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For students, the school year means tons of book reports, term
papers and research work, but thanks to the Internet, a student’s
workload becomes easier and more manageable. With Internet cafés in
almost every street and the number of Internet users growing
exponentially every year, it can said that the Internet is
fast-becoming a staple educational resource.
But doing research via the Internet has a good
and a bad side. With an abundance of information that is readily
available and easily accessible, users, especially students, are
exposed to threats that are present online. There are also instances
where the youth, caught unaware, may be tempted to plagiarize or
download files that are not meant for sharing. It then becomes
important to educate the youth on cyber ethics and cyber safety.
This school year, students, educators and
parents have a partner in making the online experience safer and
more enriching. The Business Software Alliance (BSA), a non-profit
organization that aims to promote a safe and legal digital world has
created B4USurf, a resource website advocating cyber ethics and
cyber safety.
The student will find the website fun and
helpful with quizzes and games on the proper use of the Internet as
well as the dangers lurking in cyber space. Educators and parents
can also get valuable information from a wide array of resources
available on the site, which they may use to reinforce the value of
cyber ethics to their students and children.
www.b4usurf.org is the weblink that provides
access to resources that will contribute to fostering responsible
Internet usage. Tarun Sawney of the BSA enthused, “With B4USurf,
we are not only teaching students about rules, we are also taking
part in molding the youth into informed, honest and responsible
individuals.”
Sam Concepcion, DepEd role model for the youth
and official B4USurf spokesperson in the Philippines, encourages the
youth to check out the website. “We spend a lot of time online and
it’s good to know the proper way of using the Internet – this
way, using the Internet will not only be fun, but more importantly,
safe,” he said.
“To all students, educators and parents, this
website was made for you, to use as a guide whenever you go online,
and a resource center on cyber ethics and cyber safety. Your online
experience will soon be more enriching and secure,” Concepcion
added.
BSA (www.bsa.org) is dedicated to promoting a
safe and legal digital world, and fosters technology innovation
through education and policy initiatives that promote copyright
protection, cyber security, trade and e-commerce. Its members
represent one of the fastest growing industries in the world. In the
Philippines, the BSA maintains a Memorandum of Understanding with
the Philippine Software Industry Association, Philippine Internet
Services Organization, the Institute of Internal Auditors, the
Association of Government Internal Auditors, the Intellectual
Property Office of the Philippines, the Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team
and the Intellectual Property Coalition.
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