Can the Virginia Internet Safety Program Improve Fourth Graders' Internet Safety Knowledge?

The Virginia Internet safety program is the first statewide educational strategy to improve children's Internet safety. It aims to improve children's Internet safety knowledge through a developmentally appropriate and highly interactive online program. To assess the initial effect of this program, 1,379 fourth graders were assessed with a questionnaire covering ten aspects of Internet safety knowledge before and after they participated in the program. Before completing the program, a majority of students were found to have a substantial knowledge of Internet safety in eight of the ten aspects; however, less than half of the students chose the safe responses to two aspects and a noticeable number chose the " unsafe " answers, including 50 students who planned to meet strangers in person. After completing the program, students were found to improve their Internet safety knowledge significantly in nine of the ten aspects. However, 34 students still held the most risky attitude, planning to meet strangers in person.