Operation of “Web Mimamori System” to Secure the Safety of Elementary School Students Searching the Internet

Abstract

　We developed a "Web Mimamori system" to ensure children's safety when searching the Internet and operated it in second- through sixth-grade classrooms to verify its effectiveness. This system can store URLs as Web logs on the server when children use the Internet with a browser. Classroom teachers and parents can check the Web logs at any time by accessing a dedicated Web site. The purpose is to refer to the Web logs and provide the necessary discussion and guidance with the children to help them think about the safety of their Internet use. The feedback from teachers and parents through surveys and interviews showed that this system can make the internet safer for children without severely limiting their learning. To make it work well, it's crucial for teachers, parents, and children to understand why it's being used, set internet usage rules, and use the logs to remind children about these rules when necessary.