There is no question that the digital revolution is bringing about incredible learning opportunities. For the first time in history, students can explore the world right from their classroom. They can visit virtual museums, view live footage of distant lands, and talk to students from around the planet. Yet, as with almost every other technological advance, the Internet is being used for both noble causes and sinister schemes. In light of this reality, as schools learn how to take advantage of this technology, they must also find ways to keep their students safe while using this powerful tool.

In order to support this important effort, we are focusing this month’s Spotlight section on the topic of Internet safety. In our feature article, Virtual Concerns We Can`t Ignore: Challenges of Cyber Safety Education, Carolyn Wapole, M.S. Ed. of i-Safe.org shares education and intervention strategies for keeping students safe in cyberspace. Art Wolinsky of WiredSafety urges schools to build information literacy skills in their students and describes exciting new technology that allows teachers to incorporate Internet safety lessons into their history and literature curricula. Our Tips section features advice for parents on teaching children safe online behavior and our Top Ten Internet Safety Websites will guide you to countless articles, reports, lesson plans, and guidelines for schools on Internet safety.

Helping kids to harness the wonders of cyberspace while keeping them safe takes a team effort among parents, schools, and the entire community. We hope this issue will offer insight and lead you to helpful resources to address this important issue.