Lesson Pathways has been designed to provide a fun, safe educational journey for you and your child.

Lesson Pathways resources have been carefully chosen and screened for their educational value and appropriateness for families teaching their children. As you travel Pathways with your child, however, remember these safety tips for keeping your child safe online:

1.  Set rules for using the Internet. Decide when your child can be online and whether you want him to visit any websites other than those that lead from Lesson Pathways.

2.  Keep the computer out of your child’s bedroom and in open, well-trafficked family areas. Your child will be less likely to view or access inappropriate material if your computer is out in the open.

3.  Instruct your child to avoid clicking on links in articles or advertisements without asking you first. While an article leading from a Pathway is prescreened for your child, other links or advertisements on websites may lead to inappropriate material.

4.  Tell your child not to download any sort of files without your permission.

5.  Teach your child what to do if he comes across objectionable material. Show your child how to turn off the computer monitor, and instruct him to let you know immediately if there is a problem.

Visit these sites for internet safety activities for your child:

NetSmartz Kids, iKeepSafe, SafeSurfingKids

6.  Install an internet filter or family safety software that will allow you to block websites or limit the amount of time your child may spend on the computer. Many later versions of Microsoft Windows already have these parental control features.

7.  Remind your child never to sign up for anything or enter an e-mail address without getting your permission first.

8.  Warn your child not to enter into conversations with strangers on websites or give out personal information (name, address, parents’ names, telephone number, etc.).

9.  Communicate with your child and help him feel comfortable enough to let you know when he thinks something is wrong.

10.  Share your child’s internet experiences with him. Explore Lesson Pathways together.  Not only does this make your child safer, but it’s also an excellent way for parents and children to spend time learning together.

Help the Lesson Pathways Community!

When each Pathway was created, every lesson and resource was chosen because it provided valuable educational content and did not contain objectionable material. Like any road or path, things change, and what was once a nice, family-friendly path may become a super highway on which you don’t want your child to travel.

If you find a website that contains objectionable materials or advertisements, please let us know!

Every Pathway and Stepping Stone page on the Lesson Pathways site has a box in the upper right-hand corner that may be used to flag inappropriate content  (see image on right).  Simply click the “Inappropriate” link while on that specific resource page and then write a sentence describing what you saw.  Our editors will quickly investigate and replace the resource with more suitable content.

Enjoy the Lesson Pathways journey with your child. Travel the Pathways together and be safe!