Box 14.3 Illustrative "Best Practices" Scenarios For Schools In a "best practices" scenario for schools, the Internet and information technology are used to support learning and are integrated into the regular curriculum as tools for learning. Students--and parents--would actually read acceptable use policies (AUPs). Discussions about AUPs between students and parents would occur. Some instructional time would be spent on teaching students what it meant to comply with AUPs. Enforcement of AUPs would be sufficiently flexible that inadvertent violations would be seen as teaching opportunities rather than automatically being considered occasions for punishment. Internet safety instruction would be a prerequisite for school-provided Internet access. Some instruction in media literacy would be integrated into the curriculum at all levels as an essential dimension of scholarship and learning. Selected older students would serve as computer and Internet tutors and guides for younger students. Teachers would be offered professional development opportunities by their school district to understand the importance of media literacy on the Internet and how to teach it. The PTA would offer programs to parents or guardians wanting to know more about Internet safety and guidance on maintaining open communication between parents and adolescents.