Schools and universities should do more to teach students about web safety and protect them from online predators, according to a recent FCC study.

And in a recent poll, EducationTechNews readers supported FCC’s findings: A whopping 49% said their schools do not teach any web safety lessons!

In light of cyberbullying and sexting issues in schools, it’s probably a good time to starting addressing web safety with students.

Looking for options?

Good news: Schools have several options to bring online safety lessons to students. Here are seven web safety experts that can help:

1. Denise Pellow is an author and cybersafety examiner at KidsBeSafeOnline. The web site helps schools stay up to date on legislation on cyber-related issues. Her book, Five Dangerous Trends Concerning Kinds, Technology and the Internet, lists online obstacles that today’s students face. Pellow was recently interviewed on Great Day St. Louis. Her book and web site were also featured in Better Homes and Gardens.
2. Jill Brown founded ItsMyLocker. The website is a cool, safe social networking site for students. It is intended to be used by existing communities – kids that are already friends, classmates, teammates, etc. The site does not allow cyberbullying, and every page has a “report” button so inappropriate comments can be addressed immediately. ItsMyLocker was recently recognized on Great Day St. Louis.
3. Richard Guerry is the executive director of The Institute for Responsible Online and Cellphone Communication (IROC2), a nonprofit organization that strives to teach “2.1C” — a 21st century mindset for online responsibility.  The Institute’s Speakers’ Bureau travels to schools across the country to present “IROC2 Responsibility 2.1C Concerts.”  No school is ever denied access to the program due to an inability to pay. Guerry was a featured speaker in “A Thin Line,” MTV’s recent Web safety initiative. He was also recently interviewed on CNN.
4. Katie Weaver is an information security specialist at Awareity. The company uses Managed Ongoing Awareness & Trust (MOAT) security modules that track and report cybersecurity risks (viruses, spyware and bots) Internet safety,  e-mail and password security, information disposal, mobile device usage and identity theft.  Recently, Radford University in Virginia replaced its instructor led security training with MOAT.
5. JA Hitchcock is the president of Working to Halt Online Abuse (WHO@KTD), a volunteer organization. Founded in 1997, WHO@KTD to fight online bullying, harassment and stalking. Hitchcock speaks at schools across the country, teaching students about online safety. She is also the author of eight cybercrime books.
6. Ken Knapton is a digital safety expert, and he serves on a Charter school board.  His book, Cyber Safety: Maintaining Morality in a Digital World, shares ways students can avoid online risks, from cyberbullies to identity thieves. The Internet safety advocates at Symantec Corporation called the book “an excellent resource.”
7. Connie Butera is a safety advocate at MyWebSafety.com, which offers web safety software that includes a 4,000 word database to check for sexting, cyberbullying, suicide, gun threat phrases and online predators. It also blocks illicit content and sends notifications if these areas of concern are identified.

Do you have any other web safety experts you’d recommend? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.

Tags: Awareity, Cyber Safety: Maintaining Morality in a Digital World, cyberbullying, IROC2, ItsMyLocker, Kids Be Safe Online, MyWebSafety, sexting, student safety, Working to Halt Online Abuse