opinion, however, is that children in grades one through three, the suggested audience for this book, are too young to use social media independently. I suggest that it is not too early to begin the discussion as social media and its accompanying problems are pervasive in our society. Young children hear others talking about this technology and may see older siblings using it. Discussion of online issues not only prepares children for future exposure, but also opens up opportunities to discuss the basics of friendship and bullying as they occur outside of social media.
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Orca Book Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
On the Internet - Jillian Roberts - 5 In today's world every student should have this book as required reading. The author puts things simply, so it’s easy to understand. It pulls no punches and is honest when it says that sometimes bad things exist and we can do little about it, but it is the way in which it is written that works so well. Mixing illustrations as well as real pictures helps make the information seem real and not just another weird warning for adults. I am very serious when I say, not just one-to-one school but all schools should make this required reading before they give their students a device, I mean it. Parents, beat them to it, and get a copy to keep at home for your kids, and the neighbors.
What a wonderful book on safety on the internet. I am definately going to read this to my Granddaughter. It is told in a way that children will understand. I like how it goes into safety and boundries. The little explainations and meanings on the side are very much appreciated. In the world today you have to be so careful when it comes to the internet for children. I really thank the author for doing this book. I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This isn't going to make an exciting read-aloud, but it has really good information in it and it's written in a way that's kid-friendly. I might start this in 3rd grade. One page is a question that a child might ask and the next page answers the question. Most pages have extra information about the topic in a box off to the side. Real photographs are used to represent the topic and drawings of children are also included to coincide with the page theme. (It took about 5 1/2 minutes to read aloud intro page and 4 of the question pages (which was 9 pgs out of 26 pgs). Topics covered: *how can internet be unsafe? (inappropriate, parental controls) *why people put inappropriate things online? *boundaries crossing them online (privacy, good judgement) *online bullying *items online aren't necessarily private and may not be able to be erased *making friends online *feeling uncomfortable online *positive internet uses (crowdfunding, Braeden Quinn) *how to us the internet beneficially (Malala Yousafzai) *Social Media Guidelines
A great thing about this book (and the others in the series) is the diversity represented in the images. This book begins with a simple explanation of what the internet is and proceeds into a conversation about boundaries for its use. It discusses online bullying and the problems with retracting what you post. It addresses safety issues with respect to online friendships. Like the other books in the series, it focuses on the importance of telling a trusted adult if something makes you uncomfortable. It also acknowledges that the internet can be used as a learning tool and as a way to do good in the world. The back matter contains a note from the author and a page of additional resources. The checklist for how to comport oneself while online is one that older students and adults should follow.
Here's a kid-friendly, realistic, and practical book that aims to help children protect themselves online.
Cleverly, Dr. Roberts uses examples of situations that might happen to a child who is learning how to use the Internet.
I really like this question, for instance:
"My parents told me I can only go online if an adult is nearby to sueprvise. How can the Internet be unsafe if it's inside my computer?"
Kids learn useful concepts like GOOD JUDGMENT and BOUNDARIES. Sadly, some of the kids pictured in this book look too young to understand such concepts, even though they're well explained here. Let alone to apply these concepts.
FIVE STARS, though. This book can't hurt, and it might help.
This is superbly done. Roberts writes in a way that is clear enough to understand but also protects innocence. This won't hurt kids in the information related or spark undesired curiosity, but it will arm them with some very important skills as they navigate the world online. I was very impressed by not only how tactfully it was written but how thoroughly it covers the basics of online safety. As with all the books in this series, there are two levels of text. There's a basic, simple text accompanied by photographs and side and lower text boxes with supplemental information for kids with longer attention spans that is accompanied by illustrations. Highly recommended to anyone who has kids or works with kids.
An excellent and necessary book that teaches kids about healthy internet use, boundaries, and staying safe online. Great as an intro with little ones or as a jumping-off point into deeper topics with older kids. I know more parents are needing to deal with this since our world became even more online during the pandemic. This is a great tool to start managing a healthy internet life, for kids and for adults too!
I think this is a well presented and thought out first look at online safety. This is perfect for a 7-10 year old who is starting to encounter more online content through school, friends and older siblings. This is a good thing to read as a family before a child gets a first phone, computer or starts exploring social media platforms.
Bought for JE 004.678 at a public library. Of all the books I have seen about online safety, and as a youth technology librarian that has been a lot, this is the very best one for the younger set.