Fifty-six percent would like to be able to view their children's schoolwork online, and 55 percent are interested in using the Internet to communicate with the local school board. The Internet has contributed to more positive attitudes toward learning. The Internet is becoming a routine tool for doing schoolwork. Forty percent of parents whose children are online say their children use the Internet at least once a week for general learning activities not connected with school. Based on the findings, we believe schools and families should work together to guide children to good content on the Internet, both in school and at home.
Early exposure helps build literacy and other cognitive skills.
We believe that the best use of technology is to improve education, and these findings confirm that using the Internet safely can help children learn without limits. Rather than set rules that might be too rigid, initiate conversations with teachers, administrators, and parents. Pay as much attention to highlighting good content as restricting bad content. Overzealous watchdog policies may inhibit Internet opportunities for students whose only access to the Internet is through school. Develop a plan to help schools, teachers, and parents educate children about safe, responsible Internet use.