Trooper Wittner recently spoke to all of the K-4 students about internet safety during their time in the computer lab. K-2 was given one presentation, while 3-4 was given another. Both presentations were from Netsmartz. (photos provided by Netsmartz) 

The children in K-2, were introduced to “Clicky”

Trooper Wittner and Clicky talked about two basic rules. First, always tell an adult you trust if something or someone makes you feel scared, uncomfortable or confused, and second, ask your parents or guardian for permission before sharing your personal information.

The children went to “Webville,” where they helped "Trooper Clicky" round-up “Look-at-Dis Louie” and “Want-to-Know Wally” and put them in jail, for being bad “Netizens”

“Look-at-Dis Louie” sends mean and ugly things in e-mail - things that kids do not want to see.

“Want-to-Know Wally” is a snoop and wants to know everything about the child and their family. This includes their names, their parent’s names, their address and telephone number.

Trooper Wittner and Trooper Clicky discussed with the children what to do if anyone asks for their personal information; anyone makes them feel scared, uncomfortable or confused; or they receive an email from someone they do not know.

The 3rd and 4th graders met Trooper Wittner’s friends “Nettie” and her younger brother “Webster.”

Trooper Wittner, Nettie and Webster introduced the kids to the “bad guys” of the internet. They are called “Wizzy Wigs”. This comes from “WYSIWYG”, or “What You See Isn’t What You Get.”

The students were told about Spamozoid, Hot Head, Oogle, Numbutt and Follow-You Fiona.

• “Spamozoid” sends emails to everyone, even people they do not know. They include creepy pictures and viruses, which can be bad for your computer.

• “Hot Head” uses mean and ugly words to burn people when they are communicating on the internet.

• “Oogle” hangs out in the web and watches where you go, and try to figure out how to get a hold of your personal information.

• “Numbut” stays glued to their computer screens (including Game Boys, X-Bots, Play Station 2, Nintendo and television). They do not go outside much, to play with their friends, or do anything.

• “Follow-You Fiona” is the most dangerous of the Wizzy Wigs. “Follow-You Fionas” hang out on the internet and pretend to be your friends. They want you to tell them your name, address and telephone numbers.

They played “Who’s Your Friend on the Internet.” After listening to three different potential “friends” describe themselves, the class then picked a curtain for the person who they would want to be their “friend.” The children discovered that all of the potential “friends” were Wizzy Wigs and learned that “on the web” you can never tell whom you are talking to.

Trooper Wittner, Nettie and Webster went over three basic rules. 

• “I will not meet in person with anyone I first “met” on-line.” 

• “I will always tell an adult I trust if anyone or anything makes me feel scared, uncomfortable or confused.”

• “I will ask my parent or guardian before I share my personal information.”

They then played “Which Wizzy Wig is Which.” In this game, the children were given clues so they could try to figure out which Wizzy Wig was being described.

Visit more "kid safe Web sites".

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