Internet Safety for Children: Learn with Aesops Modern Fables

Well, now, let me tell ya somethin’ ’bout this here internet safety, the way I see it. It’s like a big ol’ forest, ya know? Lotsa pretty flowers and tasty berries, but also some sneaky snakes and grumpy bears. You gotta be careful out there, or you’ll get yourself bit or worse.

My grandbaby, she’s always fiddlin’ with that phone of hers, tappin’ and swipin’ like she’s churnin’ butter. And I tell ya, it worries me sick. Kids these days, they think they know it all, but they don’t know nothin’ ’bout the dangers lurkin’ out there in that cyber-world.

It’s like them old Aesop’s fables, you see? Them stories, they ain’t just for little kids. They teach ya life lessons, and them lessons, they still hold true today, even with all this fancy technology.

Remember that story ’bout the boy who cried wolf? Well, that’s just like them folks on the internet, always makin’ up stories and tryin’ to trick ya. They’ll tell ya you won a million dollars, or they’ll send ya pictures of cute puppies, but it’s all a big ol’ lie. They just want your money, or your information, or maybe somethin’ worse.

• Don’t talk to strangers: My mama always told me, “Don’t talk to strangers.” And that goes double for the internet. You don’t know who’s on the other end of that screen, could be anybody. Could be a nice old lady, or could be a creepy fella tryin’ to sweet-talk ya. So, best to just keep your mouth shut and don’t go sharin’ your business with nobody you don’t know.
• Don’t believe everything you see: Just like them shiny apples that look so good but got worms inside, the internet is full of things that ain’t what they seem. Pictures can be faked, stories can be made up, and people ain’t always who they say they are. So, ya gotta be smart and use your common sense. If somethin’ seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• Keep your personal stuff to yourself: You wouldn’t go shoutin’ your address and your birthday from the rooftop, would ya? Well, same goes for the internet. Don’t go sharin’ your personal information with nobody, ’cause you never know who’s listenin’. Keep your passwords safe, don’t tell nobody your secrets, and be careful what you post online.

And then there’s that story ’bout the tortoise and the hare. That one teaches ya that slow and steady wins the race. Well, that’s true for the internet too. Don’t be in a hurry to click on everythin’ you see. Take your time, think before you act, and don’t get caught up in all the excitement.

The internet, it can be a good thing, ya know? You can talk to your family, learn new things, and even watch funny cat videos. But ya gotta be careful, just like you would be in any other situation. Use your head, listen to your gut, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

There’s this book, I heard tell, called “Aesop for Children.” They say it’s got over 140 of them old fables. Maybe I should get my grandbaby one of them books. Might do her more good than all that tappin’ and swipin’ she does all day long.

And there’s lots and lots of them fables out there, even new ones for these modern times. They all teach ya somethin’, if ya just pay attention. They teach ya ’bout bein’ honest, bein’ kind, and bein’ careful. And them lessons, they’re just as important today as they were back in Aesop’s time.

So, next time you’re on that internet thingamajig, remember them old fables. Remember the boy who cried wolf, and the tortoise and the hare. And remember what your grandma told ya: be careful, be smart, and don’t talk to strangers. And for goodness sake, don’t go sharin’ your personal stuff with nobody!

It’s a wild world out there, both in the real world and on the internet. But if you keep your wits about you, and you remember the lessons from them old fables, you’ll be just fine. You’ll be able to navigate that cyber-forest without gettin’ lost or bit by a snake. And that’s the truth, as sure as I’m sittin’ here.

Remember that stories can teach ya things, even them made-up stories from hundreds of years ago. And if you listen to them lessons, you’ll be able to use that there internet safe and sound, just like you’re supposed to.

Tags: [Internet Safety, Aesop’s Fables, Online Safety, Children Safety, Critical Thinking, Fable Lessons, Modern Fables]